K. C. Das
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Krishna Chandra Das | |
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| কৃষ্ণচন্দ্র দাশ | |
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| Born | 1869 |
| Died | 1934 (aged 65) Bagbazar |
| Nationality | British India |
| Other names | K.C. Das, inventor of Rossomalai |
| Occupation(s) | Businessman, confectioner, entrepreneur |
| Years active | 1900–1934 |
| Known for | Inventor of Rossomalai, Canned Rossogolla |
| Predecessor | Nobin Chandra Das |
| Successor | Sarada Charan Das |
| Movement | Bengali Renaissance |
| Spouse | Shwetangini Devi |
| Children | 6 |
| Relatives | Bhola Moira |
| Website | kcdas |
Krishna Chandra Das (1869–1934), commonly referred to as K.C. Das, was a Bengali confectioner, entrepreneur, businessman and Bengali cultural icon of the early 20th century.[1][2] Born in 1869 in Bagbazar, Kolkata, Krishna Chandra was the only son and successor of the Bengali confectioner and sweetmeat inventor Nobin Chandra Das.[3] Krishna Chandra was a versatile enthusiast with a spirit of scientific exploration. He developed an electric loom, a soda fountain machine, did extensive research on homeopathy, and researched eastern and western classical music.[4] Krishna Chandra Das became an iconic figure in the 1930s Kolkata with his original creation the "Rossomalai"[5] and the vacuum canned "Rossogolla",[6] which were popularized and promoted throughout India by his family organization K.C. Das Private Limited, founded by Krishna Chandra's son and successor Sarada Charan Das.[7]
Historical background
Nobin Chandra Das left his confectionery business to his only son Krishna Chandra Das.[8] Krishna pioneered an exploratory spirit in the family confectionery business, enabling it to grow as a leading Indian confectioner.[9]
Krishna Chandra, having an immense liking for scientific innovations and machinery, initially started a mechanical and scientific workshop at Bagbazar. His primary focus was developing new technology to modernize and revamp the Bengali sweet confectionery. Unfortunately his mother Khridmoni Devi[10] vehemently opposed the idea of redefining Nobin Chandra Das’ confectionery in the light of science and experimentation. This drove Krishna Chandra (K.C.Das) to break out of his father's confectionery and create an original development as an extension to the family business under his own title. His vision to imbibe scientific methodology was soon realized and rewarded in terms of economic and technological success. It is probably largely due to the pioneering efforts of K.C. Das that the "Rossogolla" is widely regarded as the national sweet of India.[11][12][13]
Life and family
Besides being privileged to have the legendary "Nobin Moira" as his father, Krishna Chandra also inherited a well-known confectionery legacy from his mother's family. His mother, Khirodmoni Devi, was the granddaughter of Bholanath Dey, better known as "Bhola Moira" in the history of nineteenth century Bengal. "Bhola Moira" holds a place in Bengali folklore and culture, not just as a professional confectioner but as an accomplished poet-minstrel.[14] Krishna Chandra was married to Shwetangini Devi. They had five sons and one daughter. In 1930, Krishna Chandra started his first shop, "Krishna Chandra Das Confectioner" with his youngest son,[15] Sarada Charan Das.
Contributions and legacy
Krishna Chandra's major contribution was the introduction of the canned Rossogolla and the creation of "Rossomalai" in the year 1930, which became perennial favorites. To market his innovations, Krishna Chandra opened a new confectionery shop at Jorasanko (in 1930) with his youngest enthusiastic son Sarada Charan Das. From there he popularized the canned Rossogolla, which was the first and only canned dessert manufactured in India at that time.[16] This was the inception of the "K.C. Das" confectionery company, which was later enhanced and legally reestablished as K.C. Das Private Limited[17] under the Companies’ Act of 1946 by Krishna Chandra's son and successor Sarada Charan Das. Krishna Chandra died within four years of the opening of the company, leaving the affairs of the nascent company in the able hands of Sarada Charan. Today K.C. Das Private Limited is widely acknowledged for their original creations such as "Rossogolla" and "Rossomalai".[18][19]
See also
References
- ^ "Krishna Chandra Das". iaslic1955.org. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
- ^ "K.C. Das". kcdas.co.in. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
- ^ Bishwanath Ghosh (29 October 2014). Longing, Belonging: An Outsider At Home In Calcutta. Westland. p. 177. ISBN 978-93-84030-60-5.
- ^ "K.C. Das". kcdas.co.in. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
- ^ Krondl, Michael (2011). Sweet Invention: A History of Dessert. Chicago Review Press. ISBN 978-1-55652-954-2.
- ^ "K.C. Das Grandson Private Limited – Manufacturer & Exporter of CANNED SWEETS & INDIAN SWEETS from Kolkata". indiamart.com. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
- ^ Ghosh, Bishwanath (15 November 2014). "Kolkata Chromosome: Like KC for 'rossogolla'". livemint.com/. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
- ^ Ghosh, Bishwanath (15 November 2014). "Kolkata Chromosome: Like KC for 'rossogolla'". mint. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
- ^ "K.C. Das".
- ^ Nobin Chandra Das
- ^ "Rosogolla – Who owns it Bengal or Orissa | PinkJooz". Archived from the original on 3 July 2018. Retrieved 22 October 2014.
- ^ "Rasgulla: National Sweet Of India". iFood.tv. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
- ^ "Gulftimes : Rasmalai is simply the dessert to beat". m.gulf-times.com. 6 October 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
- ^ Kavigan
- ^ "K.C. Das". kcdas.co.in. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
- ^ Dhiman Das (3 December 2011), K.C.Das Rossogolla/Rosogolla/Rasgulla Story, retrieved 26 April 2016
- ^ "K.C. Das". kcdas.co.in. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
- ^ "The Inventors of Rosogolla !! – Reviews, Photos – K.C. Das – TripAdvisor". tripadvisor.in. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
- ^ IshitaUnblogged (16 April 2012). "Rôshogolla or Rasgulla – Bengali's Own Sweet". IshitaUnblogged. Retrieved 26 April 2016.