Eminent Bengali novelist Shaktipada Rajguru dies

Eminent Bengali novelist Shaktipada Rajguru, many of whose works were adapted into Hindi and Bengali films like 'Amanush', 'Meghe Dhaka Tara' and 'Barsat Ki Ek Raat', passed away today following age-related illness, family sources said.
He was 92 and is survived by two sons.
Rajguru had written more than a hundred novels and was a particular favourite with filmmakers till the eighties.
Ritwik Ghatak's path-breaking Bengali film 'Meghe Dhaka Tara' was based on his novel by the same name.
The 1975 film 'Amanush' was based on another novel of his which was made both in Bengali and Hindi.
Directed by Shakti Samanta, the hit film starred Sharmila Tagore and Uttam Kumar.

In 1981, Samanta again adapted his novel 'Anushandhan' into the Hindi film 'Barsaat Ki Ek Raat' which starred Amitabh Bachchan and Raakhee.

The Bengali version of the film had retained its original name 'Anusandhan'.
Born in 1922 in Bankura district, the writer was a recipient of the Bibhutibhushan award by the West Bengal government.
His works were translated into Hindi, Tamil and Malayalam.