Short stories from the 1950s
Tall tale. Tiny title. Ghanada’s USP lay in two-syllabic names. Robinson Crusoe Meye Chhilen breaks this trend.
Ajit Gupta re-defines our hero’s look in the first published book.
Knaach
(Glass), 1950
First Published: 1950, Udayan, Dev Sahitya Kutir Puja annual
Illustrations: Protul Chandra Bandyopadhyay
First featured in the book: Ghanadar Gawlpo, 1956
Illustrations: Ajit Gupta
Knaach from the Puja annual Udayan (1950)
Artist: Protul Chandra Bandyopadhyay
From Knaach onwards, Protul Bandyopadhyay‘s Ghanashyam appeared equally old in the present & flashback sequences. A rare expresson of surprise on Gupta-Ghanada’s wooden visage.
Narendra Dutt’s Ghanashyam resembles Oliver Hardy !
[From Premendra Mitrer Sheraa Gawlpo, 1950]
Knaach from Ghanadar Gawlpo (1956, 1986)
Artist: Ajit Gupta
Knaach from Ghanada Choturmukh (1968), Awphuronto Ghanada (1976)
Artist: Ajit Gupta
From Premendra Mitrer Sheraa Gawlpo (1950)
Publisher: Chakrabarty & Chatterjee
Artist: Narendra Dutt
Heere Moti Paanna (1978)
Publisher: Annapurna Prakashan
Artist: Unknown
From a Hindi translation
Artist : Ajit Gupta
Robinson Crusoe Meye Chhilen
(Crusoe Was a Girl), 1952 or Earlier
First Published in: Unknown
First incorporated in the book: Premendra Mitrer Sreshtho Gawlpo, 1952
Publisher: Navana
Illustrator: Unknown
(Annada Munshi, Indra Dugar, Kalikinkar Ghosh Dastidar were the four illustrators of this book)
Also featured in the book: Ghanada Toshyo Toshyo Omnibus, 1983
Illustrations: None
Headpiece for Robinson Crusoe Meye Chhilen
From Premendra Mitrer Sreshtho Gawlpo, 1952
Publisher : Navana
Artist : Unknown
First to feature Ghanashyam’s alternate audience of elderly evening strollers: Ramsharan, Shibapada, Harisadhan and Bhabataran. In the 1952 book version, Bhabataran is called Chintaharan.
First one placed outside the 72 Banamali Nashkar Lane mess. Backdrop : South Kolkata Lake.
First and only story where our hero or his predecessors have no role to play.
First with a prominent female character.
First Ghanada aimed at mature readers.
First instance (of several) where we’ll beg you to help us with info, pix etc.
Robinson Crusoe Meye Chhilen-s first appearance is unknown.
Obviously it was before being added to the anthology Premendra Mitrer Sreshtho Gawlpo in 1952. Can anyone give us a clue ?
Treated more often as a neutral short story, than part of the Ghanada oeuvre, this amazing tale slipped between the covers of several Premendra anthologies.
None illustrated unfortunately
Tupi
(Hat), 1952
First Published: 1952, Parashmani, Dev Sahitya Kutir Puja annual
Illustrations: Protul Chandra Bandyopadhyay
First featured in the book: Ghanadar Gawlpo, 1956
Illustrations: Ajit Gupta
Tupi from the Puja annual Parashmani (1952)
Artist: Protul Chandra Bandyopadhyay
The mess’ address was first mentioned in Tupi: 72 Banamali Nashkar Lane
Fun to compare the two off-beat Abominable Snowmen who meet our adorable showman, six years before Tintin does.
Tupi from Ghanadar Gawlpo (1956, 1986)
Artist: Ajit Gupta
Tupi from Ghanada Choturmukh (1968), Awphuronto Ghanada (1976)
Artist: Ajit Gupta
From Ek Jaahaaj Gawlpo – Moyurponkhi (1968)
Publisher: Vidyoday Library
Artist: Surya Roy
Ghanadar Baachhaai Gawlpo (1992)
Publisher: Sarkar and Co.
Artist: Dilip Das
From English & Hindi translations
Artist: Subir Roy, Ajit Gupta
Laattu
(Top), 1952
First Published: 1952, Tapoban, Sarat Sahitya Bhaban Puja annual
Illustrations: Unknown
First featured in the book: Ghanadar Gawlpo, 1956
Illustrations: Ajit Gupta
Laattu from the Puja annual Tapoban (1952)
Artist: Unknown
Headpiece by an unknown artist is the only graphic from the final Ghanada story featured in a Sarat Sahitya Bhaban annual
Tupi from Ghanadar Gawlpo (1956, 1986)
Artist: Ajit Gupta
Laattu from Ghanada Choturmukh (1968), Awphuronto Ghanada (1976)
Artist: Ajit Gupta
From Heere Moti Paanna (1978)
Publisher: Annapurna Prakashani
Artist: Unknown
Ghanadar Baachhaai Gawlpo (1992)
Publisher: Sarkar and Co.
Artist: Dilip Das
From English & Hindi translations
Artist: Subir Roy, Ajit Gupta
Dada
(Elder Brother), 1953
First Published : 1953, ‘Bashudhaara’, Dev Sahitya Kutir Puja annual
Illustrations : Protul Chandra Bandyopadhyay
First featured in the book: Adwitiyo Ghanada, 1959
Illustrations: Ajit Gupta
Protul Chandra & Ajit Gupta’s representation of our hero’s so-called elder brother, who occupies the roof-top room in his absence.
Laattu from Ghanada Choturmukh (1968), Awphuronto Ghanada (1976)
Artist: Ajit Gupta
From Heere Moti Paanna (1978)
Publisher: Annapurna Prakashani
Artist: Unknown
Ghanadar Baachhaai Gawlpo (1992)
Publisher: Sarkar and Co.
Artist: Dilip Das
From English & Hindi translations
Artist: Subir Roy, Ajit Gupta
Phuto
(Hole), 1954
First Published: 1954, Indradhanu, Dev Sahitya Kutir Puja annual
Illustrations: Protul Chandra Bandyopadhyay
First featured in the book: Adwitiyo Ghanada, 1959
Illustrations: Ajit Gupta
Phuto from the Puja annual Indradhanu (1954)
Artist: Protul Chandra Bandyopadhyay
Phuto from Adwitiyo Ghanada (1959, 1988)
Artist: Ajit Gupta
Phuto from Awphuronto Ghanada (1976)
Artist: Ajit Gupta
From English translation
Artist: Subir Roy
Dnaat
(Teeth), 1955
First Published: 1955, Debaalay, Dev Sahitya Kutir Puja annual
Illustrations: Protul Chandra Bandyopadhyay
First featured in the book: Adwitiyo Ghanada, 1959
Illustrations: Ajit Gupta
The Dev Sahitya Kutir Puja annual of 1956 carried the poem Ghanaar Bawchon, instead of a story.
In both Phuto & Dnaat Protul Chandra’s adventurer Ghanashyam wore specs even in the flashback sequences.
Dnaat from the Puja annual Debaalay (1955)
Artist: Protul Chandra Bandyopadhyay
Dnaat from Adwitiyo Ghanada (1959, 1988)
Artist: Ajit Gupta
Dnaat from Awphuronto Ghanada (1976)
Artist: Ajit Gupta
Also see Shuto, 1958
Hnaash
(Duck), 1957
First Published: 1957, Nawbopotrikaa, Dev Sahitya Kutir Puja annual
Illustrations: Protul Chandra Bandyopadhyay
First featured in the book: Adwitiyo Ghanada, 1959
Illustrations: Ajit Gupta
Hnaash from the Puja annual
Nawbopotrikaa (1957)
Artist: Protul Chandra Bandyopadhyay
Hnaash from Awphuronto Ghanada (1976)
Artist: Ajit Gupta
A new listener joins the gang of four. Bapi Dutta also crops up in Shuto
Our hero disguised as a ‘Dokpa’ or Tibetan herdsman
Same situation. Same artist. Different sketches.
Illustrator: Dilip Das
Hnaash from Adwitiyo Ghanada (1959, 1988)
Artist: Ajit Gupta
From an English translation
Artist: Subir Roy
From Ek Jaahaaj Gawlpo – Mawkormukhi (1969)
Publisher: Vidyoday Library
Artist: Surya Roy
Ghanadar Baachhaai Gawlpo (1992)
Publisher: Sarkar and Co.
Artist: Dilip Das
Bhanumatir Baagh (2002)
Publisher: Nirmal Book Agency
Artist: Dilip Das
Ad for
Ek Jaahaaj Gawlpo
Shuto
(Thread), 1958
Aparaajitaa, Deb Sahitya Kutir Puja annual. Cover: Protul Chandra Bandyopadhyay
First Published : 1958, Aparaajitaa, Dev Sahitya Kutir Puja annual
Illustrations: Protul Chandra Bandyopadhyay
First featured in the book: Adwitiyo Ghanada, 1959
Illustrations: Ajit Gupta
Shuto from the Puja annual Aparaajitaa (1958)
Artist: Protul Chandra Bandyopadhyay
Shuto from Adwitiyo Ghanada (1959, 1988)
Artist: Ajit Gupta
Shuto from Awphuronto Ghanada (1976)
Artist: Ajit Gupta
Shishi
(Phial), 1959
First Published: 1959, Dol Yaatra, Deb Deul, Dev Sahitya Kutir annual
Illustrations: Balaibandhu Roy
First featured in the book: Aabaar Ghanada, 1963
Illustrations: Ajit Gupta
Shishi from the annual Deb Deul (1959)
Artist: Balaibandhu Roy
In his two ventures, Balaibandhu Roy followed the Protul-pattern of realistic illustrations, probably to maintain the Dev Sahitya Kutir Ghanada tradition of the last decade.
Ghanashyam caught between a revolver and a double-barrel.
Shishi from Aabaar Ghanada (1963, 2003)
Artist: Ajit Gupta
Shishi from Awphuronto Ghanada (1976)
Artist: Ajit Gupta
From Chhotoder Omnibus (1974) by Premendra Mitra
Artist: Unknown
From English & Hindi translations
Artist: Subir Roy, Ajit Gupta
