Dr. Kamal Kumar Kundu, born in 1950 to the late Mrityunjoy Kundu in Gopigunj, P.O. Kheput, District Midnapore, and currently residing in Padumbasan (Rajbarigate), P.O. Tamluk, District Pura Medinipur, West Bengal, India, is a distinguished figure in the fields of social work, literature, and education. He earned his Ph.D. in Ancient Indian History and Culture from the University of Calcutta.
His most notable contribution is his role in establishing an internationally renowned Archaeological Museum in Tamluk, an ancient city port known as Tamralipta. Inaugurated by Mr. Siddhartha Sankar Ray, the then Chief Minister of West Bengal, in 1973, this museum has attracted numerous national and international scholars and eminent personalities. His tireless efforts and dedication culminated in the transfer of this vibrant museum and its extensive collection of antiquities to the Archaeological Survey of India on August 9, 2001. This move allowed for the creation of a prominent ‘Site Museum’ at Tamluk. He also served on the advisory boards for the Mahaprabhu Srichaitanya Museum in Bagbazar, Kolkata, and the Garhbeta College Museum in Paschim Medinipur.

As a prolific writer, he has made significant academic contributions through his numerous publications. His works include seminal books such as “A Study in Retrospect” (1989), “Sutradharas of Bengal” (2002), “Zilla Medinipur: Swadhinatar Andolan” (2001), “Biplabtirtha Medinipur: Phire Deha Andolan” (2021), “Biraja Sankar Guha: Architect of Indian Anthropology” (2022), and “Tarpane Tirish” (2023). These books have been highly regarded by distinguished professors from Calcutta University for their insights into the cultural and socio-economic history of Bengal. Additionally, Dr. Kundu has edited several important texts, including “Tamoluker Prachin O Adhunik Bibaran” (by Umacharan Adhikary, 1873) (1995), “Prasanga Tamralipti” (1990s), “Umacharan Adhikary Pranita Tamoluker Prachin o Adhunik Bibaran Ebang Annyanya” (2017), and “Notes on the History of Midnapore, vol. 1” by J.C. Price (1876) (2019). His articles have been featured in various prominent newspapers, periodicals, and journals, further showcasing his expertise.

He has been a sought-after speaker at national and international seminars. Between 2005 and 2017, he was invited five times by the Asiatic Society, Kolkata, to present on topics related to indigenous people of India and the anthropologist Biraja Sankar Guha, including a workshop on museum display. In February 2016, he spoke at the 7th International Buddhist Research Seminar held at Nan Province, Thailand, on the ‘Cultural Geography of Buddhism’. He also participated as a panel speaker at the Paschimbanga Itihas Samsad on the archaeology of Tamluk in January 2005 and delivered the P.K. Bhowmick Memorial Lecture at the Institute of Social Research and Applied Anthropology, Narayangarh, Bidisa, on December 7, 2024.

Additionally, he has contributed to Doordarshan, Kolkata, with research and scriptwriting for programs on the socio-economic, art, and cultural history of Bengal. He has also been invited to speak on All India Radio, Kolkata, notably about the centenary of Sahid Kshudiram Basu.

In recognition of his outstanding contributions to social work, literature, and education, he was honored by the State Bank of India (Bengal Circle) on July 1, 1995, during its first anniversary celebration. He remains actively involved with several prestigious organizations, including The Asiatic Society, Kolkata, Indian History Congress, Paschimbanga Itihas Samsad, West Bengal Museum Association, and the International Council of Museums (ICOM).

*******************