Das, Sisir Kumar, 1936-2003

Sisir Kumar Das (1936–2003) was an Indian scholar of literature, specializing in Indian literature, as well as a linguist, poet, playwright, translator, and comparatist. His three-volume A History of Indian Literature (covering 1800–1910, 1911–1956, and 800–1399) is a significant contribution to the field. He also edited the multi-volume English Writings of Rabindranath Tagore. Das's work spanned various languages and literary traditions. Though his formal training was in Bengali language and literature, he significantly influenced the development of Comparative Literature in India. He advocated for a comparative approach to literary studies, arguing that it offered a more comprehensive understanding of literature. A poet and playwright in Bengali, Das received the Rabindra Puraskar twice (1976 and 1987). His poetry collection Abalupta Chaturtha Charan (The Disappeared Fourth Line) is considered a major work in 20th-century Bengali poetry. Several of his plays were performed by the theatre group Bahuroopi.