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K. C. Das

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For the manufacturer, see K. C. Das (chemist).

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 Bag bazar, Kolkata, Krishna Chandra was the only son and successor of the Bengali confectioner and sweetmeat inventor Nobin Chandra Das.[3] 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 as one of the creators of "Rosso Malai"[5] and invention of the vacuum canned "Rosso Golla",[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]

Krishna Chandra Das
কৃষ্ণচন্দ্র দাশ
Born1869
Bagbazar, Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India
Died1934 (aged 65)
Bagbazar
NationalityBritish India
Other namesK.C. Das, inventor of Rossomalai
Occupation(s)Businessman, confectioner, entrepreneur
Years active1900–1934
Known forInventor of Canned Rossogolla
PredecessorNobin Chandra Das
SuccessorSarada Charan Das
MovementBengali Renaissance
SpouseShwetangini Devi
Children6, including Sarada Charan Das
RelativesBhola Moira
Websitekcdas.co.in

Historical background

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Nobin Chandra Das left his confectionery business to his only son Krishna Chandra Das.[8]

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[9] 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.[10][11][12]

Life and family

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Krishna Chandra inherited a well-known confectionery legacy from his mother's family. His mother, Khirod Moni 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.[13] Krishna Chandra was married to Swetangini Devi. They had five sons and one daughter. In 1930, Krishna Chandra started his first shop, "Krishna Chandra Das Confectioner" with his youngest son,[14] Sarada Charan Das.

Contributions and legacy

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Krishna Chandra's major contribution was the introduction of the canned Rosso Golla and the creation of "Rosso Malai" in the year 1930, which became perennial favorites. To market his innovations, Krishna Chandra opened a new confectionery shop at Jora Sanko (in 1930) with his youngest enthusiastic son Sarada Charan Das. From there he popularized the canned Rosso Golla, which was the first and only canned dessert manufactured in India at that time.[15] This was the inception of the "K.C. Das" confectionery company, which was later enhanced and legally reestablished as K.C. Das Private Limited[16] 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 hands of Sarada Charan. Today K.C. Das Private Limited is widely acknowledged for their original creations such as "Rosso Golla" and "Rosso Malai".[17][18]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Krishna Chandra Das". iaslic1955.org. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  2. ^ "K.C. Das". kcdas.co.in. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  3. ^ Bishwanath Ghosh (29 October 2014). Longing, Belonging: An Outsider At Home In Calcutta. Westland. p. 177. ISBN 978-93-84030-60-5.
  4. ^ "K.C. Das". kcdas.co.in. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  5. ^ Krondl, Michael (2011). Sweet Invention: A History of Dessert. Chicago Review Press. ISBN 978-1-55652-954-2.
  6. ^ "K.C. Das Grandson Private Limited – Manufacturer & Exporter of CANNED SWEETS & INDIAN SWEETS from Kolkata". indiamart.com. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  7. ^ Ghosh, Bishwanath (15 November 2014). "Kolkata Chromosome: Like KC for 'rossogolla'". livemint.com/. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  8. ^ Ghosh, Bishwanath (15 November 2014). "Kolkata Chromosome: Like KC for 'rossogolla'". mint. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  9. ^ Nobin Chandra Das
  10. ^ "Rosogolla – Who owns it Bengal or Orissa | PinkJooz". Archived from the original on 3 July 2018. Retrieved 22 October 2014.
  11. ^ "Rasgulla: National Sweet Of India". iFood.tv. Archived from the original on 22 October 2014. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  12. ^ "Gulftimes : Rasmalai is simply the dessert to beat". m.gulf-times.com. 6 October 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  13. ^ Kavigan
  14. ^ "K.C. Das". kcdas.co.in. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  15. ^ Dhiman Das (3 December 2011), K.C.Das Rossogolla/Rosogolla/Rasgulla Story, retrieved 26 April 2016
  16. ^ "K.C. Das". kcdas.co.in. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  17. ^ "The Inventors of Rosogolla !! – Reviews, Photos – K.C. Das – TripAdvisor". tripadvisor.in. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  18. ^ IshitaUnblogged (16 April 2012). "Rôshogolla or Rasgulla – Bengali's Own Sweet". IshitaUnblogged. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
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