Words Worth

Sobriety, humility and simplicity looked pleased as the living legend carried them along in his journey of success.

Renowned Bengali writer Sunil Gangopadhyay feels that people need to be optimistic about globalisation and culture will survive on its own

Sobriety, humility and simplicity looked pleased as the living legend carried them along in his journey of success. Sunil Gangopadhyay, the doyen of Bengali literature with unassuming looks and pleasant countenance, is a man who has learnt to take success in his stride. Born in Faridpur, the 74-year-old Bengali writer, who also happens to be the president of Sahitya Academy, was felicitated by the Bangiya Sanskriti Samsad BSS, in Pune recently. A prolific writer, Sunil Gangopadhyay has authored more than 200 books and experimented with different genres, which include travelogues, children8217;s fictions, poems, features, essays and short stories. He is one of those distinguished writers whose stories- Aranyer Din Ratri and Arjun, Pratidwandi have been made into films by Satyajit Ray.

8220;I started writing in my youth because when you are young you are sensitive. You fall in love, you feel the pain and then you automatically start writing,8221; smiles he. But at the same time, he expresses concern over the indifferent attitude of the younger generation towards Bengali literature, 8220;Learning English is very good as well as very important in today8217;s scenario. Even knowledge of Hindi is much required but at the same time mothertongue should not be neglected. In fact the responsibility lies with the parents to create an interest among the children towards the literature.8221;

The audience at the felicitation ceremony sat enchanted as a famous play of the author Praner Prahari was enacted by some of the members of BSS. While the playwright watched the play in rapt attention quietly appreciating the effort, the audience marveled at his sensitivity towards human emotions and lucid expressions in writing. An institution in himself, the writer started his career with poetry, however, in a candid confession he shares, 8220;I was flabbergasted when I was asked to pen down my first novel. I did not know from where to start. It was then that I met an American writer who suggested that writing a novel is very easy. Just remember a date of your life and all that you did on that day. You8217;ll get the idea for your story.

Taking heed of his suggestion I have used this technique many times.8221; The writer8217;s first novel was Atmaprakash. Some of his famous works include Aranyer din- ratrithe days and nights of the forest, Sei Som oi, Prothom Alo first light, Purush, Yubok Yubotira The Youth, Kakababu series, Bondhubandhoban unusual work on friendship among others. Talking about his love for Pune, Gangopadhyay says, 8220;I have been coming to Pune since many years. Earlier it was not as crowded as it is now. Pune has always been a cultural and educational hub but today it has progressed in terms of industry as well. These days we have ample number of people complaining about globalisation taking its toll on cultural identities. We should not be afraid of globalisation. Life goes on. If a culture dies with the pressure of globalisation, let it die. A culture exists on its intrinsic strength. Don8217;t be pessimistic. Strong cultures will survive8221;, concludes the legend.