Narayan Debnath

Narayan Debnath was an iconic Indian comics artist, writer, and illustrator, widely regarded as a pioneer of Bengali comic books. He is best known for creating legendary comic strips and characters such as Handa Bhonda (1962), Bantul the Great (1965), and Nonte Phonte (1969). Born in Shibpur, Howrah, British India, Debnath showed an early interest in visual arts and studied fine arts at the Indian Art College. Before breaking into the comics industry, he worked as a freelance illustrator for advertising agencies and children's literature publishers like Dev Sahitya Kutir. Debnath revolutionized the Indian comic book landscape by introducing relatable, humor-driven characters and slapstick tropes deeply rooted in Bengali culture. His creation Handa Bhonda holds the record for the longest-running comic series by a single individual artist, spanning over 53 continuous years. He also created Bantul the Great, widely celebrated as Bengal's first superhero, who gained an aura of invincibility during the Bangladesh Liberation War. In addition to print, several of his iconic characters have been successfully adapted into animated television shows and films, entertaining multiple generations of audiences. Throughout his illustrious career, Debnath received numerous accolades, including India's fourth-highest civilian award, the Padma Shri (2021), the Sahitya Akademi Award (2013), the Banga Bibhushan (2013), and a D.Litt. degree from Rabindra Bharati University (2015). He passed away on 18 January 2022 at the age of 96 in Kolkata.