Samagra Smritichitra

🔹 Author: Parimal Goswami
🔹 Genre: Autobiography - Biography - Memoir
🔹 Format: Hardcover
🔹 ISBN: 9789350400371
🔹 Pages: 1112
🔹 Weight: 1482 grams

📝 Book Summary:
Parimal Goswami, the talented son of Rabindranath Tagore’s close associate Biharilal Goswami, possessed an extraordinary memory. A connoisseur of wit and wisdom, he often said that three remarkable events shaped his life—Halley’s Comet, Rabindranath Tagore, and the two World Wars.

While residing in a small room below the Jorasanko Thakurbari, he witnessed Rabindranath composing melodies, absorbing the essence of those historic moments. His life was enriched by the people he encountered and the bonds he formed through letters and personal interactions—an experience he considered nothing less than a divine blessing.

A distinguished literary figure, Parimal Goswami is best remembered today for his memoirs, which offer a unique glimpse into Bengal’s intellectual and cultural heritage. Combining his skills with both the pen and the camera, he meticulously documented the thoughts and portraits of Bengal’s eminent personalities.

His memoirs bring to life legendary figures such as Haricharan Bandopadhyay, Pramatha Chaudhuri, Rajshekhar Basu, Mohitlal Majumdar, Sajanikanta Das, Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay, Kazi Nazrul Islam, and Dada Thakur. His vast collection of carefully preserved letters captures a nostalgic era, featuring correspondences from Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay, Banaphool, Amiya Chaudhuri (wife of Nirad C. Chaudhuri), Sudhakanta Ray Chaudhuri, Harikrishna Dev, and Rajshekhar Basu.

Samagra Smritichitra is an extensive collection that brings together some of his most celebrated memoirs, including Smritichitran, Dwitiyo Smriti, Ami Jader Dekhechi, Patra Smriti, and Jokhon Sampadok Chilam, along with unpublished writings from Punaryatra Smritipothe. This volume serves as a literary time capsule, filled with humor, poetic grace, and cherished friendships, offering readers a nostalgic journey into Bengal’s golden past.

🖋 About the Author:
Parimal Goswami was born on September 1, 1897, in Satberia village, Pabna district (then part of undivided Bengal). His father, Biharilal Goswami, was a close associate of Rabindranath Tagore. Parimal’s early education took place across various institutions, and he later studied at Rajshahi College and Pabna Edward College before enrolling at Vidyasagar College, Kolkata, where he earned his Master’s degree with first-class honors. He also spent time at Santiniketan for further education.

He was actively associated with renowned publications such as Prabasi, Sabatarer Chithi, and Jugantar. A prominent voice in Bengali radio broadcasting, he was also an avid photographer, capturing rare portraits of eminent Bengali intellectuals—an invaluable historical treasure.

His literary contributions include essays, short stories, travelogues, and plays, but his memoirs remain his most treasured legacy.

🕊 Passed Away: June 26, 1976

📚 Other Notable Works:

• Smritichitran
• Dwitiyo Smriti
• Ami Jader Dekhechi
• Patra Smriti
• Jokhon Sampadok Chilam
• Punaryatra Smritipothe (Unpublished writings)