Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay is one among the most popular Bengali writers. His works reflect the construct and the condition of contemporary Bengali society. His writing style was lucid and intelligible to one and all. He has to his credit such prestigious awards as the 'Jaggattarini Svarna Padak', the 'Kuntalin Puraskar', honorary D Litt by the University of Dhaka and the prestigious membership of the Bangiya Shahitya Parishad. He had played an important role in the non-cooperation movement, which was waged against the British government in India.
Writing Style of Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay
The distinct feature of his novels and short stories was that most of them had a women-centric plot. His treatment of the women characters revealed his clarified knowledge of women and their importance in building society. The lucid picture of countryside, of the early twentieth century Bengali Hindu community, the effect of urbanization, and the youth all accounted for the topic of his writings. His writing style was considerably influenced by the Charles Dicken's writings.
Chattopadhyay experimented with different forms of writings ranging from novels, short stories, novelas and even theater. He was one of the first to break away from the tradition of writing in Sanskritized Bengali or 'Shadhu Bangla'. Poetry was given no importance in his works and this meant that he was little affected by other contemporary writers such as, Rabindranath Tagore and Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay.
Significant Works of Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay
- Adhare Alo
- Ardhangi
- Abhimaan Bojha
- Anupamer Prem
- Chandranather Balyakatha
- Devdas
- Baikunther Will
- Parineeta
- Swami
- Goyna
- Deeksha
- Pashan
- Panditmoshai
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- Mejdidi
- Bordidi
- Birajbou
- Shesh Proshno
- Choritroheen
- Srikanto (In Four Parts)
- Nishkriti/Griho Daho
- Datta
- Polli Shomaj
- Naba Bidhan
- Shesh Nibedon
- Dena Paona
- Pather Dabi
- Ramer Shumoti
Apart from his novels and short stories, he also wrote a number of essays and composed children's' literature. He had worked with the magazine, 'Shishu'. Many of his works were posthumously published and this includes Shesher Parichay, Chelebelar Golpo and Shubhoda.
Films Adopted from Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay Novels
Many of the Sharat Chandra novels have been of great interest to filmmakers. Devdas, Bordidi, Mejdidi, Parineeta, Srikanto, Ponditmoshai have been made into Bengali feature films. Devdas deserves special mention as it has been made and remade into films more than four times. However, the versions of the films differ to some extent from the original plot.
Early Life and Profession of Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay
The Calcutta based author, Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay was born on the 15th of September 1876 to a family of modest background in Devanandapore Village of Hoogly District. In course of time, the financial distress of the family had taken a toll on his education and upbringing. When his father went onto Bihar after selling their home, he was sent off to the house of his maternal grandparents along with the rest of the family. After completing his matriculation examination from TN Collegiate School, he studied English literature from Tej Narayan Jubilee College. Unfortunately, he had to give up his studies half way through due to dire financial condition of the family. He was talented and took keen interest in acting, music and even paintings. By profession, he earned differently at different points in his life, first as an assistant settlement officer, then as translator and a clerk.
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