Thursday, August 29, 2013

Gogol Omnibus

The content of this young adventure series contains
  • I(n)durer Khutkhut
  • Ratnarahasya o Gogol
  • Gogoler Keramoti
  • Chora Hatee Shikaree
  • Mahishmardinee Uddhar
  • Gogoler Rayraja Uddhar

  • Jonaki Bhuter Baari
  • Buno Hateer Bandhutta
  • Sonalee Paarer Rahasya
  • Garadheen Janalae Rakshyash
  • Adrishya Manusher Hatchani
  • Ayena Nie Khelte Khelte
  • Kairong Mathe Gogoler Kanda
  • Durger Garkhayer Durghatana
  • Paschimer Balcony Theke
  • Telephone Aari Patar Bipod
  • Gogol Kothae?
  • Harano Buddhagupti
The adventure stories revolve around he overly inquisitive boy Gogol and the way he unravels bafling mysteries. But most of the stories excepting some of the later ones, are less about detection than adventure and one of them is only a ghost story. As truly described in the Nitai Basu's introduction Gogol actually stumbles across clues and always manages to find a comfortable nook in times of danger. Though he possesses acute sense of observation and is skilled in intelligent deduction but his maturity as compared to his age remains unconvincing in the stories. Also the settings sometimes seem to be favourable for Gogol in identifying criminals as does his knack of comng across odd events. The length of the stories are in many cases are unreasonably large and the main plot evolves after a boring introduction comprising of the lion's share of the entire narrative. So in my opinion the book is enjoyable if it is read from the last story towards the introduction as this will keep up the enthusiasm.

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

The Oath of the Vayuputras

If The Immortals of Meluha had been the introduction then The Secret of the Nagas was a revelation but The Oath of the Vayuputras is nothing short of an intense game of chess with attacks and counterattacks of the masters of strategies. As Shiva tries to oust Evil from the soils of India helps come from unexpected quarters. While the call of duty makes enemies out of friends staunch support comes from distant quarters. Tragedies result as selfish souls betrays to the principles of humanity but Shiva ensures that truth triumphs above all. Traps are set, wars are fought, warriors and heroes are born but peace seems more and more distant as what seemed good shows its evil face, while the apparently evil selves show their heroic hearts. Blending myths with convincing rationale the epic is a glorious tribute to the Indian heritage. Barring some literary confusions while using expressions that may be more subtly handled the literature is unputdownable.

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Ba! 12

Have you ever wondered how to tackle an hour long monotonous bus journey during a rainy season? If you have, then take hold of a Ray book and all the boredom in the world would vanish. Infact be it a boring time or a soothing holiday afternoon a Ray in hand is always a treasure to cherish. It freshens the mood while stirring the intellect.
Published posthumously the collection contains some of the memorable classics penned by Ray including a Feluda thriller but remians unique in the sense that this is the only collection of dozen stories that contain Tarineekhuro’s adventures and that too four brand new ones.
  • Natun Bandhu
  • Shishu Sahityik
  • Nitaibabur Mainah
  • Rantur Dadu
  • Dui Bandhu
  • Akshaybabur Shiksha
  • Prasanna Sir
  • Juti
  • Maharaja Tarineekhuro
  • Tarineekhuro o Oindrojalik
  • Norris Saheber Bunglow
  • Dr. Munsheer Diary
Though some of the stories contain plots akin to his earlier works still they are enjoyable just for sheer creativity. A few printing mistake and a slight but obvious error, which in all my previous readings remained undetected, seemed to be the only disappointments in store. The added appeal is Ray’s sketches and the Ray Jr’s cover design. Gifted by my father within months of its publication this easily finds its place among one of my all time favourites.

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Parashuraam Granthabalee Vol I

·        Introduction by Shree Pramathanatha Bishi
·        Gaddalika
o   Shree Shree Siddheswari Limited
o   Chikitsa-Sankat
o   Mahavidya
o   Lambakarna
o   Vushandeer Maathe
·        Galpakalpa
o   Gamanush Jatir Katha
o   Atalbabur Antim Chinta
o   Rajbhog
o   Parash Pathar
o   Raamrajya
o   Shona Katha
o   Tin Bidhata
o   BheemGeeta
o   Siddhinaather Pralap
o   Chiranjeeb
·        Dhusturi Maya Ityadi Galpo
o   Dhusturi Maya (Dui Buror Roopkatha)
o   Ramdhaner Bairagya
o   Bharater Jhumjhumi
o   Rebateer Patilabh
o   Lakhsmir Bahan
o   Akrursangbad
o   Badan Choudhuryr Shokshabha
o   Jadu Daktarer Patient
o   Ratantikumar
o   Agastyadwar
o   Sastheer Kripa
o   Gandhamadan-Baithak
·        JamaiSasthee
·        Laghuguru
o   Naamtatya
o   Daktari o Kobiraji
o   Bhadra Jeebika
o   Ros o Roochi
o   Apabijnyan
o   Ghaneekrita Taila
o   Bhasha o Sanket
o   Sadhu o Chalit Bhasha
o   Bangla Paribhasha
o   Sahityabichar
o   Khreesteea Adarsha
o   Bhashar Bishuddhi
o   Timi
o   Prarthana
o   Sanketmoy Sahitya
o   Bangla Banan
o   Bangla Chander Shrenee
o   Rabeendra Paribesh
·        Kobita
o   Jamaibabu o Bouma
The first volume was presented to me at a very young age and I’d bought the other two in course of time mostly to complete the collection. So when I now reread it I pleasantly realized that a mind so young as I had was quite inadequate in enjoying works of one of Bengal’s greatest satirist and researcher of Bengali society. On one hand Rajsekhar Basu, introduced by Shree Pramathanath Bishi, had etched out the Bengali society that with its best and worse can only be loved for the unique yet fascinating character. On the other hand fictions of the likes of Dhusturi Maya etc. not only were ahead of its generation but can be considered as pioneering works extending the limit of imagination. The sketches of Jatindrakumar Sen increase the appeal by a greater extent. So it was upsetting enough when it is realized that the story JamaiSasthee, promising yet another humorous journey, could not be completed in the author’s lifetime. But this is compensated to some extent by the comical anecdote in rhymes of the son-in-law and his wife. But the best part of the book seems to be the essays that may be categorized as belles-lettres in which Basu had mixed his characteristic humour in researching the Bengali social-economic life.

Monday, August 12, 2013

The Secret of the Nagas

The thrill starts right from where it culminated in the first part. Shiva's quest for the dark forces seem to stumble over unprecedented revelations. Frightening wars are fought. Strange alliances are forged. But a mastermind puppeteer seems to play a cruel game. As the pieces of puzzle are gradually ordered near ones seem to drift apart. Revenge is sought but results seem baffling. Amish has blended history with mythology presenting an interpretation of the Gods that is so relevant even today. Hope for the saviour when all seems to lost is instilled. Based on his belief that greatness resides on any ordinary soul Amish etches out a canvas where the unificatin of the great land of India had been so earnestly sought for maybe the very first time. Though stretching the limit to its extreme a significant aspect of the anecdotes is the use of scientific concepts in explaining some bizarre happenings. Finally the epic stops with even more suspense than it seemed to promise at first thus continuing with its trail of surprises. But the only disappointment is the lack of regionality in the choice of referring to designations of the characters.