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
Indian New Wave Cinema Architect Shyam Benegal dies at age 90
December 23, 2024
-
News
French court convicts eight people for their role in teacher's beheading in Paris suburb
December 21, 2024
-
News
Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad flees Damascus as rebels announce to storm capital, say 'end of the era of tyranny'
December 08, 2024
-
News
Man tries to shoot Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal at entrance of Golden Temple, arrested
December 04, 2024
-
News
Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's visit to violence-hit Sambhal thwarted
December 04, 2024
-
News
Devendra Fadnavis picked as BJP legislative party head, set to be Maharashtra CM
December 04, 2024
-
News
Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to visit violence-hit Sambhal today
December 04, 2024
-
News
Will FII investment flow Favour US or China?
November 28, 2024
-
News
No bribery charges against Gautam Adani and his nephew in US indictment, claims Adani Green
November 27, 2024
-
News
Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire comes into effect, halts 13-month conflict
November 27, 2024