Sunday, April 24, 2016

Shri Shri Ramakrishna Rahasyamrita

A mystery that had cast a melancholy yet mysterious shadow on the Bansha Biswas family of Howrah for more than hundred years seems to be unfolded by the combined effort of Harimoy Chowdhury, editor of the periodical Chamcham with HQ at the Hidaram Halder Lane, Howrah, Bhabanath Sen, a renowned writer, Piklu, a management undergraduate from Bombay, a DIG and Banshagolap Biswas who has returned to his roots after a series of grievous episodes made the Biswas to partially relocate at Benaras for years. But it seems some sinister gang of smugglers also has their noses on the scent. But what is the mystery? It seems to have its origin in the histories. The glorious incidents around Shri Shri Ramakrishna remain to be studied once more. Some newfound archives in the Biswas mansions reveal some new secrets as do a traditional practice that Chamcham editor performs each day on the request of the Biswas, four generations previous. The book is narrated with the signature Sankar touch and its easy flow seems to gain tremendous pace in the later pages. The finale is a cliffhanger and unique as contrary to the fictions with historical significance it keeps both the facts and fictions pure

Sunday, April 10, 2016

Bhanu Goenda Jahar Assistant

Consisting of two stories, Bhanu Goenda Jahar Assistant and its second part Picnice Bhanu Goenda Jahar Assistant the nostalgia of the movie is brought back with some memorable dialogues. This had been one of the first instances when characters from a movie or more correctly real life characters had been used in stories. A tribute to the one of the most unforgettable comedy pair of Bengali cinema, the stories are woven on the fabric of humour. Containing the element of mystery, the stories follow the smart Bhanu with his clumsy yet devoted aide Jahar chasing lost ladies and questionable identities. But it seems that all they manage most of the time is getting themselves entangled in the most improbable confusions and misunderstandings. As the fun continues the sleuth remains undeterred to their ultimate aim. The old world romance and the absence of obscenity and malice make the stories as enjoyable as it can be. Surprised by the title in the bookfair this selection seems to be one of the evergreens that will remain a favourite for all times.

Sunday, April 03, 2016

Goenda Indranath Rudra Samagra Vol IV

I had read maybe one or two or a few only Indranath Rudra stories in Anandamela and that too at a very young age. But it had something that still aroused the interest as I chanced across a collection among the final few copies left in bookfair this year. True these are old fashioned stories but how now I lament why I didn't bought a few more volumes. The only bad part is these are written with an undue emphasis on drama of the moment though the intellectual part is quite good. Sometimes the sleuth hunts in his own but sometimes he is assisted by Mriganka and his wife. But the quick observation with the analytical reasonings always keeps the detective a class apart from the rest. The stories after a brief author's introduction are arranged as
  • Ghori
  • Sonar Koroti
  • Choti
  • Momer Haat
  • Nebuchadnezzarer Silmohar
  • Atta Jhinuker Botam
  • Shunya Kalshi
  • Rakter Shaitan
  • Paerakuthir Rahasya
  • Chidranwesi Indranath
  • Neel Chobir Chalanae
The narratives correctly blend nostalgia with the classic. Right from very first readers will be glued to the old world romance that also is used to mask yet prolongthe underlying suspense.