Saradindu Omnibus Vol II

When I again started to go through the chapters, most of whose plots were still etched upon the memory, this time I was enjoying the play of words, the slight clues strewn here and there and the ultimate convergence that speaks about the crafty penmanship of the author. That I was reading a detective story with the criminals already known did not matter as the literary level of each piece kept me enthralled just with the beauty of narration.

In the introduction by Pratulchandra Gupta titled Byomkesh, Satyabati, Satyabatir Gari, he not only introduces Saradindu's immortal creation to the new readers but also brings the human qualitites of Byomkesh to fore so that the readers, both old and new, can feel his presence in the real world. That Byomkesh is no other than an ordinary citizen of Calcutta blessed with extraordinary intelligence and quick wit is again reminded here.

1. The volume starts with Adim Ripu, and what seemed to Ajit as a very ordinary case quickly turned complex by a sudden murder. When Byomkesh was on the verge of solving the case and it seemed he was not interested in bringing the convict to justice, a second murder changed his mind and the readers await a classic solution.
2. It is not very regular that in the midst of a case Byomkesh is found to be involved in another case but the case Bahnni-Patanga presented itself while he had temporarily stalled his activities concerning Adim Ripu. This is truly a marvelously plotted case and promises a startling revelation that will surely be appreciated to its full extent by crime fiction readers. This case also projects Bikash, an enthusiastic youth, earlier employed in the police service, who helps Byomkesh in trailing his suspects. He features in several other stories and is shown to have respect for the detective.
3. Saradindu had a knack of presenting several peculiar cases for his detective but Rakter Daag seems to hit the top in the way the client requests Byomkesh's assistance. It appeared that the client knew he was going to be murdered and he employs Byomkesh, with fee in advance, to find the truth behind his death. That Byomkesh will be interested is apparent by its peculiarity and though it is not my favourite but it is surely worth appreciating the seemingly realistic imagination that the author was capable of.
4. Manimandan is on the other hand a straight forward case where the criminal, a thief this time, is already suspected but the wherabout of the stolen material required Byomkesh's quick wit and critical observation.
5. In Amriter Mrityu, as Byomkesh was trying to solve a case of illegal arms trade, he parallelly investigates the death of an innocent lad, which he suspected to be closely linked to the illegal trade.
6. Saila Rahasya seemed to be the creator's strong belief in supernaturals imposed in a marvelous fashion in bringing the famous detective face to face with a ghost client. It is an ordinary story narrated in an extraordinary way with the most part being narrated by way of a letter and its reply between Byomkesh and Ajit and thus this was the 1st instance where Byomkesh's literary skills were also revealed.
7. Achin Pakhi defines the level of shrewdness that Byomkesh possessed and his knowledge of human psychology as he solves a previously unsolved mystery years after it had happened.
8. In Kahen Kabi Kalidas, the humane nature of Byomkesh is revealed as he highlights the tragedy that underlines the crime which he investigates.
9. Adrishya Trikon is also about a crime commited in the past but the climax is more of a drama than a reality.
10. The author provides a refreshing change from the violent crimes in Khunji Khunji Nari where Byomkesh applies his brain to solve the riddle left by a dead man that seems to point to his last will and testament.
11. Adwitiya is another classic case where Byomkesh solves the crime sitting at home.
12. In Magna-Mainak, the motives and suspects to a supposed murder seem to be many and Byomkesh must find out the truth to give peace to the innocent minds.
13. The suddent twist in Dushtachakra speaks volume of the author's ingenuity with honours to his detective.
14. H(n)eyalir Chande have Ajit as a suspect with murder at Byomkeshe's apartment and it is all upon the later to save his friend. This is also the last Byomkesh story narrated by Ajit, the rest being written in a passive voice by the author.
15. Apart from the interesting case of Room No. 2, it is a change in writing style with the use of colloquial Bengali.
16. Chalanar Chanda is a fantastic case with a straightforward solution though I got this impression reading it not for the first time.
17. In Sajarur K(n)ata, which is more of a novel than a detective story, the queerness of the murder instrument is the prime interest to the readers.
18. Benisanghar can be termed as the case of a camouflaged murder with all the ingredients of a social drama incorporated that intensifies the mystery. Inspector Rakhal Sarkar, one of the admirers of Byomkesh who appeared in several of the later novels also plays his part well in assisting the detective in time of need.
19. In Lohar Biscuit, maybe the author's wow for a good plot is felt as Byomkesh is clearly happy at the client who brings him a problem after several days of inctivity.
20. The final story Bishupal Badh, is an incomplete one which the author's sad demise has left the readers to speculate on the outcome. It starts with two murders with a span of quite a few years in between. The 1st murderer got the sentence and it was only after his release the 2nd is committed. Byomkesh starts on the trail of the 2nd murder but alas the solution never reaches the audience. As a fan, I can say that the detective would surely have solved it but the chronicles remains incomplete, which is the only sad part.
21. In the final pages of the volume is Jibankatha by Shovan Basu where he has supplied the readers with a brief biography and bibliography of the renowned author.
22. Also there is an article Byomkesher Katha, dedicated to the great detective numerous appearances in Bengali literature that Mr. Basu has compiled.
23. In Byomkesher Shange Sakhatkar, we have the excerpt of an interview of Saradindu by Partha Chattopadhyay.
    

Poran Jaae Jolia Re

http://calcuttatube.com/poran-jay-joliya-re-2009-bengali-movie/

Narayan Gangopadhyay's Galpa Samagra Vol III

When I had completed volume I, purchased in the earlier Bookfair, I was looking forward to buying the remaining of the series this year. So it was disappointing to hear that Mitra Ghosh was discontinuing the publication of the separate volumes and had already publishied a consolidated volume in this year's bookfair. This routed me to the direction of College Street where I managed this volume but was still short of the 2nd in the series.

When I finished reading through the entire book the 1st point that came to my mind is without this book nobody's treasury of Bengali short stories will ever be complete. Quite a few of the stories were devoted to rural Bengal, their pains and pathos which mostly remains unheard of and also some humourous strains here and there which makes the compilation a treasure. But what I liked most were the final few stories which the author seemed to design in the most classic fashion.

The series consists of
Rasikata
Kala Badar

• Top
• Saibya
• Izzat
• Apaghat
• Banduk
• Shilpi
• Srijukta GopiBallav Kundu (missed from content list)
• Ustad Meher Khan
• Kala Badar

Gandharaj

• Dhas
• Kalpapurush
• Taash
• Idu M(n)iyar Morog
• Hariner Rong
• Gandhaaj
• Unmesh
• Darja
• Natun Gaan

Bhanga Bandar

• Bhanga Bandar
• Kabor
• Tirthayatra
• Cholonamoyee
• Luchir Upakhyan
• Pandoolipi
• Nakra-charit
• Atmyahatya

Dushashan

• Dushashan
• Kalo Jol
• Puskara
• Bhanga Chasma
• Bonbiral
• Kharga
• Mummy
• Deem
• Pipe

Swetkamal

• Baishe Shraban
• Timirabhishar
• Kalnemi
• Adhikar
• Janmabhumishcha
• Swetkamal
• Haat
• Ghashbon

As you near the end, you will surely be longing for more and so I am fervently hoping to get the 2nd volume in the series even though its publication is threatened to be stopped.

Brake Fail

http://calcuttatube.com/brake-fail-2009-bengali-film/

BoX#1313

http://calcuttatube.com/box-no-1313-2009-bengali-film/

Hansraj

This is the tale of a young Baul boy, Hansraj, representative of one of the innumerable dormant talents in the rural Bengal and his dream of singing in the radio, a hope that could never have been realized but for the determined effort of the teenage Basanta and his friend Shamu. The village, where Hansraj lived with his widowed mother, uncle and aunt, was situated not too far from Calcutta and was a regular picnic spot for the school goers. In one such picnic party, he had a chance meeting with Basanta, Shamu, the flamboyant Tony and several others from the city school. There, hearing the excellent voice of Hansraj and his knack of quickly creating compositions, Tony falsely promised to introduce him to the big bosses of radio industry if Hansraj could manage to come to the city. Thus encouraged, the innocent Hansraj left his home and travelled to Calcutta with Tia, his fiancée, promising to look after his family. He eventually spotted the school where Tony and his friends studied and there Tony, under pressure from his friends, took him to his home where his sophisticated mother, on the first glance ordered Tony to get rid of him. Thus Hansraj soon learnt the ways of the city dwellers when Tony, trying to save his face, accused him of theft and threw him out of the house. But thanks to Providence, he was saved by Basanta and Shamu, the later giving him shelter in his house. Then it was upto Basanta’s tenacity and Shamu’s support to counter all the obstacles that the rich Tony created to prevent Hansraj to make it to the radio station.
This delightful story is ably directed by Ajit Ganguli studding the entire narrative with a number of songs, mostly in the voice of Arati Mukhopadhyay and Sandhya Mukherjee with the wise choice of fascinating lyrics by Pulak Bandyopadhyay. As to the casting Arindam was just appropriate in his role while the others also produce a balanced performance.

Jhinder Bandi

Based on the novel of Saradindu, which is again based on Anthony Hope's "Prisoner of Zenda", Tapan Sinha directed this gripping drama of love, betrayal, lust and glory featuring Uttam Kumar, Tarun Kumar, Radhamohan Bhattacharjee, Dilip Roy, Arundhati Mukherjee, Sandhya Roy and surprising everybody with Soumitra Chatterjee cast as a villain for the 1st time. I'd bought the CD just last week and watched it just on the day following the one that saw the end of an era of classical music by the Sarod Maestro, Ali Akbar Khan who was coincidentally the music director of the film.

The story is peculiar yet the concept is remarkable. Sankar Singh, the would be king of Jhind (in Madhya Pradesh) was abducted before his coronation ceremony by his brother Udit and his ally the crooked Mayur Bahan. To prevent the cruel Udit to occupy the throne, the news is kept a secret and a trusted few are send throghout the country in search of Sankar Singh, who being a connoisseur of wine and women was a person to be easily lured to remotest of places. During this search one of the Royal guards spotted a Gauri Sankar Roy, a young man from Calcutta, who had remarkable similarity with Sankar Singh. Hearing about the complications that clouds Jhind, the adventurousGauri Sankar accompanies the Sardar to Jhind and there he was crowned the king much to the chagrin of the villains. The baffled Udit and Mayur Bahan devises several counter attacks to destroy Gauri Sankar. But thanks to his courage, Gauri Sankar manages to evade the dangers with the help of the diplomatic Sardar and Dewan and the brave Rudrarup. But problem of a different kind arises in the form of the queen Kasturibai of the neighouring kingdom Jharoa who is betrothed to Sankar. Gauri Sankar was here too forced to pass himself as Sankar during the engagement ceremony with Kasturibai and the dazzling personality of Gauri Sankar easily wins Kasturi's heart, who was more prepared to behold the disreputed Sankar Singh. But Gauri too finds himself leaning towards Kasturi and thus feels guilty of his weakness. Meanwhile the search of Sankar Singh continues and news of his wherabouts reach Gauri, Sardar and the rest. But this was the time Sardar reveals to Gauri a curious story that links his lineage to the Royal blood which proves him to be a deserving candidate for the throne. Thus it is left to be seen who actually gets to the throne and how the evil plans of Mayur Bahan is countered by Gauri.
The movie is fascinating watch and Soumitra as Mayur Bahan surpasses all the others in acting.

Ch(n)ader Pahaar

It was after several long years that I set my eyes again on the book, excerpts from which had been a part of my primary school syllabus. From the very day the pages of this riveting adventure story unfolded itself in front of me, it had been etched deep into the memory. So though the age has advanced, the thrill of Sankar's adventure had remained as exciting as ever. Bibhutibhushan's masterpiece indeed had become a classic for all times.
Sankar, the son of an ordinary jute mill worker in a village of Bengal. A keen student of geography & astronomy, had always aspired for an adventurous life. Thus when he came to know of a job in the Mombasa railway construction site in Africa, he didn't waste any time and travelled across the continent to join there. There he received his first taste of danger at the labour camp where suddenly a man-eating lion appeared and kept terrorizing the labourers for days. Infact, Sankar himself had a close shave with the lion once which far from deterring his spirits made him even more emboldened. As the lion stalled the construction work, Sankar took up a stationmaster’s job near Kisumu. But here too he faced the wrath of the jungle as a lion became an infrequent visitor of his quarter and he himself had a narrow escape from a venomous Black Mamba. But here came the turning point in his life when he met the near dying Diego Alvarej, an explorer of the jungles of Africa who told him of his curious adventure in the slopes of the Richterseveldt mountain range that led to the disconvery of a diamond mine jointly with his friend and fellow explorer, the late Jim Carter. Fate had dealt a rough hand with them as they not only lost the way guiding the path to the mine but also had a tragic encounter with a three-toed savage ape that cost Carter's life. Alvarej himself had struggled to come down and he told all this as he recovered from his wounds nursed by the ever sincere Sankar. The stories invoked the adventurer in Sankar and he requested Alvarej to allow him to be part of his next mission: to find the route to the diamond mine.
Thus began the dangerous and perilous adventure of Sankar in the trecharous terrain of the Richtardsveldt studded with venomous insects, toxic herbs, savage beasts and a dormant volcano. The able penmanship of Bibhutibhushan has brought to fore all these in a brilliant style and nobody wil believe that the writer had never set a foot in the continent that he so masterfully described. Added to this is the bonus cover design by Satyajit Ray and the other equally brilliant sketches in the book makes this all the more appealing.

Saat Paake Bandha

http://calcuttatube.com/saat-paake-bandha-2009/

Madly Bangalee

http://calcuttatube.com/madly-bangalee-2009-bengali-film-review/

Aaro Ek Dajon

Another of a dozen of Satyajit Ray's short story collection following Ek Dajon Gappo including three Feluda stories that I picked up from my collection this time for revisiting the wonders of Ray. The content and their briefs are as

1. Professor Hijibijbij is a tribute to Ray's father and to his fantastic creations depicted in Abol Tabol and Ha-Ja-Ba-Ra-La that were brought to life by the eccentric professor of the story. But the final paragraphs seem to warn the readers of the dangers of defying nature.
2. Fritz deals with the supernaturals with an ending to send the head reeling in awe.
3. Brown Saheber Bungalow is a ghost story with an unique twist at the climax.
4. Sadanander Khude Jagat is written from the perspective of a child who could hear the ants’ voices.
5. Khagam is another spine chilling horror story of a saint who loved snakes and his pet one in particular.
6. Ratanbabau aar Shei Lokta is a queer story in which a lonely traveller meets a man who seemed to be his carbon copy in both appearance and nature. But though in one hand Ratanbabu seemed to get his right mate but the resemblence seemed to be getting discomfortingly painful which drove him to commit a murder and bear the consequence that was beyond his wildest dreams.
7. Bhakta is the most fascinating of the stories in which again resemblance plays the central role and an ordinary holidaying man finds himself trapped in the fan-circle of a renowned writer.
8. Batikbabu is another of Ray’s wonderful creation where obsession to a queer hobby drives a person to sheer madness.
9. Barin Bhoumiker Beram is one of Ray’s excellent pieces where the ultimate twist is in the final few lines.
10. Sheyal Debota Rahasya introduces Feluda to the case of an antique thief which he solves with his naturally sharp intellect.
11. Samaddarer Chaabi sets Feluda to a treasure hunt based on the queer few words which the dead man utters moments before his death. But villains prowl behind the shadows and it is to be seen how Feluda manages to catch them while recovering the treasure. Curiously, this story is devoid of any picture while the previous one had two sketches to the credit.
12. Ghurghutiar Ghatana is yet another case with Feluda solving a riddle to open a combination lock but the revelation of the vilest mind is again exposed by his quick wit. As in the previous two, this story was also written before Sonar Kella and so no Lalmohanbabu is there for a comic relief though the modulated pace of the story never seemed to need one.

Roman Holiday

The 1953 film starring Gregory Peck and introducing Audrey Hepburn, the latter clinching the Academy Award for Best Actress in the same movie, is a romantic comedy centering on a single day's events in a princesses' life that she tried to spend as an ordinary holidaying tourist. Eddie Albert co-stars in this comedy and gives the perfect humorous relief to an already humourous but romantic chain of events.
Ann is a princess of an unnamed nation set on a tour of several European cities. Tired of the official duties to be performed one night she tries to break free from the princely duties and escapes outside in the dark city streets while at Rome one evening. Prior to this she was given a sedative to calm her nerves that takes effect very soon and she dozes off in a roadside bench only to be discovered by Joe Bradley, a reporter of an American newspaper stationed at Rome. Though initially Joe doesn't recognize her and reluctantly carries her home, but once he identifies her with her published picture at the papers he immediately smells a scoop and devises a plan of hitting up with an exclusive interview for his paper. For this he takes help of his photographer friend Irving Radovich and together they accompany her Royal Highness on a guided tour of the city street without disclosing their professions to Ann. But news of the missing princess reaches her kingdom from where secret agents were deployed and they spot her on a public ball with Bradley. A brawl breaks up and Bradley and Ann makes a narrow escape and suddenly they find that they have developed feelings for each other. Now it remains to seen whether the call of duty for the princess can pursuade her to return to the embassy or whether she lets herself be carried away by her emotions. Also for Bradley, he is held in a dilemma between publishing of the scandalous story and keeping the faith intact between him and the princess.
A superb storyline, later used in several other films, and a wonderful casting has made this movie an all time hit.

G(n)osaibaganer Bhoot

Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay’s novel aimed for the children readers and with more or less in the same style as in Manojded Advut Bari though the theme seemed more simplified than the later.
The central character was Burun, a mediocre student of Bhataguri who suddenly seemed to gather superhuman qualities, thanks to a 200 year old ghost Nidhiram residing in the nearby G(n)osaibagan, an infamous patch of land, once the abode of Gosai gangster and his henchmen now turned to the dwelling place of the spirits of the same villains and some new ghostly recruits. But this abode of the ghosts and the whole of Bhataguri seemed on the verge of catastrophy with the coming of the Satanic Habu with his evil powers to tame both the living and the dead. Thus it was upto the wise Ram Kabiraj(grandpa to Burun)’s prudence to devise a way to shield off the terror for ever.
The story is again a nice read though I did not felt it to be so exciting as Manojder Advut Bari but the ingenious plot is surely to arouse enjoyable thrills to the young mind.