‘Towering figure in Bengali literature’: Tributes pour in for Sankar
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote on X, “I am deeply saddened by the passing away of renowned Bengali writer Mani Shankar Mukherjee (Shankar). With his passing, a bright star in the world of Bengali literature has fallen.
Eminent Bengali writer Mani Shankar Mukherjee passed awayat the age of 92 on Friday. He was suffering from age-related issues and was admitted to a private hospital in Kolkata recently. Mani Shankar’s last rites were completed at Keoratala crematorium on Friday night, without any grandeur, in line with his request to his family.
Condoling his demise, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on his X handle, “Deeply saddened by the passing of Shri Mani Shankar Mukhopadhyay Ji, fondly known as Shankar. He was a towering figure in Bengali literature whose words portrayed the lives of people with sensitivity and insight. Through his unforgettable works, he impacted generations of readers and enriched India’s literary world. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and countless admirers. Om Shanti.”
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote on X, “I am deeply saddened by the passing away of renowned Bengali writer Mani Shankar Mukherjee (Shankar). With his passing, a bright star in the world of Bengali literature has fallen.
“From Chowringhee to Kato Ajanare, from Seemabaddha to Jana Aranya – his timeless creations have fascinated Bengali readers for generations. His writings have revealed the untold stories of the common man’s struggle for life. His in-depth research and books, especially on Swami Vivekananda, are invaluable resources to us. His passing is an irreparable loss to our cultural world. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family and countless admirers.”
Union minister and BJP leader Sukanta Majumder also wrote on his X handle, “I am deeply saddened by the passing of Mani Shankar Mukherjee (Shankar), one of the most popular writers of Bengal. His outstanding literary works – Chowringhee, Jana Aranya, Kumkum Prabhu, etc., have enriched the reading community of Bengal and inspired generation after generation. His literary works will remain forever remembered as a priceless treasure of our cultural heritage. I pray to the merciful God for the eternal peace of his departed soul and express my sincere condolences to his bereaved family and countless admiring readers.”
Eminent writer Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay said, “I can remember his smiling face. He was very humble and never placed himself as a great writer. I think his best novel was Nivedita Research Laboratory.”
Mukherjee was born in Bongaon under the present-day North 24 Parganas district in 1933, but started residing in Howrah in his childhood. He worked as a clerk and a hawker during his teenage years after losing his father. He then started working with British barrister Noyel Fredrick Burwell. Mukherjee wrote his first novel, Kato Ajanarey, based on his stint with Burwell. It became a bestseller, and after that, he penned several other bestsellers. He was conferred with the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award in 2021.
Atri Mitra is a highly accomplished Special Correspondent for The Indian Express, bringing over 20 years of experience to his reporting. His work is characterized by deep regional knowledge and a focus on critical administrative and political developments, establishing strong Expertise and Authority in his domain.
Experience
Current Role: Special Correspondent, The Indian Express.
Decades of Experience: Over two decades of extensive reporting experience, primarily covering administration and political news.
Geographical Focus: Holds significant reporting experience from West Bengal, Bihar, and the North-East, providing a comprehensive understanding of the socio-political landscape in these regions.
Key Coverage: Has dedicated more than ten years to covering administration and political news, with a keen focus on political developments in West Bengal.
Electoral Reporting: Demonstrated a commitment to crucial political moments, having covered the 2009 Lok Sabha election and 2010 assembly elections during his time at Anandabazar Patrika, and the 2019 Bihar Lok Sabha election while working with News18-Bangla.
Career Foundation: Began his career at the leading vernacular daily Anandabazar Patrika, where he worked for more than fifteen years, including a three-year stint as the Bihar correspondent.
Education
Advanced Degree: Holds a Master's degree in Economics from Rabindrabharati University, providing an analytical framework for his political and administrative reporting.
Undergraduate Education: Holds a Bachelor's degree from Calcutta University.
Prestigious Alumni: His educational background includes attending esteemed institutions: he is an alumnus of St. Xavier's, Kolkata and Ramakrishna Mission Asrama, Narendrapur.
Atri Mitra's decades of dedicated reporting, substantial focus on political and administrative beats, and solid academic credentials make him a trusted and authoritative source for news and analysis from Eastern and North-Eastern India. ... Read More
