Kaliprasanna Singha

Kaliprasanna Singha (Bengali: কালীপ্রসন্ন সিংহ) (23 February 1841{?} – 24 July 1870) was a Bengali authors, playwright, and philanthropist. His most famous work was the translation of the ancient Hindu epic Mahabharata into Bengali. Singha's book Hutom Pyanchar Naksha, a compilation of satirical social sketches, is another noted work that is noted for reflecting Bengalee urban society of the time. He is also remembered as a philanthropist who helped several people and movements in distress.

Early life

Though the exact date of Kaliprasanna Singha's birth is debatable, on 24 February 1840, the Calcutta Courier published a news that celebrations were made on 23 February 1840 on the occasion of the birth of the son of Nandalal Singha of Jorasanko. The confusion about his year of birth is that initially researchers found his death announcement where it was said that he died at the age of 29 in 1870. However, if the news published in Calcutta Courier, found at a later date, is taken into account, his date of birth would be somewhere near 23 February 1840. Kaliprasanna was born in the renowned "Singha" family of Jorasanko in North Kolkata.His father was Nandalal Singha. His grandfather Jay Krishna was one of the directors of Hindu College. Kaliprasanna's father died when he was only six years old. Babu Hara Chandra Ghosh, a judge of the lower court, was appointed as the guardian after his father's death. In his short span of life (1841–1870), Kaliprasanna was a man of unbelievable versatile qualities. It is said that he had a power to recollect anything that he would see or hear even once, and that also from a very early age. The foundation of the Vidyotsahini sabha by him at the age of only 14 bears a testimony to the abilities of this child prodigy. Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar was astonished to see how this young boy could mingle with so many elderly associates and lead them towards recreational pursuits such as organisation of the theatres. Hutom Pyachar Noksa is his immortal creation in which portrayed the picture of the 19 th century babudom in Kolkata. Sunil Gangopadhyay, in his epoch making novel Sei Somoy (Those Days), recreated the same period with Kaliprasanna as the symbolic character, his name in the novel being Nabinkumar. Kaliprasanna married the daughter of Loknath Basu of Bagbazar in 1854, but she died in a few years. Sometime later, Kaliprasanna married Sharatkumari, the daughter of Chandranath Basu, who was a granddaughter of Raja Prasanna Narayan Deb.

Education

Kaliprasanna was admitted to Hindu College, currently known as Presidency College. In 1857 he left College. He continued his education in English, Bengali and Sanskrit at home. He enhanced his English knowledge under the guidance of a European teacher Mr.Kirkpatrick. He had contribution in different fields as an author, editor, a publisher, a philanthropist, a social worker, and a great patron of art, literature and culture.

Contributions

Vidyotsahini Sabha and contribution to Bengali Theatre

Other than his contribution to literature, Kaliprasanna had immense contribution to Bengali theatre too. He established the Vidyotsahini Sabha(a platform for those interested in education) at the age of 14. It was established most probably in 1855. Eminent gentlemen like Krishnadas Pal, Acharya Krishna Kamal Bhattacharya, Peari Chand Mitra, and Radhanath Sikdar were associated with it. Vidyotsahini Sabha was mainly responsible for promoting Hindu theatre, and Bidyotsahini Mancha was set up in 1857 at Kaliprasanna's home. The members of this group performed "Shakuntala" in 1857. According to a witness " The performance of 'Sakuntala' at Simla was, however a failure, This is not to be wondered at; for Sakuntala being a masterpiece of dramatic genius, requires versatile and consummate talent for its representation, rarely to be met with in this country." Later on Kaliprasanna enacted the play "Benisanhar", which received a warm response and the performance was praised in Samvad Prabhakar. Young Kaliprasanna played the role of Bhanumati, a female character. Later in 1857 only, Kaliprasanna himself wrote the play "Vikramorvashi" based on the Sanskrit composition of Kalidas. Kaliprasanna played the role of Pururava while eminent personalities like Womesh Chandra Bonerjee also participated in the play. The drama was highly eulogised including the performance of Kaliprasanna as actor. Through Vidyotsahini Sabha he felicitated Michael Madhusudan Dutt for introducing blank verse in Bengali poetry. Kaliprasanna awarded Michael Madhusudan with a certificate and a silver peg.

Kaliprasanna also wrote several other plays like Babu (1854), Sabitri Satyaban (1858), Malati Madhab (1856)

Publications

He also edited/published several magazines like Vidyotsahini Patrika, Paridarshak, Sarvatattwa Prakashika, Bibidhartha Samgraha etc. Paridarshak was a Benagli daily newspaper started by Jaganmohan Tarkalankar and Madangopal Goswami. For improvement of the newspaper, Kaliprasanna took over editorship of the newspaper. The quality of the newspaper was ahead of its times and Kristo Das Pal wrote, "He also started a first class vernacular daily newspaper, the like of which we have not yet seen." Bibidhartho Samgraha was first edited by Babu Rajendralal Mitra, the well known native gentleman. After him that magazine had been revived under the auspices of Kaliprasanna Singha. In 1862 the most acclaimed "Hutom Panchar Noksha" had been published. In this book he criticised the activities of the then middle class societies in a humorous manner under the pseudonym "Hutom Pyancha".

He provided financial assistance to magazines like Tattabodhini Patrika, Somprakash, Mookerjee's Magazine, Bengalee, Doorbin and Hindu Patriot.

Translation of Mahabharata

Under his editorship, the Mahabharata was translated to Bengali in prose form, which is still read and published widely. The whole project was supervised by Vidyasagar. The translation was completed in a house named "Sarswatashram" at Baranagar in North Kolkata. Kaliprasanna distributed Mahabharata without taking any cost. Kaliprasanna compromised his several mahals(owned lands)to bear the expenses.

He also translated "Bhagavad Gita" the Hindu sacred scripture, which was published posthumously.

He had a contribution to Bengali theatre as well. His famous plays include "Vikramorvashi", "SabitriSatyaban", "MalatiMadhav" and "Babu". He also established the Vidyotsahini theatre and also acted in the play "Vikramaorvashi".

Social contributions

After the death of Harish Chandra Mukherjee in 1861, the magazine dedicated to welfare of native Indians, was facing extinction due to want of money. Kaliprasanna, who revered Harish Chandra immensely, bought the ownership at a cost of fifty thousand rupees, and appointed Shambhu Chandra Mookerjee for management of the magazine. Kaliprasanna also contributed five thousand rupees for preserving the memorial of Harish Chandra, and also wished to dedicate a land for development of a memorial building, which however did not materialise due to lack of interest among others. He also donated to the fund for saving the editor of "Hindu Patriot" Harish Chandra Mukherjee's house from auction after Harish's death.

He also advocated widow remarriage, and after the enactment of Widow Remarriage Act, to popularise the concept, he declared a reward of Rs 1000 to every man who married a widow.

When Rev. James Long, a priest of the Church Missionary Society was accused of sedition for translating the controversial "Nil Darpan", a drama, written by Dinabandhu Mitra, criticising the atrocities of British indigo merchants on native Indians, Kaliprasanna paid the entire amount of fine to be paid by Rev. Long.

Kaliprasanna was also appointed as a Honorary Magistrate and Justice of Peace in 1863. He also served as the Chief Presidency Magistrate of Calcutta for sometime. He was also elected as a Municipal Commissioner for Calcutta. Kaliprasanna however incurred huge financial crisis during the last few days of his life as he had no control on expenditure and there was no end to his donations.

Death

He died on 24 July 1870 at the age of 30, leaving behind his huge contributions. Kaliprasanna's extravagant ways most of which was dedicated to the welfare of the society however had toll on him in his last days. It was said that the distribution of several copies of Mahabharata alone cost him a huge sum of two and a half lakhs of rupees in those days. It has been also learnt, that though a major income of the zamindari family came from the revenue paid by peasants, Kaliprasanna though being a zamindar, fought for the cause of the peasants and freed several peasants from the revenue burden. In his last days, he was learnt to run into huge debts, and the large estates in Orissa and Bengal Club in Kolkata were sold. He was also deceived by friends and relatives.

Kaliprasanna died before having any issue. After his death, his wife adopted Bijay Chandra Singha, who took over the Hindu Patriot. After his death Krishnadas Pal wrote "But beneath the troubled waters of youth there was a silvery current of geniality, generosity, good-fellowship and high mindedness, which few could behold without admiring. With all his faults Kaliprasunno was a brilliant character and we cannot adequately express our regret that a career begun under such glowing promises should have come to such an abrupt and unfortunate close."

References

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