February 26 marks the birth anniversary of Leela Majumdar, a towering figure in Bengali letters whose pen conjured worlds of wonder for children and poignant insights for grown-ups. Hailed as the ‘Patal Didi’ creator, this versatile writer bridged generations with her 125+ books. From Kolkata’s elite circles in 1908, her journey was one of scholarly excellence and creative fervor.
Raised partly in Shillong, Leela’s intellect blossomed early. Schooled at prestigious institutions like Loreto Convent, she graduated with top honors from Calcutta University, securing gold medals in English. Her teaching career spanned Darjeeling and Santiniketan, influenced by Tagore himself, before roles at Asutosh College and AIR, where ‘Monimala’ captivated audiences with its relatable depiction of Bengali womanhood.
Debuting young in ‘Sandesha’ with ‘Lakkhi Chele,’ Leela’s first children’s book ‘Baidyanathar Bari’ delighted, but ‘Din Dupure’ sealed her reputation. Her oeuvre includes diverse genres: everyday tales laced with humor and depth, novels probing family dynamics, and translations of global masters.
Majumdar’s genius lay in her empathetic portrayals—resilient women navigating household challenges, fantastical adventures for kids like in ‘Bak Badh Pala,’ and thought-provoking adult fiction such as ‘Padi Pishir Bormi Baksho.’ Her light touch on heavy themes made literature accessible and alive.
Even as she edited magazines and penned cookbooks, her core was storytelling that mirrored life’s joys and struggles. Satyajit Ray eyed one novel for the screen; Arundhati Devi brought it to life. On this jayanti, Leela’s enduring appeal reaffirms her status as Bengal’s beloved literary enchantress, whose words still dance in readers’ hearts.