books with new Ghanada texts

a) Mosha [Mosquito], 1945. b) Poka [Insect], 1948. c) Nuri [Pebble], 1947. d) Kach [Glass], 1950. e) Machh [Fish], 1949. f) Tupi [Hat], 1952. g) Chhori [Stick], 1949. h) Lattu [Top], 1952.

Ghanadas third story Ghori, 1948 was added to original volume # 2, Adwityo Ghanada (1959).
As mentioned, Ajit Gupta changed and defined Ghanashyam Das’ appearance from this partially-coloured first volume.

Subsequent Edition

Year: 1986

Publisher: M. C. Sarkar and Sons Private Ltd.

Jacket Design / Illustrations: Ajit Gupta

Re-published three decades later, this version added new headpiece sketches, a tailpiece and newly illustrated table of contents. All the previous drawings appeared, albeit in monochrome. With a difference. An additionally inserted face or figure of Ghanada observed the action from a distance. All this wrapped in a revamped jacket, with echoes of the original.

'Ghanadar Galpo', 1956 Jacket Design: Ajit Gupta

Ghanadar Galpo, Indian Associated Edition, 1956

'Ghanadar Galpo', 1986 Jacket Design: Ajit Gupta

Ghanadar Galpo, M. C. Sarkar Edition, 1986

2. Adwityo Ghanada

(Matchless Ghanada)

First Edition

Year: 1959

Publisher: Indian Associated Publishing Co. Private Ltd.

Jacket Design / Illustrations: Ajit Gupta

The second volume opted for a chronological order.
Barring the third tale, a leftover from book # 1.

a) Dada [Elder Brother], 1953. b) Phuto [Hole], 1954. c) Dnat [Teeth], 1955. d) Ghori [Watch], 1948. e) Hnash [Duck], 1957. f) Suto [Thread], 1958.

Black-and-white illustrations.

Subsequent Edition

Year: 1988

Publisher: M. C. Sarkar and Sons Private Ltd.

Jacket Design / Illustrations: Ajit Gupta

A brand new cover, page of contents, head & tail pieces were the graphic additions.
M. C. Sarkar repeated the pattern of inserting a looker-on Ghanada into the original illustrations.

Adwityo Ghanada, Indian Associated Edition, 1959

Adwityo Ghanada, M. C. Sarkar Edition, 1988

3. Abar Ghanada

(Ghanada Again)

First Edition

Year: 1963

Publisher: Indian Associated Publishing Co. Private Ltd.

Jacket Design / Illustrations: Ajit Gupta

Another classic Indian Associated – Ajit Gupta collaboration.
This third book carried only three entries, though story # 2 was longish.

a) Dhil[Stone], 1960. b) Such [Pipette], Year Unknown. c) Shishi [Phial], 1959.

Black-and-white illustrations.

Subsequent Edition

Year: 2003

Publisher: Shoibya Prakashan Bibhag

Jacket Design: Robin Basu, inspired by Ajit Gupta

Stock sketches by Ajit Gupta and / or Robin Basu were liberally sprinkled into the text and the original Gupta illustrations.
Headpiece for each tale had a spoiler quote by Ghanada.

Abar Ghanada, Indian Associated Edition, 1963

Abar Ghanada, Shoibya Edition, 2003

4. Ghanadake Vote Din

(Vote For Ghanada)

First Edition

Year: 1964

Publisher: Indian Associated Publishing Co. Private Ltd.

Jacket Design / Illustrations: Ajit Gupta

Once more, a longish tale followed by two short ones.

a) Ghanadake Vote Din [Vote For Ghanada], Year Unknown. b) Knecho [Worm], 1961. c) Machhi [Fly], 1963.

Black-and-white illustrations.

Abar Ghanada, Shoibya Edition, 2003

5. Ghanada Nityo Notun

(Evergreen Ghanada)

First Edition

Year: 1966

Publisher: Indian Associated Publishing Co. Private Ltd.

Jacket Design / Illustrations: Ajit Gupta

The fifth and final original Ghanada book from Indian Associated.
Followed by the anthology Ghanada Choturmukh.

The four stories:
a) Jawl [Water], 1964. b) Chokh [Eye], 1965. c) Chhata [Umbrella], 1962.
d) Ghanada Kulpi Khan Na [No Icecream for Ghanada], 1964. – had two-tone illustrations for a change.

Subsequent Edition

Year: 2003

Publisher: Shoibya Prakashan Bibhag

Jacket Design: Robin Basu, inspired by Ajit Gupta

Ghanada Kulpi Khan Na was abbreviated to Kulpi. All illustrations from the original, featured in B/W. With some new / stock sketches by Ajit Gupta and / or Robin Basu. Headpiece for each tale had a quote by Ghanada.

For some reason, a sketch from Jawl was assigned to Chokh and vice versa.

Ghanada Nityo Notun, Indian Associated Edition, 1966

Ghanada Nityo Notun, Shoibya Edition, 2003

6. Agra Jakhon Talomawl

(When Agra Trembled)

First Edition

Year: 1968

Publisher: Ananda Publishers Private Limited

Jacket Design / Illustrations: Ajit Gupta

First Ghanada volume not published by Indian Associated.
First book featuring Ghanashyam’s predecessors.

Ajit Gupta used separate motifs for the two novellas:

a) Agra Jakhon Talomaw [When Agra Trembled], 1966.
b) Das Holen Ghanada [Thus the Title of Das], Year Unknown.

Ancestor Bachanram’s resemblance to Ghanashyam
assured readers this was part of the canon.

Agra Jakhon Talomawl, Ananda Publishers, 1968

7. Shurjo Knadley Sona

(Golden Tears Of the Sun)

First Edition

Year: 1969

Publisher: Gronthoprokash

Jacket Design: Ajit Gupta

First titled Toshyo Toshyo Athoba Shurjo Knadley Sona, when it appeared serially in Amrito.
Second book on our hero’s predecessors. Longest Ghanashyam novel.Sadly the book-jacket by Ajit Gupta is Ghanada-less.The Egyptian motif shown seems surprising for a novel set in 16th century Peru.
No illustrations inside.

8. Ghanadar Juri Nei

(Unrivalled Ghanada)

First Edition

Year: 1970

Publisher: Shoibya Prakashan Bibhag

Jacket Design / Illustrations: Dhiren Baul

The first Ghanada book without an Ajit Gupta jacket.

However Dhirendranath Baul (1912 – 1992) s innovative cover was changed in the 1993 edition, where even his smart illustrations for:

a) Tel [Oil], 1967. b) Bhasha [Language], 1966.
c) Map [Measure], 1969. d) Mati [Soil], 1968.

– had an Ajit Guptas Ghanada-head grafted onto them.

Ghanadar Juri Nei, Shoibya Edition, 1970

Ghanadar Juri Nei, Shoibya Edition, 1993

9. Jnar Nam Ghanada

(The One Called Ghanada)

First Edition

Year: 1971

Publisher: Ananda Publishers Private Limited

Jacket Design / Illustrations: Ajit Gupta

Ghanada, Ananda Publishers, 1971

Ajit Gupta was back with a bright red jacket and all-new sketches for the five stories:

a) Dhulo [Dust], 1968. b) Mulo [Radish], 1970. c) Tawl [Almost Water], 1970. d) Nach [Dance], 1969. e) Kada [Mud], 1969.

Nach uncomfortably echoed the Surya Roy original.

Jnar Nam Ghanada, Ananda Publishers, 1971

10. Mongolgrohey Ghanada

(Ghanada on Mars)

First Edition

Year: 1973

Publisher: Shoibya Pustakalay

Jacket Design / Illustrations: Narayan Debnath

Mongolgrohey Ghanada, Shoibya, 1973

“Ghanadas only complete novel” – claims the book. Actually its the first juvenile one.
Veteran artist Narayan Debnath gave our hero a distinctive man-of-the-world look, sans moustache.
A comical Debnath version also appeared this year for Berajaley Ghanada.

(Global Ghanada)

First Edition

Year: April 1976

Publisher: Deys Publishing

Jacket Design / Illustrations: Goutam Roy

Goutam Roys hero echoed the Ajit Gupta trademark including the distinctive skull shape.
The illustration for Gaan had traces of the Shuvaprasanna original.

Stories featured:

a) Knata [Thorn], 1971. b) Gaan [Song], 1974.
c) Keechak Badhey Ghanada [Ghanada on the Slaying of Keechak], 1975.
d) Prithibi Barlo Na Kyano ? [Why Didnt the World Expand ?], 1973.
e) Ghanadar Dhonurbhango [Dhonu Bows Down], 1970.

Duniyar Ghanada, Dey’s Publishing, 1976

12. Aphuronto Ghanada

(Ghanada Galore)

First Edition

Year: June 1976

Publisher: Saksharata Prakashan / Pashchimbanga Niraksharata Doorikaran Samiti

Jacket Design / Illustrations: Ajit Gupta

Last book with new Ghanada texts featuring new sketches by Ajit Gupta.
Twenty-four old tales from Ghanadar Galpo, Adwityo Ghanada, Abar Ghanada, Ghanadake Vote Din, Ghanada Nityo Notun were placed next to two new ones.

a) Berajaley Ghanada [Net], 1973 & b) Bharat Juddhey Pnipre [Ants in the Mahabharat War],1975 would eventually be a part of Ghanadar Phnu (1978), but Aphuronto Ghanada seems the first to compile them.

Original drawings, along with some new headpieces & illustrations appeared in monochrome.
The anthology includes Dada and Dnat, though the Contents page seems to have missed them.

Second Edition

Year: 1982

Publisher: Saksharata Prakashan / Pashchimbanga Niraksharata Doorikaran Samiti

Jacket Design: Subodh Kumar Dasgupta

All illustrations & headpieces were removed in edition # 2.
A new cover by Subodh Dasgupta replaced Ajit Guptas original.

(Ghanadas Puff)

First Edition

Year: 1978

Publisher: Ananda Publishers Private Limited

Jacket Design / Illustrations: Dhruba Roy

Dhruba Roy brought an interesting texture to the stylized drawings of:
a) Ghanadar Phnu [Ghanadas Puff], Year Unknown.
b) Bharat Juddhey Pnipre [Ants in the Mahabharat War], 1975.
c) Berajaley Ghanada [Net], 1973.
d) Kurukshetrey Ghanada [Ghanada on the Kurukshetra War], 1977.
e) Khandabdahey Ghanada [Ghanada on the Khandab Fire], 1976.

Stories b) & c) previously featured in Aphuronto Ghanada

Here was an angry-looking clean-shaven Ghanashyam.

Ghanadar Phnu, Ananda Publishers, 1978

14. Tel Deben Ghanada

(Ghanada: Oil Supplier)

First Edition

Year: July 1979

Publisher: Ananda Publishers Private Limited

Jacket Design / Illustrations: Ahibhushan Malik

Juvenile Ghanada novel # 2.

Our heros appearance took a never-before cartoonish turn with

Ahibhushan Malik (1924 – 1986) s characteristic illustrations.

Tel Deben Ghanada, Ananda Publishers, 1979

15. Ghanada Bichitra

(Ghanada Potpourri)

First Edition

Year: 1981

Publisher: One source mentions Indian Associated Publishing Company
as the first publisher, but the three editions we’ve discovered are from Shoibya Prakashan Bibhag.

The sole poem & play from the Ghanada canon, and Jayadrath Badhey Ghanada [later a part of Ghanadar Chingri Brittanto] appeared first in Ghanada Bichitra. This compilation also had the Ghanadar Juri Nei stories and the novel Mongolgrohey Ghanada.

On the occasion of Ghanadas Golden Anniversary announced Ghanada Bichitra (1992 Edition)
although our hero debuted in 1945!

Shangjukto Shanshkaran

Year: 1992

Publisher: Shoibya Prakashan Bibhag

Jacket Design: Debasish Deb

Illustrations: Debasish Deb, Dhiren Baul, Narayan Debnath

Debasish Deb designed the cover and decorated the poem, play & Jayadrath Badhey Ghanada.
Mongolgrohey Ghanada and the four tales from Ghanadar Juri Nei retained the Narayan Debnath
& Dhiren Baul drawings.

Shobhon Shanshkaran

Year: 1993

Publisher: Shoibya Prakashan Bibhag

Jacket Design: Robin Basu, inspired by Ajit Gupta

Illustrations: Debasish Deb, Dhiren Baul, Narayan Debnath, Ajit Gupta, Robin Basu

All the Debasish Deb illustrations were removed.
Stock Ghanada profiles by Ajit Gupta / Robin Basu added.
Mongolgrohey Ghanada featured the Narayan Debnath versions from a later edition.
However as in the 1993 edition of Ghanadar Juri Nei, all the Ghanada faces by Dhiren Baul were replaced by an Ajit Gupta prototype.

Shobhon Shanshkaran, Revised Second Edition

Year: 2003

Publisher: Shoibya Prakashan Bibhag

Jacket Design: Robin Basu, inspired by Ajit Gupta

Illustrations: Debasish Deb, Dhiren Baul, Narayan Debnath,
Ajit Gupta, Robin Basu

Similar to the 1993 Shobhon Shanshkaran of Ghanada Bichitra. But the Narayan Debnath sketches in Mongolgrohey Ghanada now had Ajit Gupta-like Robin Basu heads of Ghanashyam Das grafted onto them.

Ghanada Bichitra, Shoibya Prakashan Bibhag,
1992

Ghanada Bichitra, Shoibya Prakashan Bibhag,
1993

Ghanada Bichitra,
Shoibya Prakashan Bibhag,
2003

16. Ghanada Toshyo Toshyo Omnibus

(Ancestors of Ghanada)

First Edition

Year: 1983

Publisher: Ananda Publishers Private Limited

Jacket Design: Amiya Bhattacharya

Map Drawn By: Ardhendu Dutta

A compilation of the four tales for mature readers:

a) Das Holen Ghanada [Thus the Title of Das], Year Unknown.
b) Shurjo Knadley Sona [Golden Tears of the Sun], 1967 – 1968
c) Agra Jakhon Talomawl [When Agra Trembled], 1966.
d) Robinson Crusoe Meye Chhilen [Crusoe Was a Girl], Year Unknown.

Apart from a map by Ardhendu Dutta tracing the journey of Ghanashyam Das predecessors, the only other graphic inside was our heros face by Amiya Bhattacharya, as shown on the cover.

This was the first time Robinson Crusoe Meye Chhilen appeared in a Ghanada anthology.

Susequently Ghanada Samogro # 3, re-published all the entries from this volume.

Ghanada Toshyo Toshyo Omnibus, Ananda Publishers, 1983

17. Ghanadar Hij Bij Bij

(Ghanada’s Jibber-Jabber)

First Edition

Year: 1983

Publisher: Pakshiraj Prakashani

Jacket Design: Dhruba Roy

A note from the Publisher

Ad for Ghanadar Hij Bij Bij

Premendra Mitra edited the juvenile periodical Pakshiraj from 1978. Ghanadar Hij Bij Bij, the first book offering from Pakshiraj Prakashani, compiled three tales:

a) Ghanadar Hij Bij Bij [Ghanadas Jibber-Jabber], 1975.
b) Gul-E Ghanada [Fibs à la Ghanada], 1975.
c) Shanti Parbey Ghanada [Ghanada on Mahabharats Episode of Peace], 1974.

The cover by Dhruba Roy, who had earlier decorated Ghanadar Phnu, showed our hero as a bubble-blower leaning against a giant ঘ!

No illustrations inside.

Ghanadar Hij Bij Bij, Pakshiraj Prakashani, 1983

18. Ghanada O Mou-Ka-Sha-Bi-Sh

(Ghanada and Mou-Ka-Sha-Bi-Sh)

First Edition

Year: June, 1985

Publisher: Shoibya Prakashan Bibhag

Jacket Design / Illustrations: Alay Ghoshal

The author’s biographer mentions Ananda as the publisher of the first edition, but we’ve been unable to confirm this.

First Edition information about Ghanada O Mou-Ka-Sha-Bi-Sh. From Premendra Mitra by Sumita Chakrabarty

Eight stories found place in Ghanada O Mou-Ka-Sha-Bi-Sh:

a) Ghanadar Chithipawtro O Mou-Ka-Sha-Bi-Sh [Ghanadas Letters & Mou-Ka-Sha-Bi-Sh], 1982.
b) Mou-Ka-Sha-Bi-Sh O Ghanada [Mou-Ka-Sha-Bi-Sh and Ghanada], Year Unknown.
c) Mou-Ka-Sha-Bi-Sh Thekey Rashamalai [From Mou-Ka-Sha-Bi-Sh to Ras Malai], 1983.
d) Mou-Ka-Sha-Bi-Sh Ekbachan Na Bahubachan [Mou-Ka-Sha-Bi-Sh: Singular or Plural], 1984.
e) Ghanadar Sholyo Shamachar [Ghanada on the Slaying of Sholyo], 1983.
f) Ghanada Phirlen [Ghanada Returns], 1984.
g) Atharo Noy Unish [Nineteen, Not Eighteen], 1983.
h) Parasharey Ghanaday [Parashar & Ghanada], 1982.

Mou-Ka-Sha-Bi-Sh: Peddler of original plots.

Thus the mysterious acronym – Moulik Kahini Shar Bipanan Shangstha – can be translated. A set-up that riddles and ridicules Ghanada, recommending their unique storylines to replenish his shrinking stock. All this via massive missives.

In story # a) the receipients name: Ghana dadu is missing from the facsimile envelope sent by Tukai. Halley-r Bechal (1986) was also part of the Mou-Ka-Sha-Bi-Sh Series.

The final tale in this series, and the Canon, Mou-Ka-Sha-Bi-Sh Banam Ghanada appeared two years after this book. It became a part of the updated Ghanada Banam Mou-Ka-Sha-Bi-Sh (2003).

Interestingly, Alay Ghoshal gave our hero a typical bespectacled Bengali intellectual [আঁতেল] look, complete with a cloth bag [ঝোলা].

The elongated Ajit Gupta-like skull made Ghanashyam Das recognisable. Ghoshal started this trend in the pages of the periodical Kishore Jnan Bijnan, where the Mou-Ka-Sha-Bi-Sh series first appeared.

Ghanada O Mou-Ka-Sha-Bi-Sh, Shoibya Prakashan Bibhag, 1985

19. Mandhatar Tope O Ghanada

(Ghanada and the Prehistoric Bait)

First Edition

Year: 1987

Publisher: Ananda Publishers Private Limited

Jacket Design / Illustrations: Debasish Deb

The final Ghanada novel appeared in book form, a year before the authors demise. Debasish Deb (1955 – ), who had previously illustrated Ghanada Bichitra, shaved off our heros moustache for Mandhatar Tope.

Ghanada by Debasish Deb.

From Ghanada Bichitra
& Mandhatar Tope O Ghanada An intelligent use of shading & texture gave the B/W sketches an added dimension.

Review of ‘Mandhatar Tope O Ghanada’, Anandabazar Patrika’, 29th January, 1989

Mandhatar Tope O Ghanada, Ananda Publishers Private Limited, 1987

20.Ghanadar Chingri Brittanto

(The Chingri Story)

First Edition

Year: 1988

Publisher: Ananda Publishers Private Limited

Jacket Design / Illustrations: Subrata Chowdhury

From Halley-r Bechal.
Artist: Subrata Chowdhury

Chingri. From Ghanadar Chingri Brittanto.
Artist: Subrata Chowdhury

From Jayadrath Badhey Ghanada.
Artist: Subrata Chowdhury

Ghanadar Chingri Brittanto, Ananda Publishers Private Limited, 1988

21. Ghanada O Dui Doshor Mamababu O Parashar

(Ghanada With Two More Mamababu & Parashar)

First Edition

Year: January 1989

Publisher: Muktapatra Publications

Jacket Design: Anil Kumar Dutta

Illustrations: Uncredited

Though a mixed Premendra Mitra compilation, this volume was the first to include

a) Ghanadar Bagh [Tiger Tale], 1985. Also featured were the previously compiled.
b) Ghanadar Phirlen [Ghanada Returns], 1984.
c) Ghanadar Dhonurbhango [Dhonu Bows Down], 1970, as Ghanadar Bahattor.
d) Parasharey Ghanaday [Parashar & Ghanada], 1982.

Parashar Barma.

Artist: Unknown.

As the title suggests, Premendra Mitras lazy scientist-adventurer Mamababu and poet-sleuth Parashar Barma appear in the remaining stories of the book:

Pawrchula Shaheb O Mamababu, Footpather Boi, Turuper Tash Churi and Neel Khawerir Kechchha.

Mamababu.

Artist: Unknown.

Parashar is also a part of Parasharey Ghanaday & Ghanada Phirlen. The cover was designed by publisher Anil Kumar Dutta. Ghanada O Dui Doshor used the first-published sketches for the Ghanada tales, or variations on them. The original illustrators went uncredited.

Ghanada O Dui Doshor Mamababu O Parashar, Muktapatra Publications, 1989

Ghanada-Gallery