Narayan Gangopadhyay's Galpa Samgagra Vol I

Sometimes these stories seem so commonplace, very ordinary anecdotes of the common Bengali. But these again reminds us that we ourselves are the people whose day to day activities can be perceived in the same manner as an avid reader saluting the works of the great master. Mr. Gangopadhyay has once again provided inspiration and encouragement to all the classes that comprises the Bengalis in their journey to seek comfort in these days of apparent misery. He shows us the optimist's way to understand the world. Thus we find the poverty stricken parents of four, as they expect a fifth child, is torn between guilt and conscience as to whether to go for the option of abortion. The story ends with an optimistic touch that echoes the joys of life amid its apparent wretchedness. In another story, we find a book seller recounting his youth as a budding writer who gives up writing as the realization of practical life of supporting his own self and family dawns upon him. Though in the process, his romantic dream is shattered but again at the end we find him happy with his practical mind set. The story of a tribal father and son wonderfully portrays the blossoming of the son's maturity as they encounter a fierce tiger in the forest and thus infuses hope of survival to his father. Again there is the age old tale of ego and false ego between the husband and wife depited beautifully with love triumphing over career for a famous singer. Among all the short stories that this volume comprises of, only a few finishes with a note of gloom as in the case of a student of a freedom fighter who ahd come from the villages for a better education but falls prey to the greed of the materialistic business class and leaves all hope of a respectable future. The volume also contains stories reminiscent of the influence of some great authors namely Saratchandra in the story of the studious narrator getting attracted to the wild nature of his friend so as to evade his father's strict orders that prevails at home. There is also a touch of O. Henry in the story where the leading heroine of a drama is made to deliver her best by playing with her emotions. We are made to remember Sibram's 'Bari Thehe Palie' in a story of a homeseek child admitted in a hostel. But the concluding stories are devoid the optimistic touch, rather they portray the negative aspects of the human mind and its craving for easy money for which some doesn't feel the least concern while cheating or depriving the poorer class of their rights. These stories are woven in varied fabrics and the cast of characters ranges from simple country folks to the city dwellers, the rich lords to the downtrodden class, the academicians to the illiterates. As a whole these anecdotes made me feel as if the real taste of Bengali literature will be incomplete without these.

The index is as follows:

1. Lakkhir Pa

i. Lakkhir Pa

ii. Dwaita

iii. Prapat

iv. Commission

v. Jachai

vi. Gacher Sari

vii. Kaalpurush

viii. Aaro Ekjon

ix. Mohiner Kaka

x. Madhyakarshan

2. Subhokkhan

i. Ribbonbandha Bhaluk

ii. Keya

iii. Sanchar

iv. Udbodhan

v. Uttam Purush

vi. Khuni

vii. Tilangama

viii. Mahala

ix. Ekti Chithi

x. Record

xi. Titir

xii. Subhokkhan

3. Aaleyar Raat

i. Aaleyar Raat

ii. Tutul

iii. Asansoler Lokta

4. Exhibition

i. Pratipakhya

ii. Mananiya Parikhak Mahasae Samipeshu

iii. Kandari

iv. Exhibition

v. Amononita

vi. Geelti

vii. Atithya

viii. Madhubanti

ix. Daam

x. Raanir Galpa

xi. Gali

xii. Ranga Maashima

5. Beetangsa

i. Beetangsa

ii. Haar

iii. Pradip O Projapoti

iv. Treen

v. Nishachar

vi. Sainik