Sunil Gangopadhyay

Sunil Gangopadhyay (1934–2012) was an eminent Indian poet, novelist, short story writer, and critic, recognized as one of the most prolific and influential figures in modern Bengali literature. Born in Faridpur, British India (now Bangladesh), he co-founded the avant-garde poetry magazine Krittibas in 1953, which became a platform for a new generation of Bengali poets. Gangopadhyay authored over 200 books across various genres, including poetry, fiction, and non-fiction, often writing under pen names like Nil Lohit. He was a recipient of prestigious awards such as the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1985 for his novel Those Days (Sei Samaya) and the Ananda Puraskar multiple times. His works, including Those Days: A Novel, Soiled Clothes, and the two-volume Purbo-Paschim (East-West), explore diverse facets of Bengali life and history. He also created the popular children's character Kakababu.