The Bengali novel 'Pather Panchali' was written by:

"Pather Panchali" ("Song of the Little Road") is a Bengali novel by Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay, first serialised in 1928 and published as a book in 1929.

About the novel:

• It is set in the village of Nischindipur in rural Bengal in the early 20th century.
• It tells the story of the poor Brahmin family of Harihar Roy, especially his children, Durga and Apu, as they grow up.
• It describes the beauty of nature, village life, the joys of childhood, poverty and the death of Durga, after which the family leaves the village for Varanasi.
• It is partly based on the author's own childhood.
• Its sequel, "Aparajito" (1932), follows Apu's adolescence and education.

Satyajit Ray's films:

"Pather Panchali" (1955), Satyajit Ray's first film, was based on this novel. It won the "Best Human Document" award at the Cannes Film Festival (1956).

"Aparajito" (1956) and "Apur Sansar" (1959) completed the "Apu Trilogy", one of the greatest film series in world cinema.

The music for these films was composed by Pandit Ravi Shankar.

About Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay (1894-1950):

He was born in 1894 in a village in Bengal and spent much of his life at Barrackpur, North 24 Parganas.

His other famous works include:

• "Aranyak" (1939): about the forests of Bihar (now Jharkhand) and the people who lived there.
• "Chander Pahar" ("Mountain of the Moon", 1937): an adventure novel set in Africa.
• "Adarsha Hindu Hotel" and "Ichhamati" (which won the Rabindra Puraskar after his death).

Other Bengali novelists:

• Tarashankar Bandyopadhyay: "Ganadevta" (Jnanpith Award, 1966), "Hansuli Banker Upakatha".
• Manik Bandyopadhyay: "Padma Nadir Majhi" and "Putul Nacher Itikatha".
• Satyajit Ray (as a writer): "Feluda" and "Professor Shonku" stories.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Satyajit Ray directed the film "Pather Panchali" but did not write the novel.
• ✗Tarashankar Bandyopadhyay wrote "Ganadevta".
• ✗Manik Bandyopadhyay wrote "Padma Nadir Majhi".