‘My paan shop is also my writing desk': Meet Pintu Pohan, Bengali author of over 200 works
Written by Adrija Datta
In the heart of Behala's Madanmohan Tala, amid the hum of traffic and chatter, stands a small paan shop with an extraordinary tale. Behind its humble counter is 47-year-old Pintu Pohan — a prolific Bengali writer whose literary achievements have defied poverty, social ridicule, and years of struggle.
In 1998, with Rs 1,500 in savings, he set up his paan shop which would become both his livelihood and his writing desk. While serving customers over the years, he managed to write 12 novels and over 200 short stories and poems. While ten of his books have been published, eight of them are children's storybooks.
His works have been published in some of West Bengal's most respected magazines, including Desh, Anandamela, Anandabazar, Sananda, Suktara, and Nabakallol. 'I used to send my stories to various publications but it took 15 years of continuous struggle for my first writing to get noticed. Then the rest followed.'
His love for literature took root when he was in Class IV. But being born into a family of daily wage earners, financial hardship forced him to abandon formal education after joining Jogesh Chandra College. 'I have done everything; from selling fish and flowers to working as a mason and an electrician,' said Pohan, who earned as little as Rs 30 – Rs 60 a day in his early years but I never let go of his pen.
In 1998, with ₹1,500 in savings, Pohan set up his paan shop — which would become both his livelihood and his writing desk. Despite mockery and disbelief from those around him, Pohan remained focused on his dream. 'People laughed at me for writing at a paan shop,' he recalled. 'But I wrote anyway, between serving supari and betel leaves.'
Pohan added, 'I didn't get a job, so I continued with my paan shop to run my family. I sit here for nearly 16 hours that is how I created my own world — penning stories from this very spot, a world that no one can take away from me.'
Determined to complete his education, he enrolled at Netaji Subhas Open University and completed his bachelor's and master's degrees in Bengali in 2012 and 2015, respectively — all while managing his shop. He also pursued diploma courses in Hindi and computer studies, hoping to secure a stable job, but found little opportunity.
For a brief period, Pohan looked after the literature pages of two Bengali newspapers. However, both the newspapers eventually ceased operations, once again leaving him without platform.
Undeterred, he devoted himself fully to literature. His notable children's books include Thakurdar Ascharya Galpo, Aanta Buri Panta Buri, Ilishkheko Bhoot, Parulmashir Chagolchana, Kochuripanar Bhela, Dukhirampurer Dukhi Manushera, Noton Noton Payraguli and Jhinook Kumar.
His novel, Tunir, is inspired by his own life, while Bhajogobindopurer Natun Agantuk Ebong presents a collection of 124 stories. 'We have published majority of Pintu Pohan's books, which have garnered considerable popularity, particularly among children,' said Ashok Manna of Manna Publications.
(Adrija Datta is an intern with The Indian Express)
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