Kaliprasanna was admitted to Hindu College, presently known as Presidency College. In 1857 he left College. He continued his education in English, Bengali and Sanskrit at home. He enhanced his English knowledge under the guidance of an European teacher Mr.Kirkpatrick. He had contribution in different fields as an author, editor, a publisher, a philanthropist, a social worker, and a great patron of art, literature and culture.
Other than his contribution to literature, Kaliprasanna had immense contribution to Bengali theatre too. Kaliprasanna made He established the Vidyotsahini Sabha(a platform for those interested in education) at the age of 14. It was established most probably in 1855. Eminent gentlemen like Krishnadas Pal, Acharya Krishna Kamal Bhattacharya, Peari Chand Mitra, and Radhanath Sikdar were associated with it. Vidyotsahini Sabha was mainly responsible for promoting Hindu theatre, and Bidyotsahini Mancha was set up in 1857 at Kaliprasanna's home. The members of this group performed "Shakuntala" in 1857. According to an witness " The performance of 'Sakuntala' at Simla was, however a faliure, This is not to be wondered at; for Sakuntala being a masterpiece of dramatic genius, requires versatile and consummate talent for its representation, rarely to be met with in this country." Later on Kaliprasanna enacted the play "Benisanhar", which received a warm response and the performance was praised in Samvad Prabhakar. Young Kaliprasanna played the role of Bhanumati, a female character. Later in 1857 only, Kaliprasanna himself wrote the play "Vikramorvashi" based on the Sanskrit composition of Kalidas. Kaliprasanna played the role of Pururava while eminent personalities like Womesh Chandra Bonerjee also participated in the play. The drama was highly eulogised including the performance of Kaliprasanna as actor. Through Vidyotsahini Sabha he felicitated Michael Madhusudan Dutt for introducing blank verse in Bengali poetry. Kaliprasanna awarded Michael Madhusudan with a certificate and a silver peg.
Kaliprasanna also wrote several other plays like Babu (1854), Sabitri Satyaban (1858), Malati Madhab (1856)
He also edited/published several magazines like Vidyotsahini Patrika, Paridarshak, Sarvatattwa Prakashika, Bibidhartha Samgraha etc. Paridarshak was a Benagli daily newspaper started by Jaganmohan Tarkalankar and Madangopal Goswami. For improvement of the newspaper, Kaliprasanna took over editorship of the newspaper. The quality of the newspaper was ahead of its times and Kristo Das Pal wrote, "He also started a first class vernacular daily newspaper, the like of which we have not yet seen." Bibidhartho Samgraha was first edited by Babu Rajendralal Mitra, the well known native gentleman. After him that magazine had been revived under the auspices of Kaliprasanna Singha. In 1862 the most acclaimed "Hutom Panchar Noksha" had been published. In this book he criticised the activities of the then middle class societies in a humorous manner under the pseudonym "Hutom Pyancha".
He provided financial assistance to magazines like Tattabodhini Patrika, Somprakash, Mookerjee's Magazine, Bengalee, Doorbin and Hindu Patriot.
Under his editorship, the Mahabharata was translated to Bengali in prose form, which is still read and published widely. The whole project was supervised by Vidyasagar. The translation was completed in a house named "Sarswatashram" at Baranagar in
He also translated "Bhagavad Gita" the Hindu sacred scripture, which was published posthumously.
He had a contribution to Bengali theatre as well. His famous plays include "Vikramorvashi", "SabitriSatyaban", "MalatiMadhav" and "Babu". He also established the Vidyotsahini theatre and also acted in the play "Vikramaorvashi".
Under his editorship, the Mahabharata was translated to Bengali in prose form, which is still read and published widely. The whole project was supervised by Vidyasagar. The translation was completed in a house named "Sarswatashram" at Baranagar in
He also translated "Bhagavad Gita" the Hindu sacred scripture, which was published posthumously.
He had a contribution to Bengali theatre as well. His famous plays include "Vikramorvashi", "SabitriSatyaban", "MalatiMadhav" and "Babu". He also established the Vidyotsahini theatre and also acted in the play "Vikramaorvashi".
He died on 24 July 1870 at the age of 30, leaving behind his huge contributions. Kaliprasanna's extravagant ways most of which was dedicated to the welfare of the society however had toll on him in his last days. It was said that the distribution of several copies of Mahabharata alone cost him a huge sum of two and a half lakhs of rupees in those days. It has been also learnt, that though a major income of the zamindari family came from the revebnnue paid by peasants, Kaliprasanna thoughbeing a zamindar, fought for the cause of the peasants and freed several peasants from the revenue burden. In his last days, he was learnt to run into huge debts, and the large estates in Orissa and Bengal Club in Kolkata were sold. He was also deceived by friends and relatives.
Kaliprasanna died before having any issue. After his death, his wife adopted Bijay Chandra Singha, who took over the Hindu Patriot. After his death Krishnadas Pal wrote "But beneath the troubled waters of youth there was a silvery current of geniality, generosity, good-fellowship and high mindedness, which few could behold without admiring. With all his faults Kaliprasunno was a brilliant character and we cannot adequately express our regret that a career begun under such glowing promises should have come to such an abrupt and unfortunate close."
HUTOM PACHAR NOKSA
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