Bengali children's literature loses its magic wand

Kolkata, Apr 5 (UNI) Lila Mazumder, a doyen of Bengali children's literature, died at a city nursing home today.

She was 99 and is survived by two sons and a daughter.

Family sources said she was suffering from old-age complications.

Considered to be one of the most powerful writers, who could see through the psyche of children and weave through magical imageries, Ms Mazumder was born on February 26, 1908. Her illustrious family boasted of legendary writers like Upendra Kishore Roy Chowdhury and Sukumar Roy.

She was the aunt of filmmaker Satyajit Ray, the son of Sukumar Ray.

Among the numerous books she authored were 'Lakhkhichhara', 'Podi Pisir Bormi Bakso', 'Halde Pakhir Palok', 'Batas Bari','Kheror Khata', 'Notun Chhele Natobor', 'Pakdandi', 'Sob Bhuture', 'Shibur Diary' and 'Guper Guptodhan'.

A recipient of honorary D Lit and 'Jagattarini Medal' of Calcutta University, she also received the prestigious Deshikottama award of Visva-Bharati besides various other honours, including 'Ananda Puroshkar' and 'Shishu Sahitya Puroshkar' for her outstanding contribution in children's literature.

A topper of English literature from Calcutta University, she was also the joint editor of 'Sandesh', a famous Bengali children's magazine from 1963 to 1994. She also had a long stint with the Kolkata station of All India Radio conducting a popular programme.

She was an odd blend of all childhood fantasies, enigma and outstanding sense of humour. Even while writing about her family members, be it cousin Sukumar Roy or nephew Satyajit Ray, the spurt of wit refused to wane.

As with her illustrious relatives, cousin Sukumar Ray and nephew Satyajit, the appeal of her writing was, however, not restricted to children alone. It was marked by a rare human touch and humour. ''I really like her sense of humour and the way she writes about her own family, poking fun at them,'' said author Nabanita Dev Sen.

The darling of the young and the young at heart always offered something special to her readers with her distinctive style ever since the publication of her first story, 'Lakkhichhara', in Sandesh, the magazine launched by her uncle, Upendra Kishore Roy Chowdhury.

Expressing shock at her death, Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee said the contribution of Ms Majumder would ever be remembered in Bengali literature. ''In her death an important link between the past and the present generation has been snapped,'' he said in a condolence message.

Noted literary persons thronged the nursing home and her South Kolkata residence to pay their last respect to the departed writer.

UNI