Renowned Bengali writer Sunil Gangopadhyay feels that people need to be optimistic about globalisation and culture will survive on its own

Sobriety, humility and simplicity looked pleased as the living legend carried them along in his journey of success. Sunil Gangopadhyay, the doyen of Bengali literature with unassuming looks and pleasant countenance, is a man who has learnt to take success in his stride. Born in Faridpur, the 74-year-old Bengali writer, who also happens to be the president of Sahitya Academy, was felicitated by the Bangiya Sanskriti Samsad (BSS), in Pune recently. A prolific writer, Sunil Gangopadhyay has authored more than 200 books and experimented with different genres, which include travelogues, children's fictions, poems, features, essays and short stories. He is one of those distinguished writers whose stories- Aranyer Din Ratri and Arjun, Pratidwandi have been made into films by Satyajit Ray.

"I started writing in my youth because when you are young you are sensitive. You fall in love, you feel the pain and then you automatically start writing," smiles he. But at the same time, he expresses concern over the indifferent attitude of the younger generation towards Bengali literature, "Learning English is very good as well as very important in today's scenario. Even knowledge of Hindi is much required but at the same time mothertongue should not be neglected. In fact the responsibility lies with the parents to create an interest among the children towards the literature."

The audience at the felicitation ceremony sat enchanted as a famous play of the author Praner Prahari was enacted by some of the members of BSS. While the playwright watched the play in rapt attention quietly appreciating the effort, the audience marveled at his sensitivity towards human emotions and lucid expressions in writing. An institution in himself, the writer started his career with poetry, however, in a candid confession he shares, "I was flabbergasted when I was asked to pen down my first novel. I did not know from where to start. It was then that I met an American writer who suggested that writing a novel is very easy. Just remember a date of your life and all that you did on that day. You'll get the idea for your story.

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