Nobin Chandra Das
Nobin Chandra Das | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1845 Paschim Medinipur District, Bengal Presidency, British India (present-day Kolkata, West Bengal, India) |
| Died | 1925 (aged 80) |
| Other names | Nobin Moira of Bagbazar, Columbus of Rossogolla |
| Occupations | Businessman, Confectioner, entrepreneur |
| Years active | 1864–1925 |
| Known for | Rosogolla |
| Successor | Krishna Chandra Das (K.C. Das) |
| Movement | Bengali Renaissance |
| Spouse | Khirodmoni Devi |
| Children | 1 |
| Relatives | Bhola Moira (Grandfather-in-law) |
| Website | www |
Nobin Chandra Das (1845–1925) was a Bengali confectioner, popularly referred as the "Columbus of Rossogolla".[1][2]
Early life and career
Nobin Chandra was born in 1845.[3] In 1864, driven by poverty and with little provision to complete his education, he initially started working for the Indra family, confectioners from Shantipur in the Nadia district of Bengal. They were distant relatives of Nobin Chandra's mother, and their shop was located on Chitpur road in Bagbazar, Kolkata. Nobin Chandra was reportedly humiliated by the Indras, left the job and, aged 18, started his own sweet-shop at Jorasanko. Being respectable and prosperous sugar merchants, Nobin's family were initially unsupportive of his decision to run a small neighborhood corner shop. They even labeled him "moira" (a 19th Century Bengali slur word for a profession not held in high esteem). Ironically, the word has evolved to evoke a positive connotation, even admiration.
Nobin Chandra's Jorasanko business failed as he fell out with his partner and Nobin Chandra had no resources to offer credit to his customers, which competitors had begun doing. In 1866, he opened another shop on Chitpur Road directly across his first shop in Bagbazar. Most sweets were either the "Sondesh/Sandesh" variety, and made exclusively for the affluent or sweets made of "dal" (lentils) or flour from various grains.
Creation of Rosogolla
In 1868, Nobin Chandra modified the original recipe of "Rossogolla" that increased the shelf life of the sweet. This was to be his arguably most significant creation.[4] Nobin Chandra christened this creation the "Rossogolla".[2] It was a popular sweet of his time which was affordable across all economic segments of society. It took some time for Rossogolla to become popular in the absence of advertising and media as we know it today.[5]
Legacy
Nobin Chandra left his legacy to his son Krishna Chandra Das.[2][6]
In 2018, director Pavel made a film Rosogolla on the life of Nobin Chandra Das. Actor Ujaan Ganguly portrayed Nobin in the film.[7]
See also
References
- ^ "Calcutta celebrates Madly Mishti". The Times of India.
- ^ a b c "A sweet rush". The New Indian Express.
- ^ "Meet Bengal's 'Columbus of Rosogolla' who is said to have made the spongy sweet". Hindustan Times. 14 November 2017. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
- ^ "HISTORY OF RASAGULLA-INDIANMIRROR". www.indianmirror.com. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
The rasagulla which we eat now is not the exact recipe of Orissa but in the year 1868 Nobin Das modified the recipe as he wanted to extend the life of the sweet which was originally highly perishable.
- ^ Ghosh, Bishwanath (15 November 2014). "Kolkata Chromosome: Like KC for 'rossogolla'". livemint.com.
- ^ "K.C. Das". kcdas.co.in.
- ^ "Rosogolla, the Nabin Chandra Sen biopic, is a warm-hearted ode to the beloved sweet". Firstpost. 24 December 2018. Retrieved 3 March 2022.