Somen Chanda


Somen Chanda was a Marxist activist, writer and trade union leader of Bengal.

Early life

Somen Chanda was born in Narsingdi District, British India in 1920. In 1936 he passed Entrance examination from Pogose School and entered in medical school attached with Mitford hospital in Dacca. He was attracted to marxist politics and trade union movement in student life.

Literary works

Chanda joined in Progressive Writers' Association or Pragati Lekhak Sangha and anti fascist activism in Dhaka. He wrote his first novel Banya while he was at 17. He wrote number of short stories, drama and articles in their literary journals which were collectively published posthumously. His stories were translated in many languages.

Death

While leading a rally of workers of East Bengal Railway organised by the Soviet Suhrid Samity in Dhaka, Chanda was attacked by some hooligans and killed brutally on 8 March. 1942.