Samagra Kishore-Sahitya Vol. III

Probably the best of the rest, at least my personal best among the rest of the series, this contains an assortment of sorts that ranges from the hilarious to the melancholy, all narrated in the style just right for the young minds.

The collection is categorized as stories, novels, articles, drama and chronicle. Based mainly on humour it contains some memorable ones like Chele Dharar Itihas, Nidarun Pratisodh, Duryodhaner Pratihinsa, Taliyat, Tin Aanar Aamer Janya, Jayadrath Bodh, Nangchadar 'Hahakar', Ekadoshir Ranchijatra, Prabhat Sangeet that guarantees peels and peels of laughter without a trace of malice. Again humour with an underlying moral is present in Jagannather Thenga, Alu-Kabli and an uncommon narrative - a true mystery revealed in Ekti Khuner Ghatana. Others that will bring smile in the face includes Guruprapti, Bhuture Kamra, Bhut Maane Bhut, Tutuner Pratigya, Purush, Chul Katar Bhoe - the later three being more nostalgic to the young teens stepping on the verge of adulthood. Another moving story titled Dupur Belar Lokta is as touching as it is haunting.

The four novels seem to offer multiple dimensions to the collection, 'charmurti' returning in the fun filled adventure Kambol Niruddesh that starts with a missing prankster whose return seems to be nobody's business but the four and his uncle assuring the quad that he has surely reached the moon. This is followed by a mystery in Jayadhyajer Joyrath that culminates not only with the solution but a promise of trust between generations. The next one is an adaptation, Abyartha Lakhshyaved that is as hilarious as the original. The last but surely not the least is an adventure that blossoms in the most exciting way in Raghaber Joyyatra.

A chronicle bordering legend titled Kamala Sagarer Upakhyan is a moving narrative of a sacrifice of the nobility for the common people.

There is a dramatization of a Tenida story in the comic Porer Upakar Korio Na but though Pyala, Habul and Kyabla retains their names but Tenida's is replaced by his good name Bhajahari. Another short yet compact drama is Bheem Bodh that apparently deviates a serious climax of the epic.

The article contains a short memoir dedicated to Rabindranath and the vacuum that his absence had created. But the best of the collection, maybe due to my age, is the article on Rammohan which is a tribute to the life of the premiere modern man of India and his works that freed the mind of the people long before freeing the country.

Samagra Kishore-Sahitya Vol. IV

• Ghoramamar Abadan
• Swayam Tinii
• Sada Hasyamukhe Thakbe
• Boltudar Utsaha Labh
• Gajakeshtababur Haasi
• Saheber Upahar
  
• The Great Ch(n)atai
• Anyamanaska Chor
• Lankanatham Kattasundaram
• Ghantadar Kablukaka
• Journey by Car
• Ticket
• Porer Poishae
• Pishemoshaer Mamar Galpo
• Kabitar Janma
• Shayataner S(n)ako
• Ghoramamar Cutlet
• Kh(n)aramoshai
• Naama Rahasya
• Rachanar Rahasya
• Haate Haatei
• Haridas aar Neel Maachi
• Ekdiner Uposh
• Pratidwandee
• Halde Bus
• Laal Ghora
• Sei Cheleta
• Cricket maane Jh(n)ijh(n)i
• Karim Mia
• Doctor Zakeer Hossain (Smritikatha)
• Chotobelar Smriti (Atmajeebanee)
• Pabitra Gangopadhyayke lekha chithi

A glance at the above will reveal that the volume is a mixture of a variety of literatures penned by the creator of Tenida, Pyala, Haub, Kyabla. Another bout of laughter galore, the volume is mostly humorous but blended, I think with just the correct proportion of nostalgic memoirs, letters, articles and some of the author's creations that he wrote during a very early age. Acknowledgement is thus due to Asha Devi and Abhijit Gangopadhyay to compile this volume. Also the majority of the smileys are not again reserved to Teni and his group's activities alone but other interesting characters have found their place suitably in the volume, that shows that if Narayanbabu had wished to start a series with any of the other characters,Bengali readers would not have been dissapointed. Of particular interest is the stories he wrote during his childhood that infact parallels many of the matured writings of the writer. Infact I think readers may find it interesting if they start savouring his stories from this volume only.

Samagra Kishore-Sahitya Vol. II

Ø  Galpo

·        Bhajahari Film Corporation

·        Chaamchike aar Tickei Checker

·        Harpoon

·        Ghora-torar Byapar

·        Nababee Amaler Galpo

·        Brahmabikasher Dantabikash

·        Genghis aar Hamliner Ba(n)shiwala

·        Gh(n)uteparar shei Match

·        Tiktikir Lyaaj

·        Bearing Ch(n)at

·        Bhajaraamer Pratisodh

·        Dada howar Daam

·        K(n)akrabiche

·        Kaak-Kahinee

·        Tin Minuter Galpo

·        Honolulur Makuda

·        Tatwabodhan mane-Jeebe Prem

·        Dashaanancharit

·        Harishpurer Rashikata

·        Ekti Janala Khulte

·        Bird of Paradise

·        Pharsee Galper ek Tukro

·        Halkhatar Khawa-Dawa

·        Torch

·        Ostader Maar

·        Chatra-Charitamrita

·        Jhow-Rahasya

·        Panchananer Haati

·        Tenida aar Yeti

·        Camouflage

Ø  Koutuk-Natika

·        Tenida aar Sindhughotak

·        Bharate Chai

·        Baaro Bhute

·        Viswakarmar Ghuri

The second volume is another classic collection of unadulterated humour in its cleanest form. Comprising of several of Tenida and company’s hilarious exploits combined with mischief abound this volume has a surprise of three short dramas tuned to comedy and more. Repeating one short story from the earlier volume, the apologies of Asha Devi and Arijit Gangopadhyay in the introduction seemed redundant as a Narayan Gangopadhyay fan would never regret any fun revisited.

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.