Debnath holds the record of longest-running comics by an individual artiste for his Handa Bhonda comics series that completed its continuous 53 years of running. He was also the only comic artist in India who received a D.Litt degree.Debnath was awarded Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award in India, in 2021. Narayan Debnath Dies at 97: Mamata Banerjee Mourns Demise of the Legendary Cartoonist.