About
166 Years of Heritage, Literature & Nostalgia
Dev Sahitya Kutir Pvt. Ltd. is one of Bengal’s most cherished and enduring names in publishing, carrying forward a remarkable 166-year-old publishing tradition across five generations.
Its roots go back to 1860, when Barada Prasad Majumder came to Kolkata and, beginning by carrying books from door to door, established B.P.M.’s Press. The publishing tradition was subsequently carried forward by his son Ashutosh Dev, under whose leadership the enterprise developed into the renowned publishing house known as Dev Sahitya Kutir.
A Legacy Connected with Vidyasagar
A particularly significant chapter in this journey is Dev Sahitya Kutir’s association with Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, one of the foremost figures in the development of modern Bengali language, education and literature.
Dev Sahitya Kutir acquired the copyrights of several of Vidyasagar’s works, including the iconic Borno Porichay. This association remains an important part of the publishing house’s literary heritage and its contribution to Bengali education and reading culture.
Books That Shaped Generations
Over the decades, Dev Sahitya Kutir has published an extraordinary range of books that have helped shape the reading habits of generations of Bengalis.
Its catalogue encompasses Borno Porichay, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Pouranik and mythological literature, classical works, translations, dictionaries, novels, children’s literature and illustrated books. The celebrated A.T. Dev dictionaries also remain an important part of its publishing legacy.
The Books That Became Memories
For generations of Bengalis, Dev Sahitya Kutir has been much more than a publishing house—it has been a part of childhood, family and cultural memory.
The names Suktara, Nabakallol, Hada-Bhoda, Batul the Great, Chhobite Ramayan, Chhobite Mahabharat, Thakumar Jhuli and countless storybooks evoke a special sense of nostalgia.
Suktara, now in its 79th year, has been one of the most beloved names in Bengali children’s reading. Nabakallol, now in its 66th running year, has grown into an important and widely remembered Bengali literary magazine. Both publications have become enduring institutions in Bengal’s literary and reading culture.
The familiar pink volumes, colourful illustrations, annual Puja editions and eagerly awaited monthly magazines became cherished companions in Bengali homes. For many readers, these books and magazines were not simply publications; they were an integral part of growing up.
A Living Legacy
Today, Dev Sahitya Kutir continues to publish Bengali literature, children’s books, reference works, dictionaries, comics and illustrated publications, carrying forward a tradition that has survived changing times, technologies and generations.
With a catalogue spanning hundreds of titles across diverse genres, the publishing house continues to connect readers with both the literary heritage of Bengal and the evolving world of contemporary publishing.
Dev Sahitya Kutir is therefore not merely a publishing house. It is a living part of Bengal’s literary and cultural heritage—a bridge between the Bengal of Vidyasagar and the Bengal of today, and a repository of books, magazines, characters and memories that continue to live in the hearts of generations of readers.
Dev Sahitya Kutir Pvt. Ltd. is one of the most renowned publication house in the city.
Officially the company was founded by Ashutosh Dev in the year 1928. Over the years the Publication house has come to be known for its various Journals, translations of Ramayana Mahabharata and other mythological stories, Classical children‘s literature translation, children’s Sharadiya or Festive edition publication among others. However, Dev Sahitya Kutir’s most important contribution remains till date the two Bengali magazines ‘Naballakol’ and ‘Shuktara’. The Pubication also publishes novels and stories by renowned writers.
A five generation enterprise, the forefather of this Publication was Suvaram Dev Pandua, who earned the title of ‘ Majumder’ from the Law and Order department for his exceptional service. His son Boradaprasad Majumder came to Kolkata in the year 1860. After coming to Kolkata he fell through hard times and started ferrying books from home to home. Through sheer hard work and perseverance he started a small press B.P.M’s Press. His third son who had changed his name to Ashutosh De, changed his surname to Dev, it was under his supervision that the press made phenomenal success.One by one he constructs several houses.
After the establishment of Dev Sahitya Kutir Pvt. Ltd. the company acquired the copy rights of several of Shri Vidya Sagar Mahasaya’s work. Then for the purpose to printing textbook Ashutosh Dev initiated a new company in the name of his son Prabod Majumder, P.C Majumder and Brothers. Even after the untimely death of his son, Ashutosh Dev he does not give up but teams up with eminent professors to publish the notes of J.A.T. Dev which eventually achieves phenomenal success among students.
After the endeavor of five generations the company today is run by Rajasri and continues to be a significant name among the youth-students, regional language publishing industry.
