End of an Era: Sunil Gangopadhyay (1934-2012)

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With Sunil Gangopadhyay's death, earlier yesterday, an era in Bangla literature has come to an end. The author passed away at the age of 78.
Sunil -- a poet, novelist, short-story writer, journalist and columnist -- was born in Bangladesh's Faridpur district on September 7, 1934. He left for Kolkata along with his family at the age of four and did his masters from Kolkata University in 1954.
His first poetry collection, “Eka O Koyekjon”, hit the stalls in 1958 and his first novel, “Atmaprakash” followed after eight years.
Sunil also wrote under the pen names “Nillohit”, “Shonatan Pathok” and “Nil Upaddhyay”. He also held offices as presidents of India's national literary organisation Shahitya Academy and the Paschimbanga Shishu Kishore Academy.
His memorable works are “Ami Kirokombhabe Beche Achhi”, “Jugalbandi”, “Hothat Nirar Jonne”, “Ordhek Jibon”, “Aranyer Dinratri”, “Prothom Alo”, “Shei Shomoy”, “Purba Poshchim” and “Moner Manush”.
Satyajit Ray made films based on Sunil's “Aranyer Dinratri”, while Goutam Ghosh adapted his novel on Lalon, “Moner Manush”.
Sunil received the Ananda Puroshkar in 1972, Shahitya Academy Puroshkar in 1985, and The Hindu Literary Award in 2011 for his contributions to Bangla literature.

Selina Hossain
Renowned writer Selina Hossain knew Sunil Gangopadhyay personally and maintained a close relationship.
Recalling Sunil, Selina said, “I, along with Imdadul Haque Milon, met the writer this year on August 30 in Kolkata, where three Indian writers -- Sunil Gangopadhyay, Samaresh Majumdar and Prafulla Roy -- and three Bangladeshi writers -- Akhtaruzzaman Elias, Imdadul Haq Milon and I -- were conferred with the prestigious Surma Chowdhury Memorial International Award (by IIPM). Sunil spoke on art and litterateur at the award-giving programme. When I received a phone call this morning (yesterday), I could not restrain my emotions. I cannot gather my thoughts.
“I have known Sunil Gangopadhyay for over 30 years. I have been an avid fan of his writing. Sunil boldly depicted history, contemporary life and political scenario in many of his poems and novels. Say for example, 'Priyo Indira (Indira Gandhi), biman-er janalaye boshey Gujarat-er bonna dekhte jeyonako aar. E boro bhoyonkor khela...' In 'Chhobir Desh-e Kabitar Desh-e', Sunil adorably portrayed Paris and New York. His novel 'Shei Shomoy' beautifully provided insights into history while his classic 'Purba Poshchim” outlines our Liberation War and Nakshal Movement.
“In Bangla litterateur, Sunil Gangopadhyay will remain a North Star for his outstanding stories, poems, novels and literature for youngsters.
“It is a matter of pride for us, that Sunil was born in Bangladesh (Faridpur). The readers of Bangladesh placed Sunil Gangopadhyay in their hearts with utmost reverence and love and the late litterateur knew this very well.”

Mahadev Saha
Mahadev Saha, one of the leading romantic poets in contemporary Bangla literature, said about Sunil Gangopadhyay, “He was friendly and amicable. I visited him several times at his house in Kolkata and I enjoyed his hospitality. I last met him in the middle of last year, in Delhi (India). We were attending Sahitya Academy Festival.
“I consider him as one of the leading Bengali poets and novelists. He wrote more than 250 books. His writings are simple, easily understandable and poignant. He wrote in many genres, including travelogues, fiction for children, short stories, essays and more. Most of his writings are memorable for their superb contents. In poetry, Sunil Gangopadhyay was known for his unique style. Above all, for me, he was a poet.”

Rabiul Hussain
Noted poet Rabiul Hussain recalled Sunil Gangopadhyay: “I first met him in 1980, in Dhaka. He was very close to poet Belal Chowdhury. Chowdhury introduced me to him. He was very congenial and a great conversationalist. He visited my house in Dhanmondi several times. He published my poems in the literary magazine Desh. He attended the Ekushey Book Fair every year in Dhaka. During the '80s and '90s, he was very close to noted poets and writers of our country.
“I personally feel that it will be extremely difficult to fill the vacuum in Bangla literature after his unexpected death. Bangla literature has lost one of its guardians. Many poets emerged with his guidance.”

Pijush Bandopadhyay
Pijush Bandopadhyay, managing director of BFDC and noted actor, met Sunil Gangopadhyay for the first time in the 1980s. They had many fond memories together, as Pijush enacted one of Sunil's fictional characters, Mamun (of “Purba Poshchim”), in a serial produced in Kolkata.
“I heard the news early in the morning. I was aware of his recent ailment but never thought that he would leave us all so soon. I have many fond memories with him. From what I recall, during Durga Puja he loved to spend time at his Shantiniketan residence.
“I wish I could attend his funeral.
“Sunil-da and I got acquainted in the early 1980s. He used to come to my home whenever he was here, in Dhaka. We had great adda on many occasions.
“I came across all the reputed authors and litterateurs in Kolkata through him. Whenever I went there and needed something, I used to call him first.
“I played Mamun in a serial based on “Purba Poshchim”, in Kolkata. Sunil-da requested the director to cast me in the role.”

Hayat Saif
Hayat Saif, who emerged as a poet in the 1960s, knew Sunil Gangopadhyay personally and maintained a close relationship with the author over the decades.
About Gangopadhyay, Saif said, “Poet Belal Chowdhury is my close friend and Belal is a good friend of Sunil Gangopadhyay. That's how I met him.
“There are dissimilarities -- as well as similarities -- between Bengalis in Bangladesh and West Bengal (India). Sunil was a sturdy bridge that minimised the differences. He had no trace of narrow-mindedness in him. Very few writers can breathe life into history. Painstaking research and mastery over language are must for a writer to be able to bring history alive for his/her readers. Sunil became a legend because he could do this ably. A true legend is gone today (October 23).
“Sunil stepped into the realm of words with poetry though, and my affinity for him generated from my own poetic interests. This goes for both Sunil and Shakti Chattopadhyay.
“I remember, in 2003, I attended the International Poetry Festival of Medellín (Colombia) as a representative of Bangladesh. Sunil was representing India at the festival. We stayed at the same hotel. On the same stage, we recited our poems; translations (Spanish) of our poems were read out as well. Later, when Sunil wrote about this in his travelogue, he mentioned me.
“What I distinctly recall from that trip was his disciplined lifestyle. He used to set aside a certain time everyday for writing. No matter what, he would only write during this time.
“This is an irreparable loss for Bangla literature.”