Top News Desk: Today marks the 165th birth anniversary of Swarnakumari Devi, the trailblazing figure in modern Bengali literature known for her roles as a writer, poet, novelist, musician, and social reformer. Hailing from Calcutta’s illustrious Jorsanko Tagore family, she was the granddaughter of Dwarkanath Tagore, the fourth daughter of Devendranath Tagore, and the elder sister of the renowned universal poet Rabindranath Tagore. Swarnakumari Devi, five years senior to her brother Rabindranath, exhibited creative prowess in music, drama, and literature much like other male members of the Jorasanko Tagore lineage.
Her maiden Bengali ballad, “Basant Utsav,” marked Swarnakumari Devi’s initial foray into literature. The year 1876 saw the publication of her first novel, “Deep Nirvana.” While Hana Catherine Mullens had previously published her work “Fulmani and Karuna” in 1852, earning the distinction of being the first Bengali female novelist, Swarnakumari Devi held the honor of being the first among Bengali women to venture into novel writing. Noteworthy pieces by her encompass:
Novels: “Mibar-Raj,” “Chinnamukul,” “Malati,” “Imambari of Hooghly,” “Bidrohi,” “Snehlata,” “Kahake,” “Phule Mala,” “Sabbir’s Day and Night,” “Bichitra,” “Sapnabani,” “Milanrati.”
Dramas: “Wedding Festival,” “Rajkonna,” and “Divya Kamal.”
Poems: “Gathas,” “Vasant-Utsav,” and “Gitiguccha.”
Science Essay: “Prithibi.”
Born on this day in 1855 within the Tagore family of Jorsanko, Kolkata, Swarnakumari Devi’s legacy continues to shine. On November 17, 1867, she entered wedlock with Janakinath Ghosal. Janakinath, an educated scion of a Zamindar family in Nadia district, was not only a Theosophist but also a founding and active member of the Indian National Congress.
Furthermore, Swarnakumari Devi made her mark as a composer of numerous songs. In 1927, Calcutta University bestowed upon her the “Jagatarini Swarna Padak” for her profound literary contributions. Swarnkumari Devi, a pioneer as the first Bengali female novelist, poet, musician, and social reformer, bid farewell on July 3, 1932.
Report by: Habiba Sultana
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