Kaliprasanna Singha

Kaliprasanna Singha (23 February 1840 – 24 July 1870), well known by his pen name Hootum Pyancha, was a Bengali author, playwright, and philanthropist. His most famous work was the translation of the ancient Hindu epic Mahabharata into Bengali. Singha's book Hootum Pyanchar Naksha (lit. 'Sketches by a Watching Owl'), a compilation of satirical social sketches, is another work that is noted for reflecting Bengali urban society of the time. He is also remembered as a philanthropist who helped several people and movements in distress.