CHATTOPADHYAYA, shat-teipad-hya'
Bankim Chandra, Indian novelist: b. 27 June 1838 at Katalpara in the District of Twenty-four Pargannas, Bengal, India. Jadav Chandra Chattopadhyaya, Bankim's father, was an official in the service of the government. Bankim Chandra was educated both at Hugli College and at the Calcutta Presidency College. He was the first to receive the B.A. degree from the Calcutta University in 1858. In recognition of his services as a magistrate, the British authorities conferred on him the titles of Rani Bahadur and C.I.E. He was fond of literature even as a boy. At the age of 15, he published a book of poems entitled 'Lath 0 Manash.> His first novel, 'Durgesh Nan dini,' was published in 1864. This book created a literary sensation in Bengal and the author was hailed as a great literary genius. Tagore has won an international fame, but Bankim is called in Bengal, "The Emperor of Bengali Literature." His principal novels are
the Nationalist movement in India, Bankim Chandra's (Ananda Math' has become exceed ingly popular. This novel deals with the Sannyasi rebellion of 1772. The famous national song of India, aBande-Matarani,n ap pears in this book. This was used, as it is to day, as a rallying cry against the English.. The song, in part, reads thus translated: Mother, hail! Thou with sweet springs flowing, Thou fair fruits bestowing.
Cool with zephyrs blowing.
Green with corn-crops growing.
Mother, hail.
Though now seventy million voices through thy mouth sonor ous shout, Though twice seventy million hands hold thy trenchant sword-blades out, Yet with all this power now.
Mother, wherefore powerless thou? This song is a source of inspiration to the Nationalists of India. In his literary life, Bankim Chandra was influenced by Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar. And .Bankiin influenced Rabindranath Tagore. In elegance of lan guage and in loftiness of thought, Bankim's novels can be counted among the very best in any literature.