Kolkata, 20 February (H.S.): Eminent Bengali author Shankar, born as Mani Shankar Mukherjee, passed away on Friday at the age of 92. He breathed his last at a private hospital due to age-related ailments. He is survived by his two daughters.

Shankar was widely acclaimed for transforming the seemingly ordinary realities of urban life into timeless literary narratives. Several of his works were adapted for the screen by legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray, notably Seemabaddha and Jana Aranya, which became part of Ray’s celebrated Calcutta trilogy.------

‘Chowringhee’ Brought Him Widespread Fame

A recipient of the Sahitya Akademi Award, Shankar is best remembered for his iconic novel Chowringhee, which established him as a household name. Inspired by rain-soaked Kolkata and the neon-lit grandeur of the Grand Hotel, the novel opened the doors of the fictional Shahjahan Hotel to readers, vividly portraying the city’s elite culture, business intrigues, and human vulnerabilities.

The novel was adapted into a successful Bengali film in 1968 and was translated into several Indian and foreign languages, significantly expanding his readership.

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A Bridge Between Literature and Cinema

Shankar’s works formed a strong bridge between literature and cinema. In addition to Seemabaddha and Jana Aranya, his novel Man Samman was adapted into the Hindi film Sheesha. Over time, he became one of the rare Bengali authors whose fiction seamlessly transitioned from page to screen.

He began his professional career as a clerk to Noel Barwell, the last English barrister practising at the Calcutta High Court. In an effort to honour his mentor, he wrote Kato Ajanare, marking the formal beginning of his literary journey.

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Diverse Literary Contributions

Though primarily known for his urban narratives, Shankar’s literary contributions extended far beyond that realm. He wrote extensively for younger readers and produced memoirs blending nostalgia with social commentary. His later works included deeply researched writings on Swami Vivekananda, exploring both the spiritual and human dimensions of the revered monk.

In 2021, he was conferred the Sahitya Akademi Award for his autobiographical work Eka Eka Ekashi. His books have been translated into English, Hindi, Malayalam, Gujarati, French, and Spanish, ensuring a broad and diverse readership.

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Chief Minister Expresses Condolences

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed deep sorrow over his demise, describing him as “one of the brightest stars of Bengali literature” and calling his passing an irreparable loss to the cultural world.

With Shankar’s death, Bengal has lost not just a bestselling novelist but a chronicler of post-Independence urban India, whose works captured the aspirations, conflicts, and moral dilemmas of society with rare sensitivity and insight.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh