Prabhatkumar Mukhopadhyay (1873-1932) emerged as a novel voice in Bengali literature in the 90's of the last century. Gradually he achieved immense popularity in the genre of short story, even when Rabindranath Tagore's creativity in fictional writings was in its prime. Variety of backgrounds - both Indian and foreign, rural and urban - added a significant dimension to the popular image of his creativity. This far-extending vista of life comprising multicoloured aspects of the nature and behavior of people residing in different places of India and abroad had made Prabhatkumar's stories all the more attractive to his readers. A commendable craftsman, his popularity may also be attributed to the fact that he was never an extremist in his socio-ethical views. He gave a facile and suave expression of the contradictions in life and society by creating a mildly coloured chiaroscuro of simple pleasure and pain, hope and disappointment with his usual gracious detachment. Prabhatkumar is still remembered and revered as a unique writer for the perennial human appeal underlying his stories.

Dr. Gopikanath Roy Chowdhury, the writer of this monograph, is professor of Bengali at the Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan.

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