Born on the 26th of July, 1934, in the
cultural heart of Kolkata, the childhood of Shri Asoke Palit was marked with
the intellectual curiosity into the world of letters and he had a penchant for
reading and reciting poetry.With an unwavering devotion to his mother tongue,
he crowned his academic path with a Master’s degree in Bengali Language &
Literature from the University of Calcutta—a discipline he would go on to
illuminate for decades through his teaching and his art. But it was through
poetry and elocution that Shri Palit’s soul found its truest articulation. In
the 1960s, when poetry recitation sessions became popular in various events in
Kolkata, he started reciting on stage. In the 1970s, Professor Palit evolved
into an accomplished reciter, and also established an organization called
'Samakal', through which he produced a range of programs showcasing different
aspects of Bachik Shilpa (spoken word art). His adaptation of Rabindranath
Tagore's novel 'Char Adhyay' into a
Audio drama(shruti-natak) featuring a marquee cast of reciters like Pradip
Ghosh, Partha Ghosh, Gouri Ghosh, Debdulal Bandyopadhyay is still revered as a
milestone. Another notable production was 'Rekho Maa Dasere Mone', a multimedia
performance celebrating the birth anniversary of poet Michael Madhusudan Dutta,
which combined poetry recitation, readings, songs, and dramatic scenes,
featuring most of the prominent reciters including actor Soumitra
Chattopadhyay, throws light on the
versatility of Shri Palit who excelled not only on stage but also in
radio and television. He had a deep passion for analyzing the ‘chhanda’
(rhythm) of Bengali poetry.His voice, rich with cadence and conviction, found
eternal echo in audio cassettes such as:
• Chhande
Bhange Andhakaar (Rhythm Dispels Darkness)
• Katha
Bolchhi (I Speak)
Bedides, his poetic oeuvre, deeply
introspective and resonant with existential reflection, includes:
• Shunye
Haat Sadhkhani (Empty Hands, Yearning Soul)
• Je
Jaar Nijer Flate (Each in His Own Flat)
• Churna
Vasma (Fragmented Ashes)
• Manisha
Jane Na (Manisha Does Not Know)
• Nirbachito
Kobita Sangraha (Selected Poems)
As a co-editor, he lent his discerning
touch to ‘Amerikay Shishir Kumar’ (Shishir Kumar in America), a cultural bridge
across continents and sensibilities.
Equally revered as an elocutionist,
Professor Palit saw the spoken word not merely as performance, but as a sacred
transmission of emotion, thought, and rhythm. His book ‘Proshnottore Abritti’
(Recitation in Questions and Answers) became a cornerstone for students and
practitioners alike—demystifying the art while preserving its soul.
Throughout his life, he received numerous
awards and accolades. One of the most notable recognitions was the *Kazi
Sabyasachi Samman* award, conferred upon him by the Paschim Banga Kabita
Academy in 2021, towards the end of his life.
Shri Palit passed away on January 21, 2025, due to age-related health issues. In every sphere he touched—whether as an educator, poet, or voice artist— he exuded quiet brilliance, compassion, and a fierce commitment to the Bengali language and its literary heritage. His legacy endures not only in print or recording, but in the minds he awakened, the hearts he stirred, and the silences he taught us to listen to.
