Santanu Kumar Acharya Compilation

Prof Santanu Kumar Achary was born on May 19, 1933 at Kolkata. His ancestral home is at Siddheswarpur, Jagatsinghpur dist. His father was Anant Charan Acharya and mother Krusnapriya Debi. Siddheswarpur is the birthplace of Gopal Chandra Praharaj, the famous compiler of Purnachandra Odia Bhasakosha.

Santanu Kumar was a student of chemistry and did higher research in that subject. He was a college teacher by profession. He worked as the principal of different colleges and at last retired as the registrar of Utkal University. Though he was a student and teacher of science, he had a deep interest in literature. Mainly he is known as a story writer. He has published more than 30 story books and novels. In children’s literature, travelogue and translation also he has contributed a lot.

He had started writing from his school days. But a metaphysical novel “Narakinnar (1962)” gave him the identity as a literateur. After that novels like Satabdira Nachiketa (1965), Tinoti Ratira Sakal (1969), Dakshinabarta (1973), Jatrara Pratham Pada (1976), Anya Eka Samay Anya Eka Bharatabarsa (1977), Sakuntala (1980), Mantrinka Sear (1988), Dharitrira Kanda (1994), Anu Hajijiba Pare (1996), Adrusya Jagataru Barta (1996), Swarna Tribhuja (1998) were published. Along with this, short stories like Mana Marmara (1962), Durbara (1965), EI Sesa padati (1972), Aranyara Chula (1974), Adina Baula (1978), Karanjia Diary (1984), Adya Sakal (1985), Sarpajana (1989), Chalanti Thakura (1991), Galpa Barnali (1997), Srestha Galpa (1998), Jala Chhabira Rati (1999) were published. In children’s literature his books are Mo Katha Ghoda Katha Kahe (1961), Bag Bagichara Saudagar (1962), Akasaku Satoti Pahacha (1963), Kosi Upatyaka (1964), Saktira Karamati (1971), Mo Na Nialaga Opi (1980), Dine Akasa Bi Na Thila (2001), in travelogue Baichitryamaya Desa America (2015). Mo Jiban Anya Eka Upanyasa is his Autobiography.

He got many prizes and awards like Sarala Puraskar (1985), Bisuba Puraskar (1961), Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award (2002) etc. Govt. of India education department has honored him also.

Santanu Kumar’s stories or novels are based on contemporary events of village, cities, metropolises even foreign countries. Many stories are satirical, but the language is always simple. His characters of novels range from young mass of twentieth century to mythological, political and oppressed people. Dakshinabarta is based on Sri Aurobindo’s philosophy and Sakuntala is based on marxism. The main character of Anya Eka Samaya Anya Eka Bharatabarsa is Gopal Chandra Praharaj.

Many feel that Santanu Kumar’s writings are difficult to understand. But it is a fact that once you understand rightly the creative world of Santanu Kumar, it leaves a deep impression on the mind. His expertise are seen in short stories, novels, children’s writing, essays, travelogue, science writing. In every field he is a successful creator. (Source: Sambad Sahityakosa)