Swapanranjan Haldar, born in 1954 in Patilpara, Bardhaman, is a retired librarian and a poet known as Swapan Haldar. He is the editor of Bagher Bachcha and has been deeply engaged in literary subversion.

There is a striking analogy about him: “Comrade Haldar has set up a Kalashnikov manufacturing factory in his house. He produces one Kalashnikov per year and, to date, has made four—Subimal Mishra, Basudev Dasgupta, Subhash Ghosh, and Akhtaruzzaman Elias. These four writers, active during the 1960s-70s, are known for their subversive literature. Engaging with such writers is, in itself, an act of subversion.” Inspired by the idea of collective farming, Comrade Haldar, along with his friends, also founded the theatre group Shaptak.

As a poet, he has published several collections, including Majhkhane Theke Ko’line, Jagannather Salute, and Black Box. His storytelling is equally radical, as seen in works like Prakashya Dibaloake Paka Rastaar Majhkhane Dariye Fotafot Kaporchopor Khule Khelchhilo Je Juboti Paglita and Oedipus.

Apart from his own literary contributions, Haldar has been instrumental in curating significant works. He edited the magazine Bagher Bachcha, dedicating special issues to authors like Subimal Mishra, Basudev Dasgupta, Subhash Ghosh, and Akhtaruzzaman Elias. Additionally, he co-edited poetry magazines such as Dwanyuk and Ulto Durbin, while also publishing his own poetry magazine, Swayambar. His work, whether in poetry, storytelling, or literary curation, continues to challenge conventional narratives and push the boundaries of literature.