Bankim Chandra Chatterjee
- Context: The Prime Minister paid tribute to Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay a renowned litterateur and nationalist thinker on the occasion of his birth anniversary.
About Bankim Chandra Chatterjee
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- Bankim Chandra Chatterjee was born on June 26, 1838, in Naihati, West Bengal.
- His famous novel ‘Anandamath’ which was later banned by the British was based on the Sannyasi Rebellion.
- This novel evoked a sense of patriotism and became closely associated with India’s freedom struggle.
- India’s national song, “Vande Mataram,” was taken from the novel ‘Anandamath’; it served as a powerful slogan during the freedom struggle.
Notable Works
- ‘Rajmohan’s Wife’ was the first English novel written by an Indian.
His well-known Bengali novels include:
- Durgeshnandini (1865)
- Kapalkundala (1866)
- Vishavriksha (1873)
- These literary works addressed important social issues such as women’s rights, child marriage, and caste discrimination.
- His renowned religious work is ‘Krishna Charitra’.
Role in the Bengal Renaissance
- In 1872, Bankim launched a literary magazine named ‘Bangadarshan’.
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- This magazine helped propagate Bengali nationalism and fostered literary and cultural growth.
- Bankim wanted the magazine ‘Bangadarshan’ to serve the purpose of bridging the gap between the educated and the common people, as well as strengthening the Bengali identity.
- Rabindranath Tagore was deeply impressed by the magazine; he later revived it and used it to publish nationalist ideas and writings.
