Bankimchandra Sen

Bankimchandra Sen (Bengali: বঙ্কিমচন্দ্র সেন) (17 December 1892 – 9 June 1968) was a Bengali journalist in the first half of the 20th century. He edited journalism and newspapers with patriotism and a love of literature.^[1]

Bankim Chandra Sen was born on 17 December 1892 in the village of Gharinda in Tangail, Mymensingh district, present-day Bangladesh, in undivided Bengal. His father was Jagat Chandra Sen. He was a literary enthusiast even as a student. His first poem was published in Kedarnath Majumdar's "Sourav" magazine in Mymensingh in 1916. Then in various newspapers and magazines one by one. His poems were also published in Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das's "Narayan" magazine.^[2]

After finishing his education, he began working as a teacher, but his strong patriotic spirit would not allow him to remain limited to that profession. In 1917, he moved to Calcutta and joined Sir Surendranath Banerjee’s newspaper The Bengalee as a proofreader. Soon after, he entered journalism through the same paper. To him, journalism was not merely a profession—it was a form of national service.^[3] In an article titled “Prafulla Kumar’s Quest” published in Desh Patrika in 1944, he wrote:

“When I pledged myself to newspaper work, I did not do it for employment. I chose this path out of an irresistible urge to serve the nation.”

^[4]

In 1919, following the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, his editorial piece titled “General Dyer” created widespread attention and controversy. Later, in 1926, upon the request of his childhood friend Satyendranath Majumdar, who was then editor of Anandabazar Patrika, Bankim Chandra Sen joined Anandabazar. In 1930, when the newspaper's editor was arrested, he served briefly as acting editor.When the Anandabazar group launched its weekly literary magazine Desh on 24 November 1933, he was appointed editor of Desh Patrika on 17 February 1934. During this period, he managed responsibilities in the editorial section of Anandabazar Patrika while also editing Desh. He remained editor of Desh Patrika for twenty-three years before retiring in 1956.^[5]

In 1942, he was sent to jail for publishing writings that supported the Civil Disobedience Movement. Later, from 1944, he developed a deep interest in spirituality and devoted himself to religious discipline. He started giving lectures on Vaishnava philosophy, scriptures, and religious matters. Alongside this, he authored a number of works focused on Vaishnava religion. Some writing works are listed below:^[6]

• Gita-madhuri ^[7]
• Naam-madhuri
• lokmata Rani Rashmoni
• Jibonmriyur Sandhistole

He died on 9 June 1968 in Calcutta at the age of 75.

On 19 January 2020, a memorial programme was held in Kolkata to honour his legacy. During the event, the “Bankimchandra Sen Memorial Award” was presented to noted journalist Haradhan Chowdhury, and a book titled “Sangbadpatra–Sevar Amalin Smriti”, based on Bankimchandra Sen's memories of his work in journalism, was released. ^[8]