Saratchandra Chattopadhyay Remembered on His 150th Birth Anniversary

150th Birth Anniversary of Saratchandra Chattopadhyay

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to renowned Bengali writer Saratchandra Chattopadhyay on his 150th birth anniversary. 
• Saratchandra Chattopadhyay was born on 15 September 1876 in Debanandapur, Hooghly, Bengal Presidency. 
• He passed away on 16 January 1938 in Kolkata, at the age of 61. 
• He was among the most influential Bengali novelists and short-story writers of the early 20th century. 
• His writings are noted for their social realism, psychological depth and empathy towards marginalised sections of society. 
• His literary works offered a sensitive portrayal of 19th-century Indian society, particularly rural Bengal. 
• His writings addressed issues such as: 
  • Patriarchy and gender inequality. 
  • Caste discrimination. 
  • Superstition and social orthodoxy. 
  • Rigid social customs and traditions. 
  • Social inequality and human dignity. 
• His works gave considerable importance to women's experiences and agency, portraying widows, courtesans and independent women with emotional depth and dignity. 
• His major literary works include: 
  • Parineeta (1914) 
  • Devdas (1917) 
  • Srikanta (1917–1933) 
  • Charitraheen (1917) 
  • Pather Dabi (1926) 
  • Biraj Bou 
  • Nishkriti 
  • Sesh Prashna 
• Pather Dabi (1926) dealt with revolutionary resistance against British colonial rule and was banned by the colonial government. 
• His writings reflected the broader influence of the Indian freedom movement and nationalist politics. 
• Saratchandra was associated with the Indian National Congress and served as President of the Howrah District Congress Committee from 1921 to 1936. 
• He also participated in activities associated with the Non-Cooperation Movement and grassroots mobilisation. 

• He moved to Burma (present-day Myanmar) in 1903 and worked in Rangoon for nearly a decade before returning to Bengal in 1916.

   

PRELIMS MCQ 

Q. With reference to Saratchandra Chattopadhyay, consider the following statements: 

1-Pather Dabi was associated with revolutionary resistance against British colonial rule and was banned by the colonial government. 

2-Saratchandra served as the President of the Howrah District Congress Committee during the period when the Non-Cooperation Movement emerged. 

3-His literary works were primarily concerned with elite urban Bengali society and largely avoided questions of caste, patriarchy and women's agency. 

4-He spent a significant part of his early professional life in Burma before returning to Bengal. 

Which of the statements given above are correct? 

(a) 1 and 2 only 

(b) 1, 2 and 4 only 

(c) 2, 3 and 4 only 

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 

Answer: (b) 1, 2 and 4 only 

Explanation: 

Statements 1, 2 and 4 are correct. Pather Dabi depicted revolutionary resistance and was banned by the colonial government. Saratchandra served as President of the Howrah District Congress Committee from 1921 to 1936, overlapping with the Non-Cooperation Movement. He also lived and worked in Burma from 1903 before returning to Bengal. 

Statement 3 is incorrect because his writings prominently addressed social inequalities, patriarchy, caste discrimination and women's experiences, particularly in relation to Bengali society.