Rabisankar Bal

Rabisankar Bal (1962–2017), an esteemed Indian writer in the Bengali language, resided in Kolkata and pursued a career in journalism. He achieved distinction through the publication of over twenty literary works spanning various genres, encompassing novels, short stories, poetry, and essays. Renowned for his notable contributions, particularly exemplified in works such as Dozakhnama (Conversations in Hell) and Aynajibon (A Mirrored Life), both skillfully translated into English by the translator Arunava Sinha, Bal is acknowledged as a significant luminary in contemporary Bengali literature.^[1] His literary prowess earned him several accolades, underscoring his impact on the literary landscape.^[2]

Rabisankar Bal
Born	8 May 1962
Died	12 December 2017(2017-12-12) (aged 54–55) Kolkata, India
Nationality	Indian
Citizenship	India
Occupation(s)	Writer, journalist
Known for	Novelist, short story writer, journalist
Notable work	Dōjakhanāmā, Āẏanājībana
Children	2
Awards	Bankim Puraskar (2011)

Over the course of three decades, Rabisankar Bal authored 15 novels and curated five collections of short stories. In addition to his original creations, he undertook the translation of Saadat Hasan Manto's oeuvre into Bengali.^[3] Notably, Bal received the Sutapa Roy Chowdhury Memorial Prize from the West Bengal government for his novel The Biography of Midnight.^[4]

Regrettably, at the age of 55, after a brief illness, Rabisankar Bal succumbed to his maladies at B. R. Singh Hospital in Kolkata, marking the conclusion of a prolific literary career.^[5]

Works

Collection of Stories (গল্পগ্রন্থ)

1. দারুনিরঞ্জন
2. রবিশঙ্কর বল এর গল্প
3. আর্তোর শেষ অভিনয়
4. জীবন অন্যত্র
5. ওই মণিময় তার কাহিনী
6. সেরা ৫০ টি গল্প

Novels (উপন্যাস)

1. নীল দরজা লাল ঘর
2. পোখরান ৯৮
3. পাণ্ডুলিপি করে আয়োজন
4. বাসস্টপে একদিন
5. মিলনের শ্বাসরোধী কথা
6. নষ্টভ্রষ্ট
7. এখানে তুষার ঝরে
8. দোজখনামা
9. আয়নাজীবন
10. আঙুরবাগানে খুন
11. জিরো আওয়ার
12. মধ্যরাত্রির জীবনী

Collection of Poems (কবিতা)

1. হেমন্তের এলিজি
2. ত্রস্ত নীলিমা
3. ঊনপঞ্চাশ বায়ু

Non Fiction (প্রবন্ধ)

1. সংলাপের মধ্যবর্তী এই নীরবতা
2. কুষ্ঠরোগীদের গুহায় সংগীত
3. মুখ আর মুখোশ
4. জীবনানন্দ ও অন্যান্য

Edited and Translated Books (সম্পাদিত গ্রন্থ)

1. সাদাত হোসেইন মন্টো রচনাসংগ্রহ