Gurusaday Dutt(1882-1941): An illustrious son of Bengal , Gurusaday Dutt was born on the 10 May, 1882 at Village Birashree in Sylhet District in undivided India. He took active part in social work since his childhood.Sri Dutt showed signs of talent from an early ageand stood second in the Entrance Examination (1898) from Sylhet and first in the First Arts Examination(1901)from Presidency College.In 1903 he went to England for pursuing higher studies.A year later he appeared successfully at the Indian Civil Service Examination.He taught at Emmanuel College, Cambridge , for a short time before returning to India in 1905 as an ICS officer. though an ICS officer, he had a strong sense of nationalism and patriotism.During his magistracy at Howrah, he severely criticized the European SP and military officers for their actionsin a shooting incident at Bamungachi. On another occasion , he disobeyed the authorities in 1930. Angered at his obduracy, he was transferred to Birbhum. However, nothing could deter his spirit. In the course of his series of postings, he collected several specimens of folk art and craft. He was among the first writers on the Nakshi Kantha , publishing one of the first serious articles on this folk art in JISOA in 1929.Some of the kanthas he collected , along with other folk artefacts , are on display at the Gurusaday Museumin,Bratacharigram,Joka, Thakurpukur in Kolkata.

Being inspired by his parents and teachers, Gurusaday Dutt took keen interest in national and cultural heritage of his motherland . It was his fearless independence and indomitable spirit of nationalism that brought him more than once into conflict with British Imperialism. Apart from his distinguished official career Gurusaday Dutt had been a pioneer in many important fields of public life. He was the first in India to start the Rural Re- Construction Movement,in Birbhum district in 1918.He continued the movement in several districts, notably in Bankura, Howrah and Mymensing.It was bold and unique specially in the background of foreign domination. He was the first to set example of the dignity of labour by personally working with his own hands at the head of bands of workers. He was also responsible for starting the co-operative irrigation movement in Bankura in 1922, which extended to Mymensingh Birbhum districts.He was one of the social reformers of that time who independently thought of various avenues of services for the rural people.Realising the necessity to educate women for progress of the nation, he inspired his wife Saroj Nalini to start Mahila Samitis in rural areas where women would be given the opportunity to become self- reliant.Thus, Samitis were organized to bring together the rural women , make them take the leadership and revive rural handicrafts for their own economic benefit. Saroj Nalini passed away in 1925 . To revive her memory Sri Gurusaday Dutt founded the Saroj Nalini Nari Mangal Samiti. He envisaged the necessity of having a Central Training Institute for providing training on handicrafts and giving basic education to provide livelihood for women and making them self reliant. It was Gurusaday Dutt’s foresight that led him to found an organization which has showed light to innumerable unfortunate women. The concept of Non- Formal education was conceived by him many years before it was officially started.It has now received international recognition and aid from the UN Agencies.

Gurusaday Dutt started a monthly Magazine 'BangalarSri' in october, 1925 and 'Gramer Dook' in 1929 which dealt with agrarian and rural matters of concern. He discovered the 'Raibeshe' donce, a martial dance of un-divided Bengal in Birbhum in 1930. Subsequently, he also revived the kathi, Dhamali, Baul, Jhumur, Brata and Dhali dancs from different Parts of un-divided Bengal.

Gurusaday Dutt made extensive researches in the field of Folk Art in Bengal and was the first to reveal the significance and uniqueness of Bengal Folk Art .He has tried his best to uphold the culture and tradition of Bengal .In the last twelve years of his life , he collected various artefacts from different parts of undivided Bengal and finally left his collection to Bengal Bratachari Society.This organization was founded by him to revive folk culture and dances and teaching of principles of citizenship to young generation.

Sri Gurusaday Dutt’s contribution in the field of creative national work is reflected in the Bratachari Movement and has achieved an all India character and is also considered as the most powerful agency for the physical and moral regeneration of the youth of the country.

Gurusaday Dutt is also an author of considerable distinction both in Bengali and English.His Biography of his wife , Saroj Nalini, with an introduction by Rabindranath Tagore is one widely acclaimed by the Bengali population of the country. Sri Dutt is also regarded as one of the leading writers of children’s rhymes in Bengal: Bhajar Banshi(1922). Among his books are Palli Sangskar(1925), Village Reconstruction(1925), Ganer Saji(1932), Indian Folk Dance and Folklore Movement,(1933), Bratachari Synthesis(1937), Patua Sabgit(1939), A woman of India(1941). Bratacharir Marmakatha(1940). Some of his writings were published posthumously in The Folk Dance of Bengal(1954), Srihatter Lokasangit(1966) and Folk Arts and Crafts of Bengal (1990).In 1936, Sri Dutt started publishing a monthly magazine named "Banglar Shakti".

Sri Dutt’s work and extensive research in the field of Folk Art, Folk Dances, Physical Education and Youth Movement earned him an international repute.

Revered Gurusaday Dutt left for his heavenly abode on 25 th June, 1941 .He has left behind many followers and his countrymen to fulfil his dream .He was one of the outstanding people who have contributed to the progress of the Nation in different ways. Of his significant and positive , constructive contribution the most notable is the “Bratachari” as it is through this Youth Movement that Sri Dutt has tried to imbibe in the young generation the fundamental qualities of ckitizenship and development as an individual. The same foresight is evident in his reconstruction programmes which also aims at making women self reliant. His love and zeal for preservation and promotion of the folk art and heritage of Bengal led him to preserve many invaluable treasures which would have been lost as very few people took interest in the preservation of this indigenous art and craft of Bengal in those days.