Asim Bando's KOLKATA BLOG

 

 

>   In the year 1822, on this day, a weekly Bengali newspaper 'Samachar Chandrika' was founded from Calcutta.  It was first published by Babu Bhabani Charan Bandyopadhyay on 15th March, 1822.  It was an orthodox Hindu newspaper of the Dharma Sabha.  It campaigned against social reforms including the ban on Sati by Lord William Bentinck.  It was published for over 60 years. Pic: The first page of 'Samachar Chandrika' published on 14.2.1877

In the year 1812, on this day, Ishwar Chandra Gupta was born at Kanchrapara of West Bengal in a Baidya family. He was brought up in his uncle's house after the death of his mother. Gupta spent most of his childhood in Kolkata. At that time, poets were named  Kobiwala  and the  kobiwalas  were not so civilized in language. Sexual words and clashes were common. But Ishwar Chandra Gupta created a different style of poetry. He started the newspaper Samvad Prabhakar  with Jogendra Mohan Tagore on January 28, 1831, which finally became a daily on June 4, 1839. Many Bengali writers of the 19th century started their careers with that magazine. He reintroduced into Bengali poetry the mediaeval style with double meaning (already seen in Sandhyakar Nandi and Bharatchandra): কে বলে ঈশ্বর গুপ্ত, ব্যপ্ত চরাচর, যাহার প্রভায় প্রভা পায় প্রভাকর। Ke bole Ishwar Gupta, byapta charachar, Jahar prabhaye prabha paye Prabhakar. 'Ishwar' means God, 'Gupta' means hidden and 'Pra...

In the year 1895, on this day, Nibhanani Devi - the prominent actress of yesteryears who reigned Bengali drama stage and silver screen of both silent and talkie era, was born. She stepped on stage only when she was six years old, escorted by her mom's friend Chunibala Devi (the famous Indir Thakrun of Ray's 'Pather Panchali' movie). Nibhanani Devi's first popular drama was 'Balidan' (written by Girish Ghosh). She joined in Calcutta radio station in the year 1930. Gradually she became accomplished with songs and dances. She owned fame first in the movie 'Chirakumar Sabha' (written by Tagore). Within the span of 50 years of active film career, she acted in 350 movies. Her last movie was 'Rater Rajanigandha', a Bengali popular film (the photo here) with actress Aparna Sen, released in the year 1973. Five years later, she has died in the year 1978, at the age of 83. href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh...