Mandrake and the Black Wizard : In the Phantom's Domain Voodoo won't do!

It had been years since I read an Indrajal comics, the comics in which many tasted the first flavours of adventure. The phantoms’ heroics, mandrake’s strategies and many others that held our fascinations for ages are again back in soft copies. So as I went through Mandrake and the Black Magic and Voodoo Won’t Do, though it seemed childish enough but the same sense of contentment returned, which I seemed to have lost decades ago. In the fictional forests of Denkali, as the Phantom fights off the evil witches, Mandrake takes care of the sophisticated illusionists of the city. But the wizadry that predominates in the pages is that of Lee Falk's whose enchanting narration accompanied by the vibrant images magically transforms the surrounding to the land we left in our youth.

Maran Batas

The only thing that is not appropriate is its title. Suchitra Bhattacharya’s sleuth Mitin once more gets involved in an apparently simple case where the murderer seems to be already apprehended. With piles of evidence against her, Mitin seems confused as to the motive though DC DD Anischoy Majumar is quite certain about it. But there seems to be no better rationale than that proposed by the police against the murderer – the wife of the victim who is again handicapped! But something seems fishy and Mitin launches an investigation of her own. A startling twist awaits the readers as the mystery deepens with new findings. Written within the span of only a few pages the author once again plots a psychological thriller that will no doubt stimulate the grey cells.

The English Teacher

A tragedy like never before, Narayan unfolds love, life and death in the last of his trilogy that started with Swami, continued with the BA graduate and culminated in The English Teacher, a remarkable adventure reflecting the social evolution of man. Dedicated to his wife, Rajam, the novel is emotional and enchanting as it speaks of the inner self and philosophises on the afterlife but remains so much rational. Pain and bereavement have been etched out in its pages but never for once they seek sympathy but remains calm and composed in its flowing narration. The simple joys of the simple people and life's own surprises and griefs had been compiled in this beatifully versed literary creation that will remain a classic for ages to come. The only thing that remains a mystery, rather a query to me, is whether the great Ray had ever come across Narayan's works and considered it to make it a film as only a great director like him could have made a visual masterpiece of the story.

Nobel Chor: A study of the stolen wealth!

http://calcuttatube.com/suman-ghoshs-bengali-film-nobel-chor-a-study-of-the-stolen-wealth/160783/

Kahaani

http://calcuttatube.com/kahaani-2012-hindi-movie-starring-vidya-balan-mesmerize-audience-user-review/160727/

Mausoleum

Marshal Vodi and his band of choktars along with the fyatarus hatches up another of his extra-ordinary plots with the help of Daarkaak, Begum Johnson and a new senior advisor, Banabiral. Initially they tries starting a weekly magazine but the venture fails miserably. Then came the grand twist as Vodi feigns death and his body is displayed as mummy. Unsurprisingly this causes a stir among every class of people and as some supports this new feather in the Bengali cap others oppose it vehemently. This only fuels up the much needed publicity and ultimately the mnetary profits piles up. Written in the signature style of Bhattacharya, the boorish language adds to the appeal but the attractiveness of "Fyatarur Bombachak" is missing surely. Well this type of literature has a charm of its own but enthusiast readers must bear in mind that this may not be recommended for all.

A Difficult Problem

Little did I knew of Anna Katharine Green and her writing when I stumbled upon her name among the list of some of the greatest writers of crime fictions. Infact knowing her and while searching among my possessions of ebooks, I was surprised to find that I had, with me, some of her works but had never went through them. So with the help of Project Gutenberg, I collected several of them and picked up this short story to sample her creation.

A Difficult Problem is less of detection but more of a story where the truth seaker lay down trap to convict the guilt on the perpetrator. Narrated in first person by the detective whose name remains unknown throughout, the story follows him as he tries to convict a person of a murder that on the first, seemed not to be recongnized by the authority. The touch of classic added to the story of revenge, the plot follows a nice pace which never lacks in excitement, thanks to the unique style of the authoress. Reading this, my interest grows more as I look forward to enjoy some more of Green's works.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.