Manik Bandopadhay was born on 19 May 1908 in a small town called Dumka in the district of Santal Parganas in the state of Bihar in India. His real name was Prabodh Kumar Bandhopaddhay. His pen name was derived from his pet name 'Manik'. He was the fifth of the fourteen children (eight sons and six daughters) of his parents, Harihar Bandopadhyay and Niroda Devi. His father Harihar was a government official who travelled across undivided Bengal in connection with his job. This gave Manik to experience life and living of people in different parts of Bengal in his early life.young Manik had the chance to experience different lifestyles and meet different people of Bengal. These experiences were later reflected in his novels and short stories. On 28th May 1924, at a tender age of sixteen, he lost his mother and this unfortunate incident left a deep and permanent mark in the mind of Manik Bandopadhyay. It ultimately led him to become a recluse and he cut off ties with his immediate family. In 1926, Manik Bandopadhyay passed the entrance examination from Midnapore Zilla School with a first division and a distinction in optional and compulsory Mathematics. He then joined Welleslyvan Mission College at Bankura and came in contact with a professor named Jackson. This professor highly influenced Manik Bandhopadhyay to read the Bible and cultivate a broader outlook towards religion in general. In 1928, Bandopadhyay cleared the Indian School Certficate exam or the 12th board's exam with first division. It was not difficult for this illustrious student to gain admission in the prestigious Presidency College, Calcutta for a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics. This degree, however, he couldn't complete on account of lack of funds. With degrees in the field of Mathematics, it was poverty that propelled Manik Bandopadhyay to write. He joined the Mymensingh Teacher's Training School as its headmaster. He married Kamala Devi in Dhaka, Bangladesh and had two sons and two daughters.
Manik Bandopadhyay was one of the most important and influential novelists in Bengali literature. He had his own unique way of presenting the rich and culturally vibrant rural life on Bengal. Unlike his contemporary authors, who only wrote about the scenic beauty and the simplicity of village life, Manik Bandopadhyay delved deep into the complicated human psyche and the truth of existence in the villages of India. His works also dealt with complicated human psychology and even today, the simplest of his novels leave the readers spell bound as they find themselves into an identifiable position with the characters. He edited the famous magazine 'Nabarun' for a few months in 1934 and worked as an assistant editor for the same in 1937-1938. He established a printing and publishing house in 1939 and worked as a Publicity Assistant for the Government of India in 1943. Manik Bandopadhyay tried to enhance his earnings through these various involvements but writing was his main source of income. It is said that he languished in poverty throughout his life. 'Atasi Mami' or Aunt Atasi in 1935 was the first story that he wrote for a magazine called, 'Bichitra'. He became an active Marxist after joining the Communist Party of India in 1944. However, it is said that he regretted this decision and thought of the Communist Party as an increasingly hollow and tyrannical organization.
In 1938 Bandopadhyay started his career as the Headmaster of Mymensingh Teachers Training School.But, throughout his life, writing was the only source of income for Manik Bandopadhyay and, hence, he languished perpetual poverty. However, for a short while he tried to enhance his earning through involvement with one or two literary magazines. He worked as editor of Nabarun for a few months in 1934. During 1937–38, he worked as assistant editor of literary magazine Bangasree. He established a printing and publishing house in 1939 which turned out to be a short-lived endeavour. Also, he worked as publicity assistant for the government of India in 1943.
Manik died on 3 December 1956, at the age of 48. His funeral took place at Nimtala Crematorium in North Calcutta.
Since early life he had struggled with poverty and epilepsy. The signs of epilepsy first surfaced when he was engaged in writing Padma Nadir Majhi and Putul Nacher Itikatha. Continued and unabated ailment, problems and crises devastated his mental disposition. Eventually he resorted to alcohol for respite, adding to his misery. On 3 December 1956, he collapsed and went into a coma. He was admitted to the Nilratan Government Hospital on 2 December where he died the next day.A huge crowd attended the memorial meeting for Manik Bandopadhyay held on 7 December 1956.
Manik Bandopadhyay was one of the most important and influential novelists in Bengali literature. He had his own unique way of presenting the rich and culturally vibrant rural life on Bengal. Unlike his contemporary authors, who only wrote about the scenic beauty and the simplicity of village life, Manik Bandopadhyay delved deep into the complicated human psyche and the truth of existence in the villages of India. His works also dealt with complicated human psychology and even today, the simplest of his novels leave the readers spell bound as they find themselves into an identifiable position with the characters. He edited the famous magazine 'Nabarun' for a few months in 1934 and worked as an assistant editor for the same in 1937-1938. He established a printing and publishing house in 1939 and worked as a Publicity Assistant for the Government of India in 1943. Manik Bandopadhyay tried to enhance his earnings through these various involvements but writing was his main source of income. It is said that he languished in poverty throughout his life. 'Atasi Mami' or Aunt Atasi in 1935 was the first story that he wrote for a magazine called, 'Bichitra'. He became an active Marxist after joining the Communist Party of India in 1944. However, it is said that he regretted this decision and thought of the Communist Party as an increasingly hollow and tyrannical organization.
In 1938 Bandopadhyay started his career as the Headmaster of Mymensingh Teachers Training School.But, throughout his life, writing was the only source of income for Manik Bandopadhyay and, hence, he languished perpetual poverty. However, for a short while he tried to enhance his earning through involvement with one or two literary magazines. He worked as editor of Nabarun for a few months in 1934. During 1937–38, he worked as assistant editor of literary magazine Bangasree. He established a printing and publishing house in 1939 which turned out to be a short-lived endeavour. Also, he worked as publicity assistant for the government of India in 1943.
Manik died on 3 December 1956, at the age of 48. His funeral took place at Nimtala Crematorium in North Calcutta.
Since early life he had struggled with poverty and epilepsy. The signs of epilepsy first surfaced when he was engaged in writing Padma Nadir Majhi and Putul Nacher Itikatha. Continued and unabated ailment, problems and crises devastated his mental disposition. Eventually he resorted to alcohol for respite, adding to his misery. On 3 December 1956, he collapsed and went into a coma. He was admitted to the Nilratan Government Hospital on 2 December where he died the next day.A huge crowd attended the memorial meeting for Manik Bandopadhyay held on 7 December 1956.
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