Jabar Baro

This particular collection of Ray's dozen stories seems a bit disappointing as though it contains one of the most varied collections ranging from some of his short stories, punched with some of Tarineekhuro's narratives, culminating in the traditional style with a Feluda story and also containing, for the first time, a play and a couple of vernacular translations of Ray's english stories, but it lacks the regular Ray charm. Though Tarineekhuro returns in style with Mahim Sanyaler Ghatana, Ganatkat Tarineekhuro and Galpabolie Tarineekhuro, the twists progressing more unpredictably and enjoyably more than before but curiously Sakuntalar Kantahar lacks the characteristic Feluda wit and the Ray humour. The translations, courtesy Sreemati Bijaya Ray, titled Puraskar and Barnandha, matching in their theme and another very interesting aspect that the characters are nameless, but they are contrastingly enjoyable and gloomy respectively. Haaui is a refreshing play and as far as I can place it, this is an adaptation of one of the author's own short stories. Shilpi and Pratikriti are again thematically similar but while the first has a delightful twist the later is abrupt and disappointing. Abhiram begins with a promise of suspense augmented by its illustrations but the climax is almost totally predictable. But the best of the collection is Mrigankababur Ghatana which borders sci-fi and will be remembered by the readers for its classic blend of psychology, suspense and the signature twist which again reminds us of the master story teller. Brajaburo reflects another socio-psychological aspect which is enjoyable as a story and reveals the stark truth of loneliness.

So though it is a collector's item for completing the Ray works but some of the narratives are far from the average as far as the author is concerned. So readers may shop for it but might as well keep their expectations a few octaves low. The illustrations are though not all by the author but the others has done justice to the stories. These are at par will the original style of the author.

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.

Tarnikhuror Kirtikolap

The content is as

1. Dumnigorer Manushkheko

2. Conway Castler Pretatma

3. Seth Gangaramer Dhandoulat

4. Lucknowr Duel

5. Dhumolgarer Hunting Lodge

6. Kheloar Tarinikhuro

7. Tollywoode Tarinikhuro

8. Tarinikhuro o Betal

To some, Ray’s Feluda belongs to the series of ‘Dada’s to which belongs Premendra Mitra’s Ghonada & Narayan Gangopadhyay’s Tenida, but to me Feluda appears to be Ray’s creation to meet the intellectual need of the Bengali youth. But Tarinikhuro, his other creation, can be more appropriately placed in the ‘addabaaz’ Bengali class and can be looked upon as an older version of Ghonada. Though the later’s exploits takes him around the globe but Tarinikhuro has always kept his adventures within the borders of his country. But that didn’t stop him from coming face-to-face with maneaters, ghosts, noblemen, murderers, actors, artists and men of various other professions as he claims to his audience comprising of the narrator and his four friends, Bhulu, Napla, Chatpati, Sunanda. According to him, much of his life has been spent touring the whole of India in pursuit of adventure for which he had to switch between various professions including that of journalist, model, production manager of a film company, personal assistant, personal secretary, private tutor and several others. And in almost every occasion he became involved in curious situations.

Eight of his exploits are penned by Ray in this book and he, as always had excelled in his storytelling ability and his brilliance in carving extraordinary stories out of an ordinary surrounding that is evident in 3, 4, 6 and 7. The other four are mainly ghost stories but here too the twists near the end will surely fascinate the readers.