Comic characters ‘Bantul The Great’, ‘Handa Bhonda’, ‘Nonte Phonte’ have been the companion of several generations of teenagers growing up in West Bengal.Their creator and Padma Shri recipient Narayan Debnath passed away at 96 on Tuesday morning at a South Kolkata nursing home after a prolonged illness

The Padma Shri awardee had been admitted in hospital since December 24

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee took to social media to share the news. She was personally monitoring Debanath’s health since he was admitted to the hospital in the first week of January.

Shri Narayan Debnath Ji brightened several lives through his works, cartoons and illustrations. His works reflected his intellectual prowess. The characters he created will remain eternally popular. Pained by his demise. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 18, 2022

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Debnath brightened several lives through his works, cartoons and illustrations.

The West Bengal government awarded Debnath the ‘Banga Bibhushan’ in 2013. In addition to the Padma Shri Award, he was also presented with the Sahitya Akademi Award. The Rabindranath Tagore University had also honoured him with D.Litt degree.