Eminent Writer and President of the Sahitya Akademi, Sunil Gangopadhyay Died

President of the Sahitya Akademi and an eminent writer, Sunil Gangopadhyay died on 23 October 2012 due to heart attack at his residence in Kolkata. Gangopadhyay who died at the age of 78 is now survived by his wife and a son. 

About Sunil Gangopadhyay

Born on 2 September 1934, Sunil Gangopadhyay was an acclaimed poet and novelist from India. He provided a platform for the poets of new generations with Krittibas a seminal poetry magazine that he started in 1953 as a founder editor. He was successful as a novelist, short story and travelogue writer as well as for his writings as children fiction. 

He as a poet and novelist has more than 200 books by his name and won several awards and honours as credentials to his name. His pen names were Sanatan Pathak, Nil Upadhyay and Nil Lohit. 

Awards and Honours 

•    He received Ananda Puraskar in 1972 and 1989
•    He was awarded with Sahitya Akademi Award in 1985
•    Gangopadhyay was honoured as Sheriff of Kolkata in 2002 as a prominent citizen of the city
•    He was honoured with India’s highest literary award Saraswati Samman in 2004- this award is also listed under Schedule VII of Indian Constitution
•    In the year 2011 he won the Hindu Literary Prize, shortlist, The Fakir
•    In the year 2012 received Sera Bangali Lifetime Achievement Award by Star Ananda