Shyamal Gangapadhyay was born on 25 March 1933, in Khulna, Bengal Presidency, British India(Now in Bangladesh). He was a Bengali novelist and editor.
He was attracted to student politics while studying in college. In the meanwhile, he worked in a Steel factory in Belur. After completion of graduation in 1956, he also worked as a teacher for a few days in Mathuranath Bidyapith.
He started his journalism career in Anandabazar Patrika. A number of short stories were published in Anandabazar. His first novel was Brihannala was published as Arjuner Aggatobas and his most admired novel Kubere Bishoy Ashoy in Desh.
He received Sahitya Academy Award in 1993 for the novel Shahjada Darasukoh, based on the life of Mughal Emperor Dara Shukoh. He won Bibhutibhushan memorial award in recognition of his contribution to Bengali literature and the Gajendra Kumar Mitra memorial prize, Sarat Purashkar in 2000.
