Rakhis Ma Rosheboshe

Where the last volume stopped, this one started with the same fervor. Starting from the family life of the common Bengali household to the social life, the satire is complete with revelations that deeply stirs the intellect but never becomes boring due to the spontaneity of the episodes. Though a bit more serious than its predecessor the writing remains as lively as always. The collection culminates with a very optimistic note that also speaks the undiminished hope that the intellectual holds for the Bengali. That the projected life of the common man which appears with its apparent ill and gore there still remains hidden the pure and the beautiful has been cleverly directed by the author. Though malice is not left out but the criticisms are always healthy as they indicate the path of the righteous and it remains upon the society to make the choice.

Rosheboshe Vol I

What seemed as an innocent collection of humorous pieces turned out to be nothing short of classic satires chiefly sketching the Bengali society. Full of lively cartoons, the book is the funny mirror of the current society. Composed of short essays, the notes are enjoyable while at the same time point to the evil that we only have allowed to flourish over the ages and serve as reminders of the fight that we must start from within ourselves. Encompassing almost all the aspects of daily life from the running steps to the workplace, the fights in overcrowded bus, the quarrels at home, load sheddings, pot holes, the market - in one sentence all the pathos imaginable to the common people, the jolly side of the events have been described with the worst parts too. The social ills that evolved to dangerous crimes taking lives of innocents for the sake of dowry and the likes have been hinted at with such a fine mix of mirth and malice that can only be possible by Sanjib Chattopadhyay alone. With his signature style of exagarration for the sake of literature, the essays will produce both peels of laughter and sheds of embarassment to the generations, both past and present.

Herbert

When you are going to read Herbert, it's better that you brace yourself with literatures like Fyataru, Masouleum, Kangal Maalshat, which I had fortunately gone thru earlier. So I was ready for Herbert and it indeed was a fine experience for me though at places the vagueness really keeps me at bay and eludes my humble wisdom, thus no doubt the novel gets all the accolades that it is due. Nabarun Bhattacharya's much acclaimed novel seemed a little less on the funnier side than the seriousness that it poses. It will be best for me not to elaborate lest the readers may be misled by my misjudgements but will always recommend the Bengali literature lovers to have a go at it.