Forgotten Citizens of Calcutta

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Back of the Book The younger generation may find it difficult to identify Manmathanath Ghosh without having known the history of Bengal's renaissance in the 19th century. Manmathanath was born into the illustrious Ghosh family of Simulia in Calcutta on September 18, 1884. His grandfather Girishchandra was the founder and editor of 'Hindu Patriot' and `Bengalee'. His father Atulchandra was well-versed in several languages and made his mark as translator of poem and plays. Manmathanath's mother Surabata, the grandfather of the famous orator - patriot Kishorichand Mitra, had also to her credit a book of verses, Madhura.

Nurtured in a rarefied atmosphere of intellect and culture, Manmathanath found it easy to develop his own potentialities. A brilliant student all through he did his M.A. in mathematics in 1905. Curiously, his interests went far beyond mathematics into history, literature and philosophy. It was literature that seized him most securely. In fact, his involvement with literature a major reason of his covetable service in Survey of India in 1937.

As writer, Manmathanath made his debut in Sahitya where Sureschandra Samajpati was the editor, subsequently; his writings were published in many other contemporary magazines including Yamuna, Masik Basumati and Bhartbarsha. Though Manmathanath had tried his hand in poetry and short story, he was most successful as essayist and biographer. His biographical works run into several volumes capturing several stalwarts of contemporary Bengal.

Apart from the acclaim he had won for his literary efforts, Manmathanath received recognition for his other abilities at different quarter. He was selected Fellow of Royal Statistical and Royal Economic Society, London, in 1914. The University of Calcutta appointed him examiner for the subject of Bengali for Matriculation, Intermediate and B.A. examinations. He was also honored by the University of Dacca where he was an examiner of these in English at the postgraduate level. Outside universities he was closely connected with several culture and literary organizations such as Bangiya Sahitya Parishad, Federation Hall, Kidderpore Hemchandra Pathagar and Samajpati Smriti Samiti.

The versatile Manmathanath died in Calcutta on April 7, 1959. The best tribute we can pay him now would be the re-publication of his works as has been suggested by Sukumar Sen, Bhabatosh Dutta and many other celebrities of today.

Book's Contents and Sample Pages