Sukumar Sahitya Samagra 1 by Sukumar Ray [Hardcover]

Sukumar Ray, the eldest son of Upendrakishore Ray, was born in 1887. After graduating with honors in Physics and Chemistry in 1906, he was awarded the Guruprasanna Ghosh Scholarship by the University of Calcutta in 1911, enabling him to pursue advanced studies in printing technology in England. He studied in London and Manchester, where he was recognized for his research.

In 1913, Sandesh, a monthly illustrated magazine for children edited by his father Upendrakishore, was first published. After Upendrakishore’s passing in 1915, Sukumar took over the management of the U. Ray and Sons printing business and assumed the role of editor for Sandesh. Most of Sukumar’s stories, poems, essays, and puzzles for children were published in the pages of Sandesh. He not only contributed his own writings but also created numerous illustrations for other writers’ works in the magazine.

Sukumar Ray is celebrated for his whimsical and nonsensical writings like Ha Ja Ba Ra La and Abol Tabol, which are filled with absurd humor and unconventional narratives. However, he also wrote serious essays on topics such as art, literature, language, religion, science, and technology. After battling black fever (kala-azar) for two and a half years, he passed away at the young age of 36 in 1923 at his home on 100 Garpar Road. Even in his last days, he continued to create for Sandesh, drawing illustrations, designing covers, and writing stories and poems. He even prepared the dummy copy of Abol Tabol from his sickbed, but tragically passed away just nine days before the book was published.