Kalidas Roy

Kalidas Roy (1889–1975) was a poet of the Tagore era of Bengali literature and a teacher. He was born in Karui in Bardhaman in a Vaidya family and was a descendant of the Vaishnava poet, Lochandas. His father was Jogendranath Roy. He wrote in both Arabic and Persian.

Career

He earned his first degree from the Berhampore College, then affiliated with the University of Calcutta. Later he studied for his MA examinations in philosophy from the Scottish Church College.^[1]

During his teaching career, Roy taught in various institutions like Barisha High School (24 Parganas, near Kolkata) and Mitra Institution, Bhowanipore Branch, Kolkata, where he served as the headmaster.

He was one of the poets of the Tagore era of Bengali literature. His poetry was specially influenced by Vaishnava thoughts. He wrote 19 books of verses. His famous poems include Chhatradhara (The Stream of Students), which describes a teacher's appreciation of his interaction with students, and Triratna (The Three Jewels). In addition to poetry, he also translated Sanskrit works and made critical reviews of books.

In Kolkata he lived in a house near Tollygunge, which he christened as "Sandhyar Kulai" (Evening Abode). He died on 25 October 1975.

Bibliography

A few of his books of poetry are:

• Parnaput
• Ritu Mangal
• Kisholoy
• Brojobenu
• Bolkali
• Lajanjali
• Ballari
• Aharan
• Aharani

Awards

• Kavishekhar (The Chief/Topmost Poet, 1920), awarded by Bangiya Sahita Parishad, Rangpur
• Jagattarini Swarna Padak (Gold Medal, 1953), from the University of Calcutta
• Sarojini Swarna Padak (Gold Medal), from the University of Calcutta
• Ananda Purashkar (1963) awarded by Anandabazar Group
• Rabindra Purashkar (1968), awarded by for his poetry called "Purnahuti"
• Deshikottam (1970), awarded by the Visva Bharati University
• Hony. D.Litt. (1972) from the Rabindra Bharati University
• Hony. D.Litt. (1976, posthumous) from the University of Burdwan

References