1938

1938 marks a convergence in the history of Devdas: Saratchandra Chattopadhyay died that year, while the novel’s first film adaptation appeared shortly before his death. The year thus links the end of the author’s life with the beginning of the story’s cinematic afterlife.

Saratchandra’s Death

Saratchandra Chattopadhyay died in 1938. The year is the only date specified for his death in the evidence.

The First Film Adaptation

The first film of Devdas, directed by Pramathesh Barua, was released just before Saratchandra’s death in 1938. Its timing places the novel’s transition to cinema at the close of the author’s life; the Hindi version gave cinema its first memorable Devdas, played by K. L. Saigal.