Remembering the author, painter, violin player and composer, technologist, entrepreneur and the publisher of the first Bengali children’s magazine “Sandesh” , on his158th birth anniversary.

UPENDRA KISHORE RAYCHOWDHURY(উপেন্দ্রকিশোর রায়চৌধুরী)
(12 May 1863 – 20 December 1915)

Upendrakishore introduced the idea of half tone block making and was also the pioneer of Bengali printing industry. Later, he started one of the best publishing houses in Kolkata named ‘U. Ray & Sons’

Upendrakishore introduced the idea of half tone block making and was also the pioneer of Bengali printing industry. Later, he started one of the best publishing houses in Kolkata named ‘U. Ray & Sons’

“Cheleder Ramayana” was the first book by Upendrakishore Roychowdhury. Upendrakishore embraced the liberal religious movement of Brahmo Samaj in 1883, after the death of his foster-father and he was a deeply religious man. But his scientific bent of mind is reflected in the numerous science articles he wrote for children. He published two remarkable books on popular science, which were classics in the Bengali language. “Sekaler Katha” described the geological history of Earth and the ancient animals like dinosaurs. Äakasher Katha” was an enthralling account of astronomy. His scientific interests were further nurtured by his close friendship to the scientists Jagadishchandra Bose and Prafullachandra Ray, all of whom lived and worked very close to each other. He also published a well known collection of children’s stories called Tuntunir Boi.

Also a musician, Upendrakishore wrote two books about music in Bengali – Sohaj Behala Shikkha, about learning to play the violin, and Sikhak Batorike Harmonium, about learning to play the harmonium as an accompaniment to Indian music. These were published by Dwarkin & Son, which was a famous music firm of the times, established by Dwarkanath Ghose, the inventor of the hand-harmonium.