Prafulla Kumar Sarkar

Prafulla Kumar Sarkar
প্রফুল্লকুমার সরকার
Born1884 (1884)
Died13 April 1944(1944-04-13) (aged 59–60)
Alma materPabna Zilla School, Scottish Church College
OccupationsJournalist, editor, writer
OrganizationAnandabazar Patrika
Known forFounding editor of Anandabazar Patrika
SpouseNirajharani Devi
ChildrenAshok Kumar Sarkar
FamilyAveek Sarkar (grandson), Chiki Sarkar (great-granddaughter)

Prafulla Kumar Sarkar (Bengali: প্রফুল্লকুমার সরকার) (1884 – 13 April 1944) was a Bengali journalist, editor and writer, known for his pioneering role in the early development of Anandabazar Patrika. He is remembered as an important figure in the history of Bengali journalism and editorial culture during the British colonial period.

Early life and education

Prafulla Kumar Sarkar was born in 1884 in Kumarkhali, located in the Bengal Presidency of British India (present-day Bangladesh). He studied at Pabna Zilla School and later moved to Kolkata for higher education. He passed his B.A. degree (Bachelor of Arts)) in 1905, ranking first position in Bengali subject from Scottish Church College, and received the Bankim Medal and later obtained a law degree before entering journalism full-time. He passed his B.L.(Bachelor of Law) in 1908.[1]

Career

Journalism and editorial work

Sarkar became known as an influential journalist and editor in Bengali print culture. Bangladeshi press sources have described him as a significant contributor to the growth of modern Bengali journalism and the intellectual development of the Bengali-language press. He was closely associated with the Bangiya Sahitya Parishad. His wife Nirjharini Devi (1894 - 1963) was a writer and Congress worker. She too participated in the Swadeshi Movement and was imprisoned in 1930 and 1932.[2]


Anandabazar Patrika

Sarkar is particularly associated with the founding editorial phase of Anandabazar Patrika[3][4], which later became one of the most influential Bengali newspapers in India. Dhaka-based media accounts identify him as the founding editor and highlight his role in shaping the newspaper’s early editorial identity.[5][6]

Works

Prafulla Kumar Sarkar was a profic writer. He wrotes some fiction and eassy litreature works besides his busy journalism career. Some of his notable works are listed below:

  • Balir Bandh[7]
  • Kshoyishnu Hindu[8]
  • Lokaranya[9]
  • Anagata[10]
  • Jatiyo Andolane Rabindranath (2nd edition)[11][12]

Death

Prafulla Kumar Sarkar died on 13 April 1944 in Kolkata survived by his wife Nirjarani Devi and son Ashok Kumar Sarkar. After his death, the road adjacent to the Anandabazar Patrika Group office in Kolkata was renamed Prafulla Sarkar Street.[13]

See also

References

  1. ^ Sen Gupta, Subodh; Basu, Anjali (August 2016). Saṃsada Bāṅgālī Caritābhidhāna (সংসদ বাঙালি চরিতাভিধান) (in Bengali). Vol. 1. Kolkata: Sahitya Samsad. p. 408. ISBN 978-81-7955-135-6.
  2. ^ "সাংবাদিক প্রফুল্লকুমার সরকারের মৃত্যুবার্ষিকী আজ". Kaler Kantho. 13 April 2025. Retrieved 10 February 2026.
  3. ^ Mukhopādhyāẏa, Haridāsa; Mukherjee, Uma (2000). The Origins of the National Education Movement, 1905-1910. National Council of Education, Bengal. p. 281.
  4. ^ Basu, Kanailal (19 January 2010). Netaji: Rediscovered. AuthorHouse. p. 20. ISBN 978-1-4490-5569-1.
  5. ^ "বিশিষ্ট সাংবাদিক প্রফুল্লকুমার সরকার: আনন্দবাজার পত্রিকার প্রতিষ্ঠাতা সম্পাদক". Dhaka Prokash. Retrieved 10 February 2026.
  6. ^ "Anandabazar Patrika: A perfect blend of tradition and modernity". Communication Today. 20 September 2014. Retrieved 10 February 2026.
  7. ^ "Balir Bandh : Sarkar, Sri Prafullakumar : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming". Internet Archive. Retrieved 10 February 2026.
  8. ^ "Khoishnu Hindu : Sarkar, Sri Prafullakumar". Internet Archive. Retrieved 10 February 2026.
  9. ^ "LOKARANYA লোকারণ্য : SARKAR, SRI PRAFULLAKUMAR : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming". Internet Archive. Retrieved 10 February 2026.
  10. ^ "ANAGATA অনাগত : Prafulla Kumar Sarkar". Granthagara. Retrieved 10 February 2026.
  11. ^ "Jatiyo Andolane Rabindranath জাতীয় আন্দোলনে রবীন্দ্রনাথ : Prafulla Kumar Sarkar". Granthagara. Retrieved 10 February 2026.
  12. ^ "Prafulla Kumar Sarkar". Granthagara. Retrieved 10 February 2026.
  13. ^ Sen Gupta, Subodh; Basu, Anjali (August 2016). Saṃsada Bāṅgālī Caritābhidhāna (সংসদ বাঙালি চরিতাভিধান) (in Bengali). Vol. 1. Kolkata: Sahitya Samsad. p. 408. ISBN 978-81-7955-135-6.