The song was later declared the National Song of India. He is considered the important pillar in the literary renaissance of Bengal who inspired the further authors of the nation.
Bankim Chandra Chattopadhay was a prolific writer, novelist, essayist, poet and journalist of India.
He composed “Vande Mataram”, the national song of India. Bankim Chandra brought about a cultural renaissance in Bengali literature. The Bengali novel particularly began with him.
Life of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhay:
Bankim Chandra was born on June 27, 1838, at Kanthalpara, North 24 Parganas of West Bengal. He was born to Yadav Chandra Chattopadhay and Durgadevi. His father was a government servant. Bankim Chandra was an exceptionally brilliant child at school. He received his early education at Midnapur.
He was later educated at Hoogly Collegiate School and Presidency College. Chattopadhay was one of the first graduates of the University of Calcutta. He also completed his graduation with a degree in Law Studies.
Bankim Chandra had profound interest in literature. He could read Sanskrit well which also helped in his writing of Bengali literature. He served as the deputy magistrate and deputy collector in the government of British India.
He was married twice. The novelist passed away in 1894. Bankim Chandra composed Vande Mataram, the national song of India. The song was a huge inspiration of the Indian freedom fighters during India’s independence movement.
Vande Mataram began a slogan of the freedom fighters. It stimulated the desire for independence and nationalism among the fighters and the people of India to a larger extent. Bankim Chandra’s writing portrayed noble patriotism.
Career of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhay
Bankim Chandra is one of the important names in the literary renaissance of Bengal and of India as well. He brought about a cultural renaissance in Bengali literature.
He was a writer of philosophical works. He was a wonderful story teller and a master of romantic writing. Most of his writings were in Bengali. His writings upheld Indian culture. The characters created by the master story teller remain one of the most realistic in literature.
During his early days Bankim Chandra wrote poems. He later started writing novels. He stimulated the desire for independence and nationalism. In one of his most famous novels Anandamath Bankim Chandra portrays noble patriotism. During his lifetime alone Anandamath was reprinted five times.
Some of the most notable works of the author are Durgeshnondini, Kapalkundala, Mrinalini, Chandrashekhar, Rajani, Krishnakanter Will, Rajsimha, Anandamath, Devi Chaudhurani, Sitaram, Kamalakanter Daptar, Vishavriksha, Indira, Radharani. He also founded a journal namely Vangadarshan. Anandamath appeared in the journal.
The works of Bankim Chandra have been translated into many Indian languages and in English as well. He wanted to bring about a cultural revival amongt the Bengalis with the help of intellectual literary campaigns and in order to make this dream come true he came out with a monthly magazine known as ‘Bangadarshan’ in 1872.
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