Shaktipada Rajguru was a prominent Indian author who primarily wrote in Bengali language. Many of his novels were adopted for feature films such as Shakti Samanta directed Amanush and Ritwik Ghatak directed Meghe Dhaka Tara (The Cloud-Capped Star). His works have been translated in many languages including Malayalam, Tamil and Hindi. Shaktipada Rajguru died at the age of 92 on 12th June 2014.
Early Life of Shaktipada Rajguru
Shaktipada Rajguru was born in the year 1922, on 1st February in Gopebandi situated in the Bankura district of the East Indian state West Bengal. He did his schooling from Pachthopi T.N. Institutional School in Murshidabad. Later he graduated from the University of Calcutta.
Career of Shaktipada Rajguru
Shaktipada Rajguru began exploring the literary world through writing in the year 1945 with his debut novel titled "Dinguli Mor". The novel was based on the sensitive subject of the plight of refugees. Following this, Shaktipada Rajguru authored more than 100 novels. Being an avid traveller, many of his novels have the backdrop of different places such as Dandakaranya, Maharashtra and Chota Nagpur which are located far off from the city of Kolkata. His novels depict vivid descriptions of nature and portray strong central characters. The works of eminent literary persons like Tarashankar Bandopadhyay and Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay greatly influenced the works of Shaktipada Rajguru. The works of both Bengali luminaries are largely set in romance of rural life of Bengal. Some of the prominent publications of Shaktipada Rajguru include Baghini, Amanush, Anusandhan, Jeebon Kahini, Antare antar, Moni Begum and Meghe Dhaka Tara. Another famous novel Anusandhan took screen adaptation of "Barsaat ki Ek Raat" in Bollywood, featuring Amitabh Bachchan and Raakhee Gulzar. The film "Barsaat Ki Ek Raat" has also a Bengali version featuring the same actors and actress, as a name of the novel "Anusandhan".
Achievements of Shaktipada Rajguru
Shaktipada Rajguru had been honoured with a number of awards for his literary works. He was awarded the Bibhutibhushan Award for literary excellence and All-India Lion`s Award for Best screenplay for Amanush. In the year 2009 he received the Hall of Fame - Lifetime Achievement Sahityabramha Award.
