Lagatar24 Desk
Kolkata, Jan 18: Cartoonist Narayan Debnath, who created the Bengali comic characters ‘Bantul The Great,’ ‘Handa Bhonda,’ and ‘Nonte Phonte,’ died on Tuesday morning in Kolkata after a protracted illness, according to the hospital where he was being treated.
Debnath, a Padma Shri recipient, died at 10.15 a.m., according to a medical official.
He was 97 years old at the time. On December 24, he was admitted to a private hospital and placed on ventilator support.
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday condoled the demise of noted cartoonist Narayan Debnath by saying that his passing away is an immeasurable loss to the world of literary creativity and comics.
“Extremely sad that the noted litterateur, illustrator, cartoonist, and creator of some immortal characters for children’s world, Narayan Debnath is no more. He had created Bantul the Great, Handa- Bhonda, Nonte- Fonte, figures that have been etched in our hearts for decades,” tweeted Mamta Banerjee.
We were proud to bestow upon him Bengal’s highest award Banga Bibhusan in 2013. His passing away is certainly an immeasurable loss to the world of literary creativity and comics.
My deepest condolences to his family, friends, readers and countless fans and followers.— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) January 18, 2022
The leader of opposition in the West Bengal assembly Suvendu Adhikari also condoled Debnath’s death. “His legacy will always be cherished by children and grown-ups alike. Condolences to family and countless admirers,” Adhikari tweeted.
