From Chowringhee to Jana Aranya: Legendary Bengali writer Shankar dies at 92

Renowned Bengali writer Mani Shankar Mukherjee, better known by his pen name Shankar, died on Friday at the age of 92. He was suffering from age-related illnesses and was undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Kolkata, according to his family members.

The death of the renowned writer brings an end to a very important era in modern Bengali literature. Shankar’s novels portrayed the hopes, fears and moral dilemmas of the urban Indian middle class. His writings were characterised by his keen observation of society and in-depth research.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Union Minister Sukanta Majumder condoled the death of the writer, calling him a towering figure in Bengali literature.

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In a post on X, Banerjee said, “I am deeply shocked and saddened by the passing of the renowned Bengali litterateur Mani Shankar Mukhopadhyay (Shankar). His death marks the fall of one of the brightest stars in the world of Bengali literature."

She further added, "From Chowringhee to Koto Ajanaare, from Seemabaddha to Jana Aranya—his timeless creations have enchanted generations of Bengali readers. Through his pen, the untold stories of the struggles of ordinary people came vividly to life. His profound research and works on Swami Vivekananda, in particular, remain an invaluable treasure for us. His demise is an irreparable loss to our cultural world.”

Union Minister and BJP leader Sukanta Majumder said Shankar’s writings would remain a permanent part of Bengal’s cultural heritage, adding that novels such as Chowrangi and Jana Aranya continue to inspire readers decades after publication.

From hardship to literary acclaim

Born in 1933 in Bongaon, in present-day North 24 Parganas district, Mukherjee moved to Howrah during childhood. Following his father’s death, he took up work as a clerk and later as a hawker to support himself.

A turning point came when he worked under British barrister Noyel Fredrick Burwell. Drawing from that experience, Mukherjee wrote his debut novel Kato Ajanarey, which went on to become a bestseller.

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Some of his writings were later adapted into films and this further reinforced his impact beyond the literary world.

In recognition of his contribution to literature, Mukherjee received the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2021, which is one of the highest honors in Indian literature.

He is survived by his family and a huge reading audience who still find relevance in his depiction of society and resilience.