Subodh Ghosh (1909-1980) was born at Hazaribagh which is now in Jharkhand. He completed his graduation from St. Columba`s College. He has worked in several professions before becoming a writer. He started as a bus conductor, later worked as a clown in a circus and as a sweeper in Mumbai Municipal Corporation. He had also travelled to East Africa in order to work as a contractor`s worker. He joined Bengali daily Anandabazar Patrika at Kolkata. Thereafter he was the senior editor of the Sunday Magazine section. He was awarded by the University of Calcutta the Jagattarini Gold Medal.
Literary career of Subodh Ghosh
His short story `Fossil` made him a prominent writer of Bengal. `Bharat Premkatha` presents immortal love stories. `Kingbadantir Deshe` deals with local legends which have gained popularity through oral transmission. He possessed a good knowledge about Adivasi life. His `House Combustible` finds a place in Indian Love Stories that was edited by Sudhir Kakar.
His Novels include Tilanjoli, Gangotri, Trijama, Preyoahy, Satkiya, Sujata, Suno Boronari, Bosonto Tilok, Jiavorli and Bagdatta. His collection of short stories include: Fossil, Porshuramer Kuthar, Suklavishar, Gram Jamuna, Bonikornika, Jatugriho, Mon Vramar, Thirbijuri, Kusumeshu and Bharat Premkatha.
His other works include: Bharityo Foujer Itihash, Kingbodontir Deshe, Amritopothojatri, Olik, Swashanchampa, Orchid, Jotugriha, Barbadhu, Chaturbhuj Club, Thogini, Polasher, Nesha, Abishkar, Ajantrik, Shock Therapy, Supriya, Pushpakeet, Teen Oddhay, Raater, Pakhi, Sundaram, Shuklavishar, Quotation, Chaturtha Panipather Juddha, Monobasita, Laghu Aranyak, JalRakkhos, Cactus, Kalpurus, Khaddyot, Parashuramer Kuthar, Sukla Nabomi, Pichu Dake, Garol Amiyo Vel, Bhat Tilak Roy, Guhamanab and Onatmik.
His works inspired classical films such as Ritwik Ghatak`s Ajantrik (1958) and Bimal Roy`s Sujata (1959). He won the Filmfare Best Story Award for `Sujata`. He also won the Filmfare Best Story Award a second time, posthumously, for Gulzar`s `Ijaazat`.
