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.

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.

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.

Shibram Omnibus Vol VIII

A hilarious volume containin a slightly adult novel and rest short stories - each bringing more and more laughter for the young and the old. Blending the signature style of puns with ready wit Shibram Chakrabarty has created a world of his own. Starting from title of the omnibus that confuses the reader about the real spelling of his name the style followed is just unique. Some hilarious episodes bordering nonsensicality but never becoming too much irritating the stories are mostly just fun filled. The content of this fantastically humourous volume runs as

• Upanyas
• Ke Hatyakari
• Galpo
• Aamar Sampadak Shikar
• Haradhaner Dukhsha
• Tiktikir Lyajer Dik
•  Prakriti-Rasiker Rasik Prakriti
• Kalantak Laal Fita
• Bhut aar Bhuto!
• Lakshan ebong Durlakshan
• Ashrampeera
• Na, Bhuter Galpo Noe
• Goldighir Bhut!
• Ghumer Bahor
• Bikramadityer Dasham Ratna
• Bustuto Bhai
• First Boy
• Rupantar
• Banamaleer Chikitsa
• Teko Rajar Taka
• Baagh-Shikar
• Aamar Pujar Upahar
• Aamader Gramer Bokchaitan
• Naam o Naamee
• Hatir sange Hatahati
• Peethasthan
• Ghorar sange Ghoraghuri

The volume not only contains some of the funniest episodes but also contains one of the interesting novels by Shibram. Albeit a bit forced at places but the novel is enjoyable still though it never comes close to the appeal of the stories. Can be readily utilized to counter boredom, I personally felt it a wonderful companion in the long bus journey promising an even longer day (!) at the workplace. Also the tiring mind found it as another pleasant companion in bed (!) right before stealing into the land of dreams. Recommended for both young and old it may be enjoyed by a slightly mature mind.

The Immortals of Meluha

Can be considered as an alternative mythology, the novel tries to define the mythological and divine characters in the light of logic and philosophy with slight defects being in choice of curses like ‘Goddammit’ etc. and adjectives like ‘electrifying’ and the likes which is not proper when the backdrop is a civilization, maybe the most ancient in Indian history. Referring to dates in BC and using the names like India (?) seems also poor choice in the novel.

But besides these I will say that Indian readers will find an appealing anecdote of the philosophy of evil and the good in the beginner of the Shiva trilogy. On the verge when evil seems to engulf the souls of the tribes a saviour is hoped to rise to deliver the people to the righteous path. As the Suryavanshis try to protect their river Saraswati from being encroached by Chandravanshis, it seems all depends on Shiva, leader of the Guna tribe, hailing from the northern mountains of Tibet. The Nagas too seems to be involved in the plot. The deformed but skilled warriors in the Nagas are more worrisome due to their shadowy tactics. But curiously the apparently cursed Vikarmas of Meluha proves to be another strong force for whom Shiva restore reverence and from these people he curbs out a robust force for the Suryavanshis on their battle against their enemies. But tragedy strikes more than once as the secret of the Nagas are never revealed. A raging war cannot be prevented but the aftermath does not seem what It was hoped to be. The author has excelled not only in the description of the battles or the elaboration of the perspectives of the Good and Evil, but in explaining the Indus Valley civilization whose architectural rationale seemed only to be contained in books of history and archaeology so far. The narrative ends with the Pandits of the Vasudeva tribe whispering wisdom to Shiva and telling him of Lord Rudra, the first Mahadev while evil lurks just a short distance ahead thus continuing with the excitement till the next part.