Sentinel of Dark Times – Shyamal Kumar Pramanik

Shyamal Kumar Pramanik is a poet on social values and a remarkable writer of sub-altern literature and history. Born in a village named Nila under Diamond Harbour Sub-division of South 24 Parganas district in West Bengal on 4th March 1959, he passed MA in history from the University of Calcutta. He was an officer of the Reserve Bank of India. Twenty Six books of his poems, short stories, novels, essays and auto-biography have already been published. His writings have been discussed in many national and international journals and included in the syllabus of some universities. Short stories have been translated in English by the Centre for Translation of Indian Literatures, Jadavpur University. Many of his poems have also been translated in Hindi and other Indian languages. The poet has been awarded the Ananya Nandanik Sahitya Puraskar in the year 2000 and the Shakti Kumar Sarkar Puraskar in 2006.
Kalyan Basu, born in 1956 in Kolkata, completed schooling from St. Joseph’s College, Kolkata, graduation from St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata and post graduation from the University of Calcutta with a first class. Had been a dedicated student of Rabindra sangeet and other genres of songs, under tutelage of eminent veterans and an active member of “Indira’, the acclaimed music institution in memory of Tagore’s niece Indira Debi Choudhurani. An ardent travel lover locally, nationally and internationally; had also successfully completed many adventurous treks. Was a regular contributor to “The Herald during student days and in College and University magazines. From ’90s was a music reviewer for “The Telegraph”, “The Asian Age” and “Amrita Bazar Patrika’, where many of his trekking narratives and poetry were also published. Retiring from the Reserve Bank of India, Kolkata, had contributed to the Bank magazine too. His prime interests now focus on music, travelling. reading, writing and human interaction.