Question
Discuss the contribution of Upendra Kishore Roychoudhury to the growth of Bengali Press.
Answer
Upendra Kishore Roychoudhury was a prominent figure in the development of the Bengali press. He made significant contributions to the industry through his innovative techniques and entrepreneurial ventures. Firstly, he introduced the “halftone block” technique, which was a suitable block-making technique for using photographs in books. This technique was later modified into a metal block from a wooden block. Secondly, he imported modern equipment, colour and chemical from England in 1885, which revolutionized printing in the region. Thirdly, he was the first to introduce colour printing in Bengal after it was started in Western countries, making him a pioneer in the field. His introduction of modern half tone blocks also made him the first person to do so in South Asia. Roychoudhury’s contributions to the growth of the Bengali press were immense and laid the foundation for further advancements in the industry.
