Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Nante Fante Collection II

In sheer enthusiasm I'd bought this collection too containing volumes IV to VI but some disappointments were in store for me. One of the strips were surely incomplete and certain stories were quite lacking in the fun. But the first few chapters were very much entertaining and though the plots were repeating, the excellent graphics more than compensated the monotone. The amusing misunderstandings, several of them at the cost of Keltu's misadventures, the innocent pranks on the unsuspecting superintendents were hilariously depicted by the cartoon while the underlying message of the bond of friendship and the spirit of camaraderie were conveyed all along.

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Nante Fante Collection I

Picked spontaneously from a bookfair, as I went through the pages, several nostalgic memories seemed to overwhelm me. Not only was Nante-Fante my first official storybook which I read but the pack of boarding school members including the wicked Keltu and the fearsome Superintendent had been my best of friends for a very long time. As I grew old, the comics gave way to more serious materials but the innocent frolicks penned by Narayan Debnath still lingered in the heart. So though these comic strips disappeared beneath the piles of papers addressed to the wastepaper bin their memories was etched deep down in me. This I felt, when I suddenly came across the collection consisting of chapters 1-3 in the bookfair and without thinking more, bought the 1st volume then and there. The naivity of the characters that came alive in the sketches of Shri Debnath still refreshed the minds and some of them produced peals of laughter even now.  Enjoying Nante-Fante playing tricks on Keltuda and, sometimes, even on themselves while trying to help the needy, I seemed to realize or better to say, prove for myself that age can never be a bar while enjoying humour devoid of malice.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Sarbanashinee

The story handed over to me by one of my webfriends can be considered a collector's item just because it is written by none other than P(n)achkadi De, one of the pioneers of Bengali detective fiction. But strangely enough this was not a mystery story and as I was beginning to feel disappointed about it, soon the mood changed as it unfolded to a gripping horror narrative set in the hills of North Bengal. Little did I knew about Shri De but for this short story that introduced the author with his complete literary skill as fear unfolded silently as the story progressed. Designed in a series of letters a horrifying incident seem to repeat as the thirsty spirit craved for human sacrifices to redeem the sin committed long ago. Maybe this plot, not apparently such a novel one now, had been the inspiration for several authors down the line whose works are more popular to us and whose penmanship had metamorphosed the plot in various hues through the ages. It had been a revelation to me and I think I am starting to become a fan of the author.

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Natak Samagra Vol 2

The volume starts with Bishnu Dey's intrdocution titled Manoj Mitrer Biswaser Jagat that prepares the reader for the collage that awaits them in two sections - Purnanga Natak and Ekanka Natak, the later containing one-act plays while the former complete dramas.
It starts with the famous Sajano Bagan and Bancha its protagonist whose passion for his garden that he had designed from a small patch of land rejected by the owner of the land. But the garden under his loving care flourishes to such an extent that it becomes the matter of envy to the next owner who tries several ways to snatch it from Bancha. Several humourous sequences abound, but the drama carries an underlying message for the love of the land that will be remembered whosoever reads it or watches it. In the next Aswatthama, a mythological play based on the titular character of Mahabharata and set in the last chapters of the Kurukshetra war, it tries to sketch the events in a different light. The mood swings to a lighter note with Rajdarshan, where a materialistic man transforms to a rationale self, thanks to his adventure that Providence allowed him to experience. Then comes the eerie Nekre, the apparition that stalks the evil and fear of the werewolf permeates in the minds of the beholders until the climax that is even more engaging than the plot. In Darpane Saratshashi, the exploitation of women in drama has been narrated set on the day's of Girish Ghosh. Again this excellent compilation lightens the mood but touches on the plight of the poor in Siver Asadhyi, where the Almighty Siva and his family beholds the right and the wrong among the mortals during the festive season of DurgaPuja.
The one-act play section is even more engaging, starting with Sandhyatara, that deals with the everlasting disrespect to the parents by their children whose only interest in the elders remains focussed on the wealth they will be leaving and who doesn't care to give a damn for their sentiments. But the interesting twist in the final pages will no doubt make the reader enjoy this among the rest. Tapur Tupur deals with a more personal issue where a couple tries to evade disgrace in the face of their wretched finances. In the next the Chokhe Angul Dada is brought to trial in the Heaven where the Almighty shows his own faults to which this man was blind so long as he spent the days in Earth just by noting the shortcomings of others. Kaalbihanga is another social drama which seems too short for its completeness but no doubt can convey the message home. A humorous Two-in-One, is not so good as a plot but is only enjoyable due to its unique comedy. Next comes the perfectionist in the bachelor Madan whose humorous plight as he travels to seek fortune from his village leaving his ailing family to the city is narrated by his own lips in Aami Madan Bolchi is both enlightening and enjoyable. Prabhat Fire Esho is a wonderful drama that consists of several stunning twists that shows evolution of characters and the mask they possess.
The entire volume is enjoyble but for the content page that contains several gross mistypes which must be rectified as early as possible.

Wednesday, February 08, 2012

Samagra Kishore-Sahitya Vol. I

The content runs as
  • Aamar Katha
  • Stories
    • Matsya-Puran
    • Atha Nimantran Bhojan
    • Dadheechi, Poka o Viswakarma
    • Sabhapati
    • Khattanga o Pallanna
    • Bhuture
    • Camouflage
    • Policer Karbari Alaada
    • Dhaus
    • Romanchakar Banduk
    • Kuttimamar Dantya-Kahini
    • Thale Rahasya
    • Daitya-Sangeet
    • Sanghatik
    • Peshawar ki Aameer
    • Bhaloe-Bhaloe
    • Banbhojoner Bepar
    • Py(n)acha o Pa(n)chugopal
    • Parer Upakar Korio Na
    • Sei Boiti
    • Charanamrita
    • Ekti Football Match
    • Duranta Nouka-Bhraman
    • Durdharsha Motor-Cycle
    • Kuttimamar Haater Kaaj
  • Upanyas
    • Andhakarer Agantuk
    • Charmurti
    • Charmurtir Abhijaan
  • Kabita, Chora o Prabandha
"Di-La-Grandi Mefistofilis", on hearing this, a vast majortiy of Bengali readers will at once respond with the apt cry of "Yaak Yaak!" Yes I'm talking about Charmurti: the adorable quad comprising of Habul, Kyabla, Pyala the narrator and last but certainly not the least Tenida. The volume contains hilarious episodes centering them and several other characters that have come alive by the able penmanship of Narayan Gangopadhyay.The volume starts with the author narrating about his entry into the Bengali literary world - of his childhood passion for writing stories - of his enthusiastic fan who prompted him into writing novels based on the fantastic and romantic imaginations of the youth - all woven so beatifully that the reader will immediately be captivated by the enchanting storytelling of Shri Gangopadhyay.The comic sequences, the enjoyable embarrassments, the memorable misunderstandings and above all the fantastic adventures all combined will produce peals and peals of laughter from the readers. Nostalgic events, some serious articles and a thrilling novel comprises a part of the book but above all comedy prevails in its most extravagant way without a trace of malice that had made it a classic of all times. The hilarious adventures had at once made it a favourite and a cherished collection from my early childhood and even now when I go through, it ups the mood immensely. Spontaneous comedy of this sort had been so long absent from Bengali literature that its charm has been ever increasing and I always recommend this to any person who loves to smile. I'm certain this will make them laugh and those who loves to laugh let them find the true stimulant. The only parallel being Jerome K. Jerome and P.G. Wodehouse, the author, in my opinion will always remain a king of comedy stories. Even the little verses that has ornamented the book hints at the comic genius in the author.

Monday, February 06, 2012

Kangaal Maalsat

When Fyatarus teams up with Choktars - the experts in Black Magic ... and the ally is advised by the raven and a spirit ... and the Choktars unleashes a flock of UFOs then the government is paralyzed with panic and impending disaster. Add to this Nabarun Bhattacharyas style of narration and the reader enjoys another spell of guilty pleasure of the coarse and vulguar but hilarious and fun filled narrative where the beggers who are supposed to be not choosers utters the war cry that causes pandemonium in the city of joy.