Eminent Bengali writer Buddhadeb Guha dies at 85
Kolkata Aug 30 PTI Eminent Bengali writer Buddhadeb Guha author of many notable works such as Madhukari Honey Gatherer has died He was 85Guha died of post-Covid complications at a private hospital here at 1125 pm on Sunday after a massive cardiac arrest family members saidThe writer whose works of fiction reflected his closeness to nature and forests of eastern India had been hospitalised earlier this month after complaining of breathlessness and urinary infection they saidHe had earlier contracted COVID-19 in April and was hospitalised for 33 daysBuddhadev Guha is no more He was blessed as to be one with the Divine on the night of Janmashtami Lord Krishnas birthday 2021 Do join his family and friends in celebrating his life his elder daughter Maleni B Guhaa said in a social media message Guha was predeceased by wife eminent Rabindra Sangeet exponent Ritu Guha in 2001 He leaves behind two daughtersWest Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condoled the demise of Guha describing him as one of the foremost writers in Bengali literature whose death will leave a voidBuddhadeb Guha will be remembered for Koeler Kachhe Kojagar Ektu Usnotar Jonyo Madhukari Jangalmahal Choroibeti and other books He is the creator of two popular fictional characters in Bengali literature Ribhu and Rijuda Banerjee said in a condolence messageShe offered her condolences to the bereaved family and his countless readers Born on June 29 1936 in Kolkata Guha had spent his childhood in Rangpur and Barisal districts of East Bengal now Bangladesh His childhood experiences and travels left a deep imprint on him which were reflected in his works later onHis novels and short stories have been highly acclaimed by critics winning him fans across the sub-continent and several awards including Ananda Purashkar in 1976 Shiroman Purashkar and Sharat PuraskarThe writers important works besides Madhukari include Koeler Kachhe Near the Koel river and Sobinoy Nibedon Humble OfferingAn award-winning Bengali film Dictionary was also made based on two of his works – Baba Howa Being a Father and Swami Howa Being a HusbandHe was a popular childrens writer too creating the fictional character Rijuda a hunter-turned-conservationist and his side-kick RudraRupa Majumdar Editor of Nabakallol and Shuktara magazines and director of publishing house Dev Sahitya Kutir whose magazine recently serialised Guhas childhood memories in story form said He was a colossus a literary star people used to come just to watch him when he would visit our stall at any book fair His books some of which we published were all best-sellers Added Sabitendranath Roy author publisher and a friend of Guha He was a great writer and good friend We used to enjoy his addas conversations Whenever we met our chats always ended with him singing he was god-gifted in many ways Majumdar said it was the duty of the publishing world and his heirs to have Guhas works translated into other languages including English so that the world at large realises his genius which is so well recognised in Bengali literatureA successful charted accountant Guha was also a noted classical singer and a proficient illustrator PTI SUS JRC RBT RBT
Kolkata Aug 30 PTI Eminent Bengali writer Buddhadeb Guha author of many notable works such as Madhukari Honey Gatherer has died He was 85Guha died of post-Covid complications at a private hospital here at 1125 pm on Sunday after a massive cardiac arrest family members saidThe writer whose works of fiction reflected his closeness to nature and forests of eastern India had been hospitalised earlier this month after complaining of breathlessness and urinary infection they saidHe had earlier contracted COVID-19 in April and was hospitalised for 33 daysBuddhadev Guha is no more He was blessed as to be one with the Divine on the night of Janmashtami Lord Krishnas birthday 2021 Do join his family and friends in celebrating his life his elder daughter Maleni B Guhaa said in a social media message Guha was predeceased by wife eminent Rabindra Sangeet exponent Ritu Guha in 2001 He leaves behind two daughtersWest Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condoled the demise of Guha describing him as one of the foremost writers in Bengali literature whose death will leave a voidBuddhadeb Guha will be remembered for Koeler Kachhe Kojagar Ektu Usnotar Jonyo Madhukari Jangalmahal Choroibeti and other books He is the creator of two popular fictional characters in Bengali literature Ribhu and Rijuda Banerjee said in a condolence messageShe offered her condolences to the bereaved family and his countless readers Born on June 29 1936 in Kolkata Guha had spent his childhood in Rangpur and Barisal districts of East Bengal now Bangladesh His childhood experiences and travels left a deep imprint on him which were reflected in his works later onHis novels and short stories have been highly acclaimed by critics winning him fans across the sub-continent and several awards including Ananda Purashkar in 1976 Shiroman Purashkar and Sharat PuraskarThe writers important works besides Madhukari include Koeler Kachhe Near the Koel river and Sobinoy Nibedon Humble OfferingAn award-winning Bengali film Dictionary was also made based on two of his works – Baba Howa Being a Father and Swami Howa Being a HusbandHe was a popular childrens writer too creating the fictional character Rijuda a hunter-turned-conservationist and his side-kick RudraRupa Majumdar Editor of Nabakallol and Shuktara magazines and director of publishing house Dev Sahitya Kutir whose magazine recently serialised Guhas childhood memories in story form said He was a colossus a literary star people used to come just to watch him when he would visit our stall at any book fair His books some of which we published were all best-sellers Added Sabitendranath Roy author publisher and a friend of Guha He was a great writer and good friend We used to enjoy his addas conversations Whenever we met our chats always ended with him singing he was god-gifted in many ways Majumdar said it was the duty of the publishing world and his heirs to have Guhas works translated into other languages including English so that the world at large realises his genius which is so well recognised in Bengali literatureA successful charted accountant Guha was also a noted classical singer and a proficient illustrator PTI SUS JRC RBT RBT
