Swarnakumari Devi

- May 27, 2022

Swarnakumari Devi, the elder sister of Rabindranath Tagore, was born on 28 August, 1855. Primarily educated at home and then married to the well-educated Janakinath Ghoshal in 1868, she published her first novel eight years after her marriage. The novel, called Deep Nirban or the Snuffing out of Light, was a call to nationalism. She went on to author numerous plays, poems, novels, and essays, becoming the first female Bengali author to gain prominence. Simultaneously, she also worked towards women’s and child rights her entire life.

Illustration: Narendra Pardhi; Design: Mala Narwani

To receive more such stories in your Inbox & WhatsApp, Please share your Email and Mobile number.

To receive more such stories in your Inbox & WhatsApp, Please share your Email and Mobile number.

Related Articles

The Sound of Service: Military Bands of India 

by Shree Sauparnika V.  Each year on 26 January, the sound of military bands marks India’s Republic Day celebrations along Rajpath (Kartavya Path). From the opening notes of the parade to the final march-past, music sets the rhythm of the nation’s most important ceremonial event. These bands do more than accompany the spectacle—they embody discipline, […]

Uttarayan Skies: The History of Kite Flying in India

by Shree Sauparnika V  Makar Sankranti marks a special moment in the Hindu calendar: the day Surya, the Sun God, begins his northward journey, known as Uttarayan. This celestial shift is deeply significant, symbolising the return of light, warmth, and hope. As the days lengthen, the harvest is gathered, and life moves toward renewal, making it an auspicious time […]

Myths Behind India’s Harvest Festivals

by Keya Gupta The end of winter is when winter crops such as sugarcane, wheat, and sesame are harvested across the country. The harvest of these crops is traditionally celebrated across the country, as Makar Sankranti in many North and South Indian states, Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Magh Bihu in Assam, and Lohri in Punjab […]

Comic of The Month

Shiva Parvati

A powerful demon threatens the gods in their heaven. They need a savior, who, Lord Brahma decrees, will be the son born to Shiva and Parvati. But Shiva, a badly-dressed, untidy, solitary ascetic, seems to enjoy bachelorhood. Even Parvati's unmatched beauty aided by Kama, the god of love, seems unequal to the task of enchanting the stern lord. This illustrated classic is based on Kumara Sambhava of Kalidasa.

Read Now
20 Minute Read