Mahasweta Devi

Mahasweta Devi (14 January 1926 – 28 July 2016) was an Indian writer in Bengali and an activist. Her notable literary works include Hajar Churashir Maa, Rudali, and Aranyer Adhikar. She was a self-proclaimed leftist who worked for the rights and empowerment of the tribal people (Lodha and Shabar) of West Bengal, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh states of India. She was honoured with various literary awards such as the Sahitya Akademi Award (in Bengali), Jnanpith Award and Ramon Magsaysay Award along with India's civilian awards Padma Shri and Padma Vibhushan.

Devi's major works are as listed below:^[27]

• Jhansi Rani (1956, biography)
• The Queen of Jhansi, by Mahasweta Devi (translated by Sagaree and Mandira Sengupta). This book is a reconstruction of the life of Rani Lakshmi Bai from extensive research of both historical documents (collected mostly by G. C. Tambe, grandson of the Queen) and folk tales, poetry and oral tradition; the original in Bengali was published in 1956; the English translation by Seagull Books, Calcutta, 2000, ISBN 8170461758
• Hajar Churashir Maa (1974, novel)
• Aranyer Adhikar (1979, novel)
• Agnigarbha (1978, short stories collection)
• Murti (1979, short stories collection)
• Neerete Megh (1979, short stories collection)
• Stanyadayani (1980, short stories collection)
• Chotti Munda Ebong Tar Tir (1980, short stories collection)

Film adaptations[edit]

• Sunghursh (1968), Hindi film based on short story Layli Asmaner Ayna^[28]
• Rudaali (1993)^[29]
• Bayen (Hindi) (1993) a film based on Short story Directed by Gul Bahar singh
• Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa (1998)^[29]
• Maati Maay (2006), Marathi film based on short story Baayen^[29][30]
• Gangor (2010), Italian film based on short story Choli Ke Peeche^[29]
• Ullas (Bengali film based on three short stories— Daur, Mahadu Ekti Rupkatha and Anna Aranya) directed by Ishwar Chakraborty, released in 2012.