Sukumar Ray

Who was Sukumar Ray?

Sukumar Ray was a Bengali humorous poet, story writer and playwright who mainly wrote for children. His works such as the collection of poems "Aboltabol", novella "HaJaBaRaLa", short story collection "Pagla Dashu" and play "Chalachittachanchari" are considered equal in stature to Alice in Wonderland. More than 80 years after his death, Ray remains one of the most popular of children's writers in both West Bengal and Bangladesh.

Sukumar Ray was the son of children's story writer Upendrakishore Ray, the father of Indian filmmaker Satyajit Ray and grandfather of Bengali filmmaker Sandip Ray. Sukumar Ray was also known as the convenor of "Monday Club", a weekly gathering of like-minded people at the Ray residence, where the members were free to express their opinions about the world at large. A number of poems were penned by Sukumar Ray in relation to the matters concerning "Monday Club", primarily soliciting attendance, announcing important meetings etc.