Reflection of Socio-Economic and Cultural Turmoil of 1940s and 1950s in Short Stories of Manik Bandopadhyay : a renowned litterateur

Abstract

The Progressive Movement or the Marxist Cultural Renaissance occurred in a blood- thirsty and horrible situation which was the outcome of The Second World war, Famine, Communal riots, Partition related refugee crisis and the Tebhaga Movement. Contemporary undivided Communist Party of India was the pioneer in this intellectual development. All – India Progressive Writers’ Association ( 1936), Anti- Fascist Writers and Artists related Organisation ( 1942) , Association of Friends of the Soviet Power ( 1941) and the famous I.P.T.A ( 1943) were established mainly for earnest endeavour of the Communist Party. Eminent author Manik Bandopadhyay was associated with the Anti- Fascist Cultural platform from 1943 and embraced the Marxist philosophy with heartfelt desire. He got membership of the Communist Party in 1944 and continued his creative works through a perfect amalgamation of identity of litterateur with identity of dedicated and devoted party – worker in different areas of Bengal. He created extraordinary short stories (1943/ 1944- 1956) in backdrop of food and clothing related severe crisis, famine – stricken terrible situation , hegemony of influential people of black market related trading system , moral degeneration , flesh trade / prostitution adopted by poor and helpless womenfolk, communal riots related bloodbath and aggressive peasant unrest etc.