Banaphul was the pen name of Balaichand Mukhopadhyay (1899–1979), a distinguished Bengali writer, physician, and educationist. Renowned for his concise style and emotional depth, he wrote novels, short stories, essays, and poetry that explored human psychology, social values, and compassion. His notable works include Agniswar, Hate Khari, and numerous short stories. Banaphul received major honours, including the Sahitya Akademi Award, and remains a significant figure in modern Bengali literature. He passed away in 1979.