An Author Without Borders

Sunil Ganguli popularly known as Sunil Gangopadhyay is one of the most celebrated novelists and poets of modern Bengali literature. His works of different genres have conquered the hearts of Bengali readers around the world. He was also a renowned poet of the post-modern era. Besides his creations Sunil edited poetry journals which created platforms for the new generation of Bengali poets. We remember this great literary figure on his 2nd death anniversary.

Sunil was born on September 7, 1934 in Faridpur district of East Bengal (now Bangladesh)
He studied in several colleges of Calcutta and completed Master's in Bengali from Calcutta University in 1954
After graduation, Sunil started writing for several magazines of Ananda Bazar Group of publishers
In 1953 Sunil launched a poetry magazine called Krittibas which became a platform for emerging poets

Sunil Gangopadhyay

Sunil became a close friend of American beat poet Allen Ginsberg when the later was travelling in India
Ginsberg mentioned Sunil in his famous poem “September on Jessore Road”
Sunil's historical fiction Shei Somoy continued to be the bestseller for more than two decades after its first publication
His other novels such as Prothom Alo and Purba Pashcim were also critically acclaimed

Despite his success in novels and prose, Sunil mentioned poetry as his first love
His Nikhilesh and Neera series of poems have been extremely popular
Sunil wrote in many other genres including travelogues, children's fiction, short stories, features and he was the creator of the juvenile icon Kakababu
Among his pen-names are: Nil Lohit, Sanatan Pathak, and Nil Upadhyay

Sunil achieved Shahitto Akademy Award in 1985 and Ananda Purashkar (Award) twice in 1972 and 1979
Satyajit Ray made two films Pratidwandi and Aranyer Din Ratri based on Sunil's works
Sunil authored over 200 books of fiction, prose and poetry
This literary genius died on October 23, 2013 following a heart attack