Sahitya Akademi Award winning Bengali author Samaresh Majumdar dies

Majumdar, 79, had been suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and was undergoing treatment at a hospital for over a month

Kolkata: Sahitya Akademi Award winning Bengali literateur Samaresh Majumdar, who is known for portraying the tumultuous Naxalaite period of the 1970s, died at a private hospital in Kolkata on Monday evening, an official of the establishment confirmed.

Majumdar, 79, had been suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and was undergoing treatment at the hospital for over a month. "Majumdar has been suffering from COPD for more than 12 years. He has been under our treatment for over a month. His health has deteriorated recently and was on ventilator. He died at around 5.45 PM," the official was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

Best known for his political trilogy Uttaradhikar', Kalbela' and Kalpurush', Majumdar has also penned short stories and travelogues. He is a recipient of the 'Sahitya Akademi Award' for 'Kalbela', set against the backdrop of the Naxalite movement. Majumdar's detective character 'Arjun' has been very popular not only among the youth but also among the adults.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condoled the death of Majumdar, saying this is an irreparable loss to the literary world. "I am deeply saddened by the passing away of eminent writer Samaresh Majumdar. He passed away today in Kolkata. He was 79 years old. Samaresh Majumdar, the most prolific talker of Bengali literature, is famous for his works: Run, Kalbela, Kalpurush, Garbhadharini, Lashaya, Arjun Sambari, Satkahan etc. Samaresh Majumder was awarded 'Bangavibhushan' by the West Bengal government in 2018. He has also received numerous honors including Sahitya Academy Award, Anand Award, BFJA Award. The demise of Samaresh Majumdar is an irreparable loss to the literary world. My sincere condolences,” Mamata tweeted.

His death has cast a pall of gloom on the entire cultural community of Bengal. Born on March 10, 1944 in Jalpaiguri, Majumdar spent most of his childhood in Jalpaiguri and studied in Jalpaiguri District School. He graduated from Scottish Church College with Bengali Literature. His first story 'Daur' was published in Desh Patrika in 1967. In 2018, he was honored with Bangabibhushan for his contribution to literature. He won the Bankim Award for the story 'Nabakumar in Kolkata'. In 1984, Samaresh Majumdar received the Sahitya Akademi Award for 'Kalbela'.