image
Kylas Chunder Dutt: First Indian writer of fiction in English
Kolkata, May 15 (IBNS): Power Publishers recently launched a book named The Pindari Lover and Other Writings of Kylas Chunder Dutt, as a tribute to the first Indian writer of fiction and original narrative in English.
The book has been edited and introduced by Kalyan Chunder Dutt, former Principal and Emeritus Professor of Scottish Church College, who is also from the illustrious Dutt family of Kolkata that excelled in many ways.
Kylas Chunder Dutt's father Rosomoy was the first Indian puisne judge and first Indian secretary of Hindu College, according to historical notes. His niece was the famous poet Toru Dutt, daughter of his brother Govin Dutt.
The book, which was unveiled at a function in the Press Club, Kolkata, puts on record the archival discovery of the lost writings of Kylas Chunder Dutt (1817-1859).
As an eighteen year old student of Hindu College, Kylas Chunder was the first Indian to pen a fiction in English . His first story was published in the ‘Calcutta Literacy Gazette’ of 1835.
Apart from Kalyan Chunder Dutt, others present at the programme were Sahitya Academy award-winning author Binod Ghoshal, best-selling author Binayak Bandhyopadhya, veteran journalist Ranjan Bandopadhyay and film-director Aniket Chattopadhyay.
Said Kalyan Chunder Dutt: ‘This book project took a long time because I had to gather data from different sources. My appointment as principal in Scottish Church College also slowed down the work. But finally I managed to complete it."
He thanked the online coordinator of the book, Vineeta Dutt.
Apart from the book-launch, there was also a panel discussion on ‘Nineteenth Century Literature in Bengal.’
The event concluded with a reading from the book by Dr. Arpita Mukherjee of Scottish Church College.
The price of the book is Rs. 1,500 and will be available at all leading online bookstores Amazon.in, Amazon.com, Flipkart, Infibeam, Snapdel, shopclues, E-bay.in and Power-Publishers.com.
(Reporting by Ayana Chatterjee, Images by Avishek Mitra/IBNS)
Top Headlines
-
News
'I strongly condemn Hindu temple attack, intimidation of our diplomats': PM Modi amid Canada row
November 04, 2024
-
News
Unacceptable: Justin Trudeau after suspected Khalistani members attack Hindu temple in Canada
November 04, 2024
-
News
India, China have completed disengagement: Reports
October 31, 2024
-
News
Uzbekistan parties supporting President Mirziyoyev win parliamentary elections as country undergoes reforms
October 29, 2024
-
News
Sanction Indian diplomats, ban RSS: anti-India Canadian leader Jagmeet Singh goes ballistic
October 16, 2024
-
News
Hezbollah drone attack on military base kills four Israeli soldiers
October 14, 2024
-
News
Trudeau govt's vote bank politics: India toughens stand against Canada after latest tirade over Nijjar killing
October 14, 2024
-
News
Lawrence Bishnoi gang, which claimed responsibility for Baba Siddique's murder, sends Salman Khan a message
October 14, 2024
-
News
RG Kar: Bengal junior doctors to hold protest march to Raj Bhavan on 10th day of hunger strike today
October 14, 2024
-
News
Tamil Nadu derailment: 19 injured in Darbhanga Bagmati Express collision with goods train, 13 coaches jump track
October 12, 2024