Umaprasad Mukhopadhyay
1902-1997
- SRI UMAPRASAD MUKHOPADHYAY, the third son of Sri Asutosh Mukhopadhyay, was born in Calcutta on October 12, 1902. He is most well-known for his life-long association, his myriad travel experiences and his great love for the Himalayas.
He passed the Matriculation Examination from the Mitra Institution, Bhowanipore, in 1919 and stood third in order of merit and was awarded scholarship. He stood first in intermediate Arts Examination from the Presidency College, Calcutta in 1921. He passed the Bachelor of Arts Examination with Honors in English from the Presidency College, Calcutta, in 1923 and was placed first in First Class. He obtained the Degree of Master of Arts in Ancient Indian History and Culture in 1925 and stood second in first class. He passed Law Examination from the University Law College, Calcutta, in 1928.
Umaprasad started his professional career as an advocate. He was also a Lecturer of Law in the University of Law, Calcutta, and continued…
In the year 1919 Umaprasad had been to Darjeeling with his father and witnessed the Himalayas for the first time.
He made extensive tour of almost whole of India, Burma, Sri Lanka, Indo-China, Cambodia, etc. But his passion for the Himalayas was limitless. From Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Garwal, Kumayun region to far Kailas an dthe Manas Sarobar of Tibet were his places of itinerary.
Umaprasad not only saw or felt the Himalayas, but also spread the message of the Himalayas to everybody by his marvelous writings. His travelogues brought a new trend in Bengali travel writing.
His first book Gangavatarana, was published in 1955. His excellent book Manimahes is the first book of travelogue which won Sahitya-Akademi Award.
He also edited some, important books, of which Syamaprasader Dayeri O Mrtyuprasanna (1988) deserves special mention. Some of his remarkable books are Gangavataran (1955, 1967), Himalayer Pathe Pathe (1962), Kuanrir Giripathe (1967), Pancakedar (1968), Manimahes (1969), Kailas O Manas Sarovar (1977), Palamauer Jangale (1982), Muktinath (1983), Saratchandra Prasanga (1983-1990), Alochhayar Pathe (1985), Album Punasca (1987), Punasca (1989), Dheyare Alokrekha (1993), etc. He also edited Asitoser Chatrajivan (1986).
The rich book collection of Umaprasad on the Himalayas and travelling was donated to the National Library, Calcutta which has kept it with his father’s huge and very rich collection named ‘Asutosh Mukhopadhyay Collector.
The Himalayan Association was founded under the lead given by Umaprasad Mukhopadhyay and Prabodhkumar Sanyal.
Umaprasad came in close contact with famous Bengali literature Saratchandra Chattopadhyay. During Saratchandra’s last days Umaprasad was his constant companion. He had the courage to publish in 1925 Saratchandra’s Pather Davi which was banned by the British rulers. He was closely associated (1328-1334 B.S.) with Vangavani, a monthly literary journal publishrd from the Bhowanipore residence of his father Sir Asutosh Mukhopadhyay.
Umaprasad also came in close contact with eminent personalities like Subhaschandra Basu, Prafulla Chandra Roy, Bidhan Chandra Roy, Dilip Kumar Roy, Atulchandra Gupta.
He was also a very good Photographer. Alok-chitra Himalaya is an excellent compilation of his photograph on the Himalaya. His photograph are now being preserved in the Photographic Archivers of India.
He happened to be one of the oldest football refrees of Calcutta. Very few people know about his diverse qualities as he was reluctant to be published. He was apathetic to self advertisement. Like a saint he devoted his whole life to become a wandering ascetic of the Himalayas. Umaprasad received many awards including Bankimchandra Medal, Manackjee Rustomjee Memorial Scholarship and Medal. Tawney Memorial Prize, Duff Scholarship, Stephen Finney Medal, Dwijendralal Ray Scholarship, Saradaprasd Prize, Jaynarayan Prize, Nabinchndra Kundu Prize, Nobokrishto Kar Medal etc. for his brilliant academic performances. His commendable literary achievement he was honoured with the Sahitya Acdemy Award in 1971.
Sri Mukhopadhyay breathed his last on October 12,1997, which happens to be his birthday.