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{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{Short description|Bengali-language novelist, short story writer, playwright, poet, and physician}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| title            =
| title             =
| name             = Balai Chand Mukhopadhyay
| relatives          = [[Arabinda Mukhopadhyay]] (brother)
| image             = Balai Chand Mukhopadhyay 1999 stamp of India.jpg
| awards             = *[[Rabindra Puraskar]]
| image_size       =  
*[[Sharat-Smriti Puraskar]]
| birth_date       = 19 July 1899
*[[Padma Bhushan]]
| birth_place       = [[Manihari]], [[Bengal Presidency]], [[British India]]
| name               = Balai Chand Mukhopadhyay
| death_date       = {{death date and age|1979|2|9|1899|7|19|df=y}}
| image             = Balai Chand Mukhopadhyay 1999 stamp of India.jpg
| death_place       = [[Calcutta]], [[West Bengal]], India
| image_size         =
| nationality      = Indian
| caption            = Mukhopadhyay on a 1999 Indian stamp
| alma_mater       = [[Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata|Calcutta Medical College]] <br/> [[Patna Medical College and Hospital]]
| alias              = Banaphul
| birth_date         = {{birth date|1899|7|19|df=y}}
| birth_place       = [[Manihari]], [[Purnia District]], [[Bengal Presidency]], [[British India]]
| death_date         = {{death date and age|1979|2|9|1899|7|19|df=y}}
| death_place       = [[Calcutta]], [[West Bengal]], India
| alma_mater         = [[Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata|Calcutta Medical College]] <br/> [[Patna Medical College and Hospital]]
| occupation        = Writer, poet, pathologist
| notable_works      = *''Dana'' (''Wings'')
*''Sthabar''
*''Trinakhanda''
}}
}}


'''Balai Chand Mukhopadhyay''' (19 July 1899 – 9 February 1979) was an Indian [[Bengali language|Bengali]]-language novelist, short story writer, playwright, poet, and physician who wrote under the pen name of '''Banaphul''' (meaning "the wild flower" in Bengali). He was a recipient of the civilian honour of the [[Padma Bhushan]].<ref name="Padma Awards">{{cite web|url=http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/LST-PDAWD-2013.pdf |title=Padma Awards |publisher=Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India |date=2015 |access-date=21 July 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6U68ulwpb?url=http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/LST-PDAWD-2013.pdf |archive-date=15 November 2014 }}</ref>
'''Balai Chand Mukhopadhyay''' (19 July 1899 – 9 February 1979) was an Indian [[Bengali-language]] writer, physician, and playwright, best known by his pen name '''Banaphul''', (meaning "Wild / Forest flower" in Bengali). His oeuvre spanned novels, poetry, plays, essays and over 400 short stories, the genre for which he is best remembered.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Chakrabarti |first=Kunal |title=Historical Dictionary of the Bengalis |last2=Chakrabarti |first2=Shubhra |date=2013 |publisher=[[Scarecrow Press]] |isbn=978-0-8108-5334-8 |series=Historical Dictionaries of Peoples and Cultures |location=Lanham |pages=61}}</ref> For his contribution to literature, he was awarded the [[List of Padma Bhushan award recipients (1970–1979)|Padma Bhushan]] in 1975, India's third-highest civilian honor.<ref name="Padma Awards">{{cite web|url=http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/LST-PDAWD-2013.pdf |title=Padma Awards |publisher=Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India |date=2015 |access-date=21 July 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151015193758/http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/LST-PDAWD-2013.pdf |archive-date=15 October 2015 }}</ref>


==Life==
==Life==
Mukhopadhyay was born in [[Manihari]] village of [[Purnia district]] (now [[Katihar]] District), [[Bihar]] on 19 July 1899. His family originally hailed from [[Sehakhala]] situated in [[Hooghly District]] of present-day [[West Bengal]].<ref>''BANAPHOOL RACHANABALI'' (VOL.16), MUKHOPADHYAY,  BALAICHAND, Granthagar Pvt. Ltd. , Calcutta, 1955, p. 3</ref> His father, Satyacharan Mukhopadhyay, was a doctor, and his mother was Mrinalini Devi. He originally took the pen name Banaphul ("the wild flower") to hide his literary activities from a disapproving teacher. He attended [[Hazaribag]] College and was later admitted in the [[Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata|Calcutta Medical College]]. He was assigned to [[Patna Medical College and Hospital]] after completing his medical degree, and later practised at Azimganj Hospital and worked as a pathologist at [[Bhagalpur]]. He moved to Lake Town, Calcutta, in 1968, and died there on 9 February 1979.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4858944.Banaful|title=Banaful ( of একশ বছরের সেরা গল্প)|work=[[Goodreads]]|access-date=25 May 2014}}</ref> He is the elder brother of famous Bengali film Director [[Arabinda Mukhopadhyay]].
Mukhopadhyay was born in [[Manihari]] village of [[Purnia district]] (now [[Katihar]] District), [[Bihar]] on 19 July 1899. His family originally hailed from [[Sehakhala]] situated in [[Hooghly District]] of present-day [[West Bengal]].<ref>''BANAPHOOL RACHANABALI'' (VOL.16), MUKHOPADHYAY,  BALAICHAND, Granthagar Pvt. Ltd., Calcutta, 1955, p. 3</ref> His father, Satyacharan Mukhopadhyay, was a doctor, and his mother was Mrinalini Devi. He originally took the pen name Banaphul ("the wild flower") to hide his literary activities from a disapproving teacher. He attended [[Hazaribag]] College and was later admitted, into the [[Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata|Calcutta Medical College]]. He moved to Lake Town, Calcutta, in 1968, and died there on 9 February 1979.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4858944.Banaful|title=Banaful ( of একশ বছরের সেরা গল্প)|work=[[Goodreads]]|access-date=25 May 2014}}</ref> He is the elder brother of famous Bengali film Director [[Arabinda Mukhopadhyay]].


==Literary works==
==Literary works==


He is most noted for his short [[Vignette (literature)|vignettes]], often just half-page long, but his body of work spanned sixty-five years and included "thousands of poems, 586 short stories (a handful of which have been translated to English),<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-06-13|title=Wildfire and Other Stories by Banaphool|url=https://www.purplepencilproject.com/wildfire-and-other-stories-by-banaphool-review/|access-date=2020-07-05|website=Purple Pencil Project|language=en-US}}</ref> 60 novels, 5 dramas, a number of one-act plays, an autobiography called ''Paschatpat'' (''Background''), and numerous essays."<ref>[http://www.indiaheritage.org/creative/creative_literature_bengali.htm Spectrum of Bengali literature (modern period)], ''Indiaheritage.org'', Retrieved 1 May 2007.</ref><ref>Ananta Ghosh, [http://www.bagc.net/newsletter2000-2.html Great writers], ''Bengali Association of Greater Chicago Newsletter'', Volume 25: Issue 2 : April 2000. Retrieved 1 May 2007.</ref>
He is best known for his short [[Vignette (literature)|vignettes]], which were often just half-page long, and centered on a single powerful moment with sharp observation and unconventional perspective,<ref name=":0" /> but his literary career spanned sixty-five years and included thousands of poems, over 586 short stories (a handful of which have been translated to English),<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-06-13|title=Wildfire and Other Stories by Banaphool|url=https://www.purplepencilproject.com/wildfire-and-other-stories-by-banaphool-review/|access-date=2020-07-05|website=Purple Pencil Project|language=en-US}}</ref> {{better source needed|date=April 2025}} 60 novels, 5 dramas, a number of one-act plays, an autobiography called ''Paschatpat'' (''Background''), and numerous essays."<ref>[http://www.indiaheritage.org/creative/creative_literature_bengali.htm Spectrum of Bengali literature (modern period)], ''Indiaheritage.org'', Retrieved 1 May 2007.</ref><ref>Ananta Ghosh, [http://www.bagc.net/newsletter2000-2.html Great writers] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602220035/http://www.bagc.net/newsletter2000-2.html |date=2 June 2021 }}, ''Bengali Association of Greater Chicago Newsletter'', Volume 25: Issue 2 : April 2000. Retrieved 1 May 2007.</ref> His short stories often revolve around a single, powerful moment, defined by sharp observation, unconventional perspectives, and exceptional storytelling.
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* ''[[Bhuvan Shome]]''
* ''[[Bhuvan Shome]]''
* ''[[Ekti Raat]]''
* ''[[Ekti Raat]]''
* ''[[Aarohi (film)]]'' (He received [[National Film Award for Best Story]])
* ''[[Alor Pipasa]]'' (1965)
* ''[[Alor Pipasa]]'' (1965)
* ''Hatey Bazarey''
* ''[[Hatey Bazarey]]''
* ''[[Arjun Pandit (1976 film)|Arjun Pandit]]'' (He received the [[Filmfare Award for Best Story]] for this film)
* ''[[Arjun Pandit (1976 film)|Arjun Pandit]]'' (He received the [[Filmfare Award for Best Story]] for this film)
* ''Tilottama''
* ''Tilottama''
* ''[[Paka Dekha]]''
* ''[[Paka Dekha]]''
* ''[[Ektu Sore Bosun]]'' (2023)
{{div col end}}
{{div col end}}


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==See also==
==See also==
*[[Bengali literature]]
*[[Bengali literature]]
*[[Binay Mukhopadhyay]]


==Further reading==
==Further reading==
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Mukhopadhyay, Balaichand}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mukhopadhyay, Balaichand}}
[[Category:Writers from Kolkata]]
[[Category:1899 births]]
[[Category:1899 births]]
[[Category:1979 deaths]]
[[Category:1979 deaths]]
[[Category:20th-century Bengali poets]]
[[Category:20th-century Bengali poets]]
[[Category:Bengali writers]]
[[Category:Poets from West Bengal]]
[[Category:Poets from West Bengal]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Rabindra Puraskar]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Rabindra Puraskar]]
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[[Category:Best Story National Film Award winners]]
[[Category:Best Story National Film Award winners]]
[[Category:20th-century pseudonymous writers]]
[[Category:20th-century pseudonymous writers]]
[[Category:Writers from West Bengal]]

Latest revision as of 11:26, 6 February 2026


Balai Chand Mukhopadhyay
Mukhopadhyay on a 1999 Indian stamp
Born(1899-07-19)19 July 1899
Manihari, Purnia District, Bengal Presidency, British India
Died9 February 1979(1979-02-09) (aged 79)
Calcutta, West Bengal, India
Other namesBanaphul
Alma materCalcutta Medical College
Patna Medical College and Hospital
OccupationWriter, poet, pathologist
Notable work
  • Dana (Wings)
  • Sthabar
  • Trinakhanda
RelativesArabinda Mukhopadhyay (brother)
Awards

Balai Chand Mukhopadhyay (19 July 1899 – 9 February 1979) was an Indian Bengali-language writer, physician, and playwright, best known by his pen name Banaphul, (meaning "Wild / Forest flower" in Bengali). His oeuvre spanned novels, poetry, plays, essays and over 400 short stories, the genre for which he is best remembered.[1] For his contribution to literature, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1975, India's third-highest civilian honor.[2]

Life[edit | edit source]

Mukhopadhyay was born in Manihari village of Purnia district (now Katihar District), Bihar on 19 July 1899. His family originally hailed from Sehakhala situated in Hooghly District of present-day West Bengal.[3] His father, Satyacharan Mukhopadhyay, was a doctor, and his mother was Mrinalini Devi. He originally took the pen name Banaphul ("the wild flower") to hide his literary activities from a disapproving teacher. He attended Hazaribag College and was later admitted, into the Calcutta Medical College. He moved to Lake Town, Calcutta, in 1968, and died there on 9 February 1979.[4] He is the elder brother of famous Bengali film Director Arabinda Mukhopadhyay.

Literary works[edit | edit source]

He is best known for his short vignettes, which were often just half-page long, and centered on a single powerful moment with sharp observation and unconventional perspective,[1] but his literary career spanned sixty-five years and included thousands of poems, over 586 short stories (a handful of which have been translated to English),[5] [better source needed] 60 novels, 5 dramas, a number of one-act plays, an autobiography called Paschatpat (Background), and numerous essays."[6][7] His short stories often revolve around a single, powerful moment, defined by sharp observation, unconventional perspectives, and exceptional storytelling.

Novels[edit | edit source]

  • Trinokhondo তৃণখণ্ড
  • Boitorini Tire বৈতরণীর তীরে
  • Niranjana নিরঞ্জনা
  • Bhuban Som ভুবন সোম
  • Maharani মহারাণী
  • Agnishwar অগ্নীশ্বর
  • Manaspur মানসপুর
  • Erao achhe এরাও আছে
  • Nabin Dutta নবীন দত্ত
  • Harishchandra হরিশ্চন্দ্র
  • Kichukshan কিছুক্ষণ
  • Se O Ami সে ও আমি
  • Saptarshi সপ্তর্ষি
  • Udai Asta উদয় অস্ত
  • Gandharaj গন্ধরাজ
  • Pitambarer Punarjanma পীতাম্বরের পুনর্জন্ম
  • Nayn Tatpurush নঞ তৎপুরুষ
  • Krishnapaksha কৃষ্ণপক্ষ
  • Sandhipuja সন্ধিপূজা
  • Hate Bajare হাটেবাজারে
  • Kanyasu কন্যাসু
  • Adhiklal অধিকলাল
  • Gopaldeber Swapna গোপালদেবের স্বপ্ন
  • Swapna Sambhab স্বপ্নসম্ভব
  • Kashti Pathar কষ্টিপাথর
  • Prachchhanna Mahima প্রচ্ছন্ন মহিমা
  • Dui Pathik দুই পথিক
  • Ratri রাত্রি
  • Pitamaha পিতামহ
  • Pakshimithun পক্ষীমিথুন
  • Tirther Kak তীর্থের কাক
  • Rourab রৌরব
  • Jaltaranga জলতরঙ্গ
  • Rupkatha ebang Tarpar রূপকথা এবং তারপর
  • Pratham Garal প্রথম গরল
  • Rangaturanga রঙ্গতুরঙ্গ
  • Ashabari আশাবারি
  • Li ৯
  • Sat Samudra Tero Nadi সাত সমুদ্র তেরো নদী
  • Akashbasi আকাশবাসী
  • Tumi তুমি
  • Asanglagna অসংলগ্ন
  • Simarekha সীমারেখা
  • Tribarna ত্রিবর্ণ
  • Alankarpuri অলংকারপুরী
  • Jangam জঙ্গম
  • Agni অগ্নি
  • Dwairath দ্বৈরথ
  • Mrigoya মৃগয়া
  • Nirmok নির্মোক
  • Mandanda মানদন্ড
  • Nabadiganta নবদিগন্ত
  • Koshtipathar কষ্টিপাথর
  • Sthabar স্থাবর
  • Bhimpalashri ভীমপলশ্রী
  • Pancha Parba পঞ্চপর্ব
  • Lakshmir Agaman লক্ষ্মীর আগমণ
  • Dana ডানা

Short stories[edit | edit source]

  • Pratibaad
  • swadhinata
  • "Bonofuler Golpo"
  • "Bonofuler Aro Golpo"
  • "Bahullo"
  • "Bindu Bishorgo"
  • "Adrisholok"
  • "Anugamini"
  • "Tonni"
  • "Nobomonjori"
  • "Urmimala"
  • "Soptomi"
  • "Durbin"
  • "Bonofuler Sreshto Golpo"
  • "Bonofuler Golpo Songroho-1"
  • "Bonofuler Golpo Songroho-2"
  • "Banaphooler Chhoto Galpa Samagra—1 & 2"
  • "Fuldanir Ekti Ful"

Film adaptation of his literature[edit | edit source]

Postage stamp[edit | edit source]

On the 100th anniversary of his birth, the Government of India issued a postage stamp featuring his image.[8]

See also[edit | edit source]

Further reading[edit | edit source]

  • বনফুলের ছোট গল্প সমগ্র (Complete Short Stories of Banaphul), published by Banishilpa, Kolkata in January 2003
  • উপন্যাস সমগ্র (Complete Novels), published by New Bengal Press (Private) Limited, Kolkata in July 1999
  • পশ্চাৎপট (Background), the autobiography of Banaphul, published by Banishilpa, Kolkata in 1999

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Chakrabarti, Kunal; Chakrabarti, Shubhra (2013). Historical Dictionary of the Bengalis. Historical Dictionaries of Peoples and Cultures. Lanham: Scarecrow Press. p. 61. ISBN 978-0-8108-5334-8.
  2. ↑ "Padma Awards" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 October 2015. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
  3. ↑ BANAPHOOL RACHANABALI (VOL.16), MUKHOPADHYAY, BALAICHAND, Granthagar Pvt. Ltd., Calcutta, 1955, p. 3
  4. ↑ "Banaful ( of একশ বছরের সেরা গল্প)". Goodreads. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
  5. ↑ "Wildfire and Other Stories by Banaphool". Purple Pencil Project. 13 June 2020. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  6. ↑ Spectrum of Bengali literature (modern period), Indiaheritage.org, Retrieved 1 May 2007.
  7. ↑ Ananta Ghosh, Great writers Archived 2 June 2021 at the Wayback Machine, Bengali Association of Greater Chicago Newsletter, Volume 25: Issue 2 : April 2000. Retrieved 1 May 2007.
  8. ↑ India, 1999 Archived 29 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine. Postbeeld.com, Retrieved 1 May 2007.

External links[edit | edit source]

Template:National Film Award Best Story

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