Indumadhab Mallick, polymath, teacher and inventor of Icmic Cooker, passed away on this day. He was 47.
He studied several subjects and was always in search of new areas of knowledge. He held several degrees, including in philosophy, physics, law, medicine and botany.
He taught science and humanities at Bangabasi College for a few years and later at other institutions. According to several accounts, he treated revolutionary Ullaskar Dutta, who was injured severely while testing a bomb, in secret after Dutta was brought to Kolkata. Indumadhab is remembered for his contribution to autovaccine treatment.
But his most memorable work remains Icmic Cooker, a cooking device that was very popular once. Said to be inspired by the cooking system of Jagannath Temple at Puri, the cooker contained several bowls, arranged vertically, with a stove below, all contained within a cylinder. This allowed several dishes to be cooked together, by steam. Icmic Cooker brought comfort to many kitchens. It also saved time and fuel.
Actor Ranjit Mallick is Indumadhab’s descendant.