He put Sense in 'Nonsense'! - Priyanka Guha | Illustrations By Sukumar Ray

Artwork by Arko Chakraborty

- Priyanka Guha

Sukumar Ray, a 19th-century poet who founded the 'Nonsense Club' when he was completing his graduation from Presidency College, Calcutta was born on 30^th October 1887. His thought invoking, heart touching, humorous and seemingly nonsensical poem was a critical commentary on the society he lived in. In his short lifetime, he gifted the Bengali literature with satire and genre of pure nonsense and gibberish thus creating an immense impact of his work.

Sukumar Ray was the second among his six siblings. His father, Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury was a writer of stories and popular science; painter and illustrator; musician and composer of songs; a technologist and hobbyist astronomer and had the greatest influence in his life. Born in a Brahmo family during the pinnacle of the Bengali Renaissance in Calcutta, India, he grew up in an environment that nurtured his literary talents.

After completing his schooling from City School, he founded the 'Nonsense Club' in college to publish a handwritten magazine on humor called ‘32 and ½ fries’. First published here, his poem was filled with humor and the world came to know of Sukumar’s ingenious mind. On 1911 at the age of 23, he went to England on a fellowship to study Photography and Printing at School of Photo-Engraving and Lithography, London. Upendrakishore had never been to abroad but he made sure that his son had the chance. Sukumar was one of the young admirers of Rabindranath in London and wrote an article introducing Tagore to the west. It was published in the Quest. He completed his education abroad in 1913 with a bronze medal to show for. He got married with Suprobha, the daughter of Jogot Chandra Das and grand-daughter of Atul Prasad Sen and had a son whom they named Satyajit.

After the death of his father, Sukumar took up all the responsibilities of the children’s magazine called Sandesh. With a specific and different style to capture young minds, the magazine continued to grow. His first poem written for Sandesh was 'Khichuri', which was later, published in his book Abol Tabol. His humorous writings along with his unusual illustrations gained immense popularity among children. A prominent personality in the reformist wing of Brahmo Samaj, he campaigned the idea of making Tagore the face of the society. A poem titled 'Atiter Katha' was published as a small booklet to introduce the rationale of the Brahmo Samaj to children.

Sukumar’s creations are timeless. From his commentary of the corrupt political practices of the society to his thoughts on the education system can be found in his works like 'Laxman er Shaktishell, 'Gorur Buddhi', 'Bujhiye Bola', 'Note Boi'. His characters like Pagla Dashu and Vobodulal still represent common man's reality.” A pioneer in the field of illustration, he had a keen eye for caricature, expressions, actions, proportions and human anatomy.  He is also well known for his pun-riddled writings like the novella HaJaBaRaLa, short story collection Pagla Dashu and plays Chalachittachanchari.

"on his 131st birthday, we recall him with laughter and hilarity!"