Munshi family of Kolkata

The Munshi family is one of the most noted families based in Kolkata (Paikpara-Talapark) and other associated places like DumDum, Barrackpore, Belgharia and Baguiati. This family was actually originated from the Chowgachha Zamindar Family of Jessore of undivided Bengal. Another lineage of this family currently belongs to Nimtita, Murshidabad. Munshis are regarded as one of the most influential personalities in Kolkata in the field of Indian fine and visual arts after Tagore family, Ray family and Chowdhury family (belongs to Pandit Ravi Shankar).

History

Munshis of Bengal belong to lineage of Das family. The most prominent ancestor of Munshis, as per historical evidences, was King Narasimha Das (affectionately called as Raja Naradas Thakur). Hoygriv, the son of Naradas Thakur received the Title 'Munshi' that was further followed by his descendants and now as well. One of the most noted personalities of Munshis was Banwari Charan Munshi who was one of the estate holders of the zamindary under Munshi family. Initially, this family used to live in Kadirpara village, but later they moved to Chowgachha village of today's Jessore.

Contribution in Indian Culture

• Service to mankind: Amulya Charan Munshi, son of Banwari Charan Munshi, was honoured with silver clock from the British Raj of India for his selfless service to mankind during the overwhelming period of 'Manwantar'. Surprisingly, that time there was no single report of casualties or victims under the zamindari of this family.
• Anukul Charan Munshi: Anukul Charan Munshi is considered to introduce the Mother of Pearl artistry in India with a new format by many critics. Still before him, the artistry was predominant, but he applied it differently to carve portraits or sculptures which was totally new in the field of Indian fine arts.
• Annada Munshi: Annada Munshi (1905-1985), son of Anukul Charan Munshi, was an Indian artist who is widely considered to promote the Indian Commercial Art on the platform of world Fine arts. He was born in Chowgachha Zamindar family (now in Shivnagar, Pabna, Bangladesh). He is regarded by many as the 'Father of Indian Commercial Art'. Munshi holds the credit to draw a beautiful conjunction between Fine Arts and Commercialisation. Satyajit Ray himself was trained the commercial art by Annada Munshi when Munshi was holding the post of Art Director in DJ Keymar and Co. Not only in fine arts, Munshi was extensively talented in music too. He possessed a soulful melodious voice and was efficient to play a handsome number of musical instruments, especially violin. 'Crucified India' is one of his notable literary works. In 1985, he breathed his last at his own residence at Talapark, Kolkata.
• Pratip Munshi: Pratip Munshi was extensively talented in the field of Mother of Pearl artistry. He belonged to the Murshidabad lineage of Munshis.
• Manu Munshi: Manu Munshi (1924-2009) was an Indian artist who is specially credited for 'Mother of Pearl Artistry'. Munshi was nurtured in the holy artistic environment with the inspiration from both his father and his elder brother Artist Annada Munshi (regarded as the Father of Indian Commercial Art by many). After completing Matriculation, getting driven by Annada's wish, Munshi joined the Studio of eminent artist Prahlad Karmakar, as a beginner before he joined the Art School in Kolkata. The former Chief Minister of West Bengal Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy sent his renowned Mother of Pearl art work titled 'Gandhiji's Noakhali Abhiyan' as the best representitive of 'Charu and Karu art of Bengal' to America. The patrons of his art works include ample number of legendary personalities like Satyajit Ray, Artist Annada Munshi (his elder brother and Father of Indian Commercial Art), Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, Barrister Subodh Chandra Roy, Artist Subho Tagore and so on. One of his legendary art works in the field of Mother of Pearl artistry is 'Indira Gandhi' that is still one of the highest examples to represent Indian Fine Arts on the major platform of world. He holds the credit of representing Tagore in different artistic poses nicely carved with metallic plates.
• Kumkum Munshi: Kumkum Munshi, son of Annada Munshi, was one of the most prominent artists in the field of Rubber-Solution based paintings.
• Manto Munshi: Manto Munshi (born as Sumitrajit Munshi) was a prominent Kolkata based Indian musical artist who was born to artist Annada Munshi and Jayati Munshi. Munshi was groomed in the musical culture under his family tradition as his father himself was blessed with a beautiful voice. Munshi was efficient in playing piano with level of self excellence.

Members

• Banwari Charan Munshi
• Anukul Charan Munshi
• Martyr Harendranath Munshi (Indian Independence activist and revolutionary)
• Amulya Charan Munshi
• Annada Munshi (Paikpara-Talapark lineage)
• Pratip Munshi (Murshidabad lineage)
• Manu Munshi (DumDum lineage)
• Jayati Munshi
• Maya Munshi
• Atulya Chandra Munshi (Physician, Belgharia lineage)
• Abir Munshi
• Kumkum Munshi
• Manto Munshi
• Bony Munshi Nag
• Shibashish Nag
• Bubu Munshi Eklund
• Lars Eklund
• Buku Munshi
• Shivapriya Bagchi
• Bampa Munshi
• Debangshu Munshi
• Himangshu Munshi
• Amitava Munshi
• Mamata Munshi
• Tapasi Munshi
• Aparna Munshi
• Subhasish Munshi
• Sugata Munshi
• Srijita Munshi
• Srijon Munshi
• Adrita Munshi
• Ayanika Munshi
• Arkadeep Munshi
• Sayak Munshi
• Sreedip Munshi

In popular culture and literature

Santanu Ghosh, a researcher in the field of history of Paikpara and Belgachia, composed two books on Munshis, their achievements and contributions to the society. The first book is 'Binodane Paikpara-Belgachia' (encompasses five personalities of Munshi family along with many other eminent personalities of Paikpara-Belgachia) and the second one is 'Munshianay Chollis Purush' (encompasses the forty personalities of Munshis).