Dhaka, Aug. 7 -- It was at a dinner at the Dhaka Club in 2007 that I met Sunil Gangopadhyay. Kobita Sankranti, a cultural organisation, was the host of the dinner. The organisation accorded him a reception in the evening at the VIP Lounge of the National Press Club. Poet and architect Rabiul Husain (now deceased) introduced me to him. Although he spoke to me warmly, the venue was crowded and I did not get the chance to talk to him at length. Fortunately, just two days later, I had another opportunity to meet him at Rabiul Husain's apartment in Dhanmondi.

Equally adept at prose and poetry, Gangopadhyay authored many memorable poems, novels, short stories, travelogues, and plays. He also brought his considerable talents to reviews, and com...