Prof. Ramaranjan Mukherji is the 'Vivekananda Professor' of Ideological studies and research at Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, Kolkata, which is recognized as one of the strongest cultural centre in the country. Prof. Mukherji is widely recognized across the world for his role in spreading the message of Sanskrit learning and Indian culture. He is also recognized as a social activist, implementing plans intended to serve the society, particularly in the field of education and culture.

Born on January 1, 1928, Prof. Mukherji received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Calcutta in 1944 and obtained Master's degree in Sanskrit from the same University in 1946. Later, he obtained Ph. D. in 1953 from the University of Calcutta, followed by the degree of Doctor of Literature fromjadavpur University in 1964.

Occupying the position of Lecturer in some of the colleges affiliated to the University of Calcutta, Prof. Mukherji joined the Department of Sanskrit at Jadavpur University in 1956 and soon became the Professor and Head of Department. Under his leadership, the Department of Sanskrit became a globally respected Department in the entire University system of the country. After remaining associated with the Department of Sanskrit of Jadavpur University for fifteen years, Prof. Mukherji joined the University of Burdwan as its Vice-Chancellor in 1970 and continued in that position till 1984. Thereafter, his services were requisitioned by the Government of West Bengal for providing leadership to Rabindra Bharati University, Calcutta, where he continued till 1987. During his association with the University system of the country as Vice-Chancellor of two universities, Prof. Mukherji became a member of the Standing Committee of the Association of Indian Universities as also the Executive Committee of the Association of the Commonwealth Universities and rose to the position of the President of the Association of Indian Universities.

As a social activist, Prof. Mukherji has been instrumental in establishment of a number of educational institutions in the country.These include, Sri SitaramVaidic Adarsha Sanskrit Mahavidyalaya,- an oriental college affiliated to Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan (Deemed University); Birbhum Institute of Engineering and Technology, Birbhum; Calcutta Institute of Engineering and Management, Kolkata, as also a law college affiliated to the University of Calcutta.

Prof. Mukherji has penned a number of books, including Literary Criticism in Ancient India, Comparative Aesthetics: Indian & Western, Global Aesthetics and Sanskrit Poetics, Sri Aurobindo on Vedic Deities and Indian Tradition: Its Continuity.

Prof. Mukherji is recipient of a number of awards and honours. He has been conferred a number of Doctorate degrees by several well-known universities in India. Soka Gakkai International University of Japan conferred on him Hiroshima Peace Award. He has also been conferred Certificate of Honour by the President of India in recognition of his significant contribution to the field of Sanskrit studies. The Govt, of Uttar Pradesh has honoured him with 'Visva-Bharati' Award for his contribution to the field of Sanskrit Literature and Indian Culture.

The president of India had been pleased to confer the National Award of Padmashree in January, 2010 in recognition to his excellent contribution to the field of education.  But unfortunately, he did not receive the award personally as he left this mortal world on 13th March, 2010 after a brief illness.
A Memorial Committee has been constituted to preserve his ever-lasting memory in the minds of the country men with his admirers, students, relatives and well wishers. One book, paying homage to his unfading memory, has been published on 1st January 2011, the first birthday after his departure by the committee.  On 13th March, 2011, the first day of his disappearance after one year, one book containing his own written Bengali poem has been published by the Tirupati Rastriya Sanskrit Vidyapith (Deemed University) in memory of their be-loved chancellor. Several dreams and proposal have been adopted to preserve his signing memories in the year to come.

The Commemorate books are:

• Hey Mahajibana ( in Bengali )
• Kabita Sangraha ( in Bengali )

These books are available at Baikuntha Dham, 107, Southern Avenue, Kolkata – 700 029
Contact Person:
Dr. Partha Sarathi Mukhopadhyay (0 94340 27077)
Dr. Suresh Kumar Banerjee (0 99338 26211)