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.

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.

Narayan Gangopadhyay's Galpa Samgagra Vol I

Sometimes these stories seem so commonplace, very ordinary anecdotes of the common Bengali. But these again reminds us that we ourselves are the people whose day to day activities can be perceived in the same manner as an avid reader saluting the works of the great master. Mr. Gangopadhyay has once again provided inspiration and encouragement to all the classes that comprises the Bengalis in their journey to seek comfort in these days of apparent misery. He shows us the optimist's way to understand the world. Thus we find the poverty stricken parents of four, as they expect a fifth child, is torn between guilt and conscience as to whether to go for the option of abortion. The story ends with an optimistic touch that echoes the joys of life amid its apparent wretchedness. In another story, we find a book seller recounting his youth as a budding writer who gives up writing as the realization of practical life of supporting his own self and family dawns upon him. Though in the process, his romantic dream is shattered but again at the end we find him happy with his practical mind set. The story of a tribal father and son wonderfully portrays the blossoming of the son's maturity as they encounter a fierce tiger in the forest and thus infuses hope of survival to his father. Again there is the age old tale of ego and false ego between the husband and wife depited beautifully with love triumphing over career for a famous singer. Among all the short stories that this volume comprises of, only a few finishes with a note of gloom as in the case of a student of a freedom fighter who ahd come from the villages for a better education but falls prey to the greed of the materialistic business class and leaves all hope of a respectable future. The volume also contains stories reminiscent of the influence of some great authors namely Saratchandra in the story of the studious narrator getting attracted to the wild nature of his friend so as to evade his father's strict orders that prevails at home. There is also a touch of O. Henry in the story where the leading heroine of a drama is made to deliver her best by playing with her emotions. We are made to remember Sibram's 'Bari Thehe Palie' in a story of a homeseek child admitted in a hostel. But the concluding stories are devoid the optimistic touch, rather they portray the negative aspects of the human mind and its craving for easy money for which some doesn't feel the least concern while cheating or depriving the poorer class of their rights. These stories are woven in varied fabrics and the cast of characters ranges from simple country folks to the city dwellers, the rich lords to the downtrodden class, the academicians to the illiterates. As a whole these anecdotes made me feel as if the real taste of Bengali literature will be incomplete without these.

The index is as follows:

1. Lakkhir Pa

i. Lakkhir Pa

ii. Dwaita

iii. Prapat

iv. Commission

v. Jachai

vi. Gacher Sari

vii. Kaalpurush

viii. Aaro Ekjon

ix. Mohiner Kaka

x. Madhyakarshan

2. Subhokkhan

i. Ribbonbandha Bhaluk

ii. Keya

iii. Sanchar

iv. Udbodhan

v. Uttam Purush

vi. Khuni

vii. Tilangama

viii. Mahala

ix. Ekti Chithi

x. Record

xi. Titir

xii. Subhokkhan

3. Aaleyar Raat

i. Aaleyar Raat

ii. Tutul

iii. Asansoler Lokta

4. Exhibition

i. Pratipakhya

ii. Mananiya Parikhak Mahasae Samipeshu

iii. Kandari

iv. Exhibition

v. Amononita

vi. Geelti

vii. Atithya

viii. Madhubanti

ix. Daam

x. Raanir Galpa

xi. Gali

xii. Ranga Maashima

5. Beetangsa

i. Beetangsa

ii. Haar

iii. Pradip O Projapoti

iv. Treen

v. Nishachar

vi. Sainik