Novels & Novellas
The first novel 'Shurjo Knaadley Shonaa' is also the longest.
Along with the two novellas, this featured the historical exploits of Das' ancestors.
The other novels are Ghanashyam's own escapades.
1966 - Toshyo Toshyo Awthobaa Agra Jedin Tawlomawl / Agra Jawkhon Tawlomawl [Novella]
1967/ Earlier - Das Holen Ghanada [Novella]
1967-1968 - Toshyo Toshyo Awthobaa Shurjo Knaadley Shonaa / Shurjo Knaadley Shonaa [Novel]
1972 - Mongolgrohey Ghanada [Novel]
1978 - Tel Deben Ghanada [Novel]
1986 - Mandhatar Tope O Ghanada [Novel]
'Toshyo Toshyo Awthobaa Agra Jedin Tawlomawl' /
'Agra Jawkhon Tawlomawl' ('When Agra Trembled'), 1966
The Prisoner of Agra
. First history-based novella on Ghanashyam's predecessor.
Bachanram helps the captive Shivaji escape from Agra (1666).
. The 1966 'Amrito' Puja annual published it as
'Toshyo Toshyo Awthobaa Agra Jedin Tawlomawl'.
Two years later, the book re-christened it
'Agra Jawkhon Tawlomawl'.
. Ajit Gupta's Agra motif.
Bachanram naturally resembles his trademark Ghanashyam.
From 'Shaaradiyo Amrito' 1966. Artist : Subodh Kumar Dasgupta
From 'Shaaradiyo Amrito' 1966. Artist : Subodh Kumar Dasgupta
From 'Shaaradiyo Amrito' 1966. Artist : Subodh Kumar Dasgupta
From 'Shaaradiyo Amrito' 1966. Artist : Subodh Kumar Dasgupta
Opening page of
'Agra Jawkhon Tawlomawl'
From 'Agra Jawkhon Tawlomawl', 1968
Artist : Ajit Gupta
First Published : 1966, 'Shaarodiyo Amrito'
Illustrations : Subodh Kumar Dasgupta
First featured in the book : 'Agra Jawkhon Tawlomawl', 1968
Illustrator : Ajit Gupta
Also featured in the book : 'Ghanada Toshyo Toshyo Omnibus', 1983
Illustrations : None
From 'Agra Jawkhon Tawlomawl', 1968 Artist : Ajit Gupta
From 'Agra Jawkhon Tawlomawl', 1968 Artist : Ajit Gupta
[Click to Enlarge]
'Toshyo Toshyo Awthobaa Agra Jedin Tawlomawl'
From 'Shaarodiyo Amrito', 1966
Artist : Subodh Kumar Dasgupta
'Das Holen Ghanada' ('Thus the Title of 'Das''), 1967 or Earlier
Das Far and Even Further
. First history-based novella of Ghanashyam's ancestor.
Ghanaram invents the first tank in 16th century Mexico
. 'Shurjo Knaadley Shonaa' refers to events of this story,
placing 'Das Holen Ghanada' in / before 1967.
Can anyone tell us where and in which periodical it was first published ?
From 'Agra Jawkhon Tawlomawl', 1968 Artist : Ajit Gupta
From 'Agra Jawkhon Tawlomawl', 1968 Artist : Ajit Gupta
From 'Agra Jawkhon Tawlomawl', 1968 Artist : Ajit Gupta
From 'Agra Jawkhon Tawlomawl', 1968 Artist : Ajit Gupta
Some pages of 'Das Holen Ghanada'
From 'Agra Jawkhon Tawlomawl', 1968
Artist : Ajit Gupta
First Published in : Unknown
First featured in the book : 'Agra Jawkhon Tawlomawl', 1968
Illustrator : Ajit Gupta
Also featured in the book : 'Ghanada Toshyo Toshyo Omnibus', 1983
Illustrations : None
. Ajit Gupta's Aztec motif
[Click to Enlarge]
'Toshyo Toshyo Awthobaa Shurjo Knaadley Shonaa' /
'Shurjo Knaadley Shonaa' ('Golden Tears of the Sun'), 1967 - 1968
Peril in Peru
. Longest Ghanada novel.
. Backdrop : 16th Century Spanish Conquest of Peru.
. Ghanashyambabu relates the deeds of his ancestor Ghanaram to his lake-side audience.
. Serially published as
'Toshyo Toshyo Awthobaa Shurjo Knaadley Shonaa'.
The book version shortened it to 'Shurjo Knaadley Shonaa'.
. Two excellent headpieces by an unknown artist accompanied the 'Amrito' instalments.
First Instalment, 'Amrito', 28th July 1967 Artist : Unknown
First Instalment, 'Amrito', 28th July 1967 Artist : Unknown
First Published : 28th July 1967 - 22nd November 1968, as a serial novel in weekly 'Amrito'
Illustrations : Unknown
First published in book form : 'Shurjo Knaadley Shonaa', 1969
Jacket Design : Ajit Gupta ; No illustrations inside
Also featured in the book : 'Ghanada Toshyo Toshyo Omnibus', 1983
Illustrations : None
[Click to Enlarge]
'Toshyo Toshyo Awthobaa Shurjo Knaadley Shonaa'
Opening page of the First instalment
'Amrito', 28th July 1967
Artist : Unknown
Final Instalment, 'Amrito', 22nd November 1968 Artist : Unknown
Final Instalment, 'Amrito', 22nd November 1968 Artist : Unknown
'Toshyo Toshyo Awthobaa Shurjo Knaadley Shonaa'
Opening page of the Final instalment
'Amrito', 22nd November 1968
Artist : Unknown
'Mongolgrohey Ghanada' ('Ghanada on Mars'), 1972
Martian Marriage Marred...
From the book (1973) Artist : Narayan Debnath
From the book (1973) Artist : Narayan Debnath
From the book (1973) Artist : Narayan Debnath
From the book (1973) Artist : Narayan Debnath
First Published in : 'Ultorath', Kaartik, 1894 Shakabda (1972)
Illustration : Unknown
First published in book form : 'Mongolgrohey Ghanada', 1973
Jacket Design / Illustrations : Narayan Debnath
From the book 'Mongolgrohey Ghanada', 1973
Artist : Narayan Debnath
From 'Brihat Ghanada Shankalan' Artist : Narayan Debnath, Ajit Gupta
From 'Brihat Ghanada Shankalan' Artist : Narayan Debnath, Ajit Gupta
From 'Brihat Ghanada Shankalan' Artist : Narayan Debnath, Ajit Gupta
From 'Brihat Ghanada Shankalan' Artist : Narayan Debnath, Ajit Gupta
'Bhyaala'
'Mongolgrohey Ghanada'
'Byaraajaaley Ghanada'
. This sketch, along with the artist's signature
was horizontally flipped in a later Shoibya edition of the book.
. This one was rotated sidewise
...and finally omitted altogether.
. Changes occured in the 'Brihat Ghanada Shankalan' (1993) version.
Following a set trend [See 'Ghanadar Juri Nei'],
all the Debnath-Ghanashyam faces were replaced with Ajit Gupta ones.
Often the look direction changed in the process.
Besides stock Gupta profiles were sprinkled throughout.
From the book 'Brihat Ghanada Shankalan', 1993
Artist : Narayan Debnath, Ajit Gupta
[Click to Enlarge]
[Click to Enlarge]
[Click to Enlarge]
[Click to Enlarge]
From 'Ghanada Bichitraa (2003)' Artist : Narayan Debnath, Robin Basu
From 'Ghanada Bichitraa (2003)' Artist : Narayan Debnath, Robin Basu
From 'Ghanada Bichitraa (2003)' Artist : Narayan Debnath, Robin Basu
From 'Ghanada Bichitraa (2003)' Artist : Narayan Debnath, Robin Basu
. Further changes in the 2003 edition of 'Ghanada Bichitraa' !
This time Ghanashyam heads by Robin Basu
- inspired by Ajit Gupta -
were superimposed on the original Narayan Debnath ones.
. First juvenile Ghanada novel, relating his own exploits.
. Ghanashyam had his first view of Mars in 'Phuto'.
. Versatile artist Narayan Debnath (1926 - ) had drawn our hero in profile for 'Bhyalaa' (1972).
The 'Mongolgrohey Ghanada' book (1973), and
'Byaraajaaley Ghanada' a few months later,
shows his smart, clean-shaven protagonist very clearly.
From 'Ultorath', Kaartik, 1894 Shakabda Artist : Unknown
From 'Ultorath', Kaartik, 1894 Shakabda Artist : Unknown
From 'Ultorath', Kaartik, 1894 Shakabda
Artist : Unknown
'Tel Deben Ghanada' ('Ghanada : Oil Supplier'), 1978
Oil for All
From 'Anandamela' Puja annual (1978) Artist : Aloke Dhar
From 'Anandamela' Puja annual (1978) Artist : Aloke Dhar
From 'Anandamela' Puja annual (1978) Artist : Aloke Dhar
From 'Anandamela' Puja annual (1978) Artist : Aloke Dhar
First Published in : 'Anandamela' Puja annual, 1978
Illustrations : Aloke Dhar
First published in book form : 'Tel Deben Ghanada', 1979
Jacket Design / Illustrations : Ahibhushan Malik
'Tel Deben Ghanada'
From the 'Anandamela' Puja annual , 1978
Artist : Aloke Dhar
From the book 'Tel Deben Ghanada' Artist : Ahibhushan Malik
From the book 'Tel Deben Ghanada' Artist : Ahibhushan Malik
From the book 'Tel Deben Ghanada' Artist : Ahibhushan Malik
From the book 'Tel Deben Ghanada' Artist : Ahibhushan Malik
From the book 'Tel Deben Ghanada', 1979
Artist : Ahibhushan Malik
Ghanashyam Das by
Aloke Dhar
and
Ahibhushan
Malik
. Second juvenile Ghanada novel.
. Stylized sketches in B/W and colour by Aloke Dhar
decorated the first Ghanada novel published in 'Anandamela'.
Four short stories had already featured
in this periodical's regular issues & annuals.
. A year later, the book version boasted of illustrations by Ahibhushan Malik (1924 - 1986),
in his characteristic cartoonish style.
. In spite of stylistic differences, both
Aloke Dhar and Ahibhushan Malik
seem to have modeled their hero on the Ajit Gupta prototype.
Coelacanth ? Ghana Can.
From 'Anandamela' Puja annual (1986) Artist : Samir Sarkar
From 'Anandamela' Puja annual (1986) Artist : Samir Sarkar
From 'Anandamela' Puja annual (1986) Artist : Samir Sarkar
From 'Anandamela' Puja annual (1986) Artist : Samir Sarkar
First Published in : 'Anandamela' Puja annual, 1986
Illustrations : Samir Sarkar
First published in book form : 'Mandhatar Tope O Ghanada', 1987
Jacket Design / Illustrations : Debasish Deb
'Mandhatar Tope O Ghanada'
From the 'Anandamela' Puja annual , 1986
Artist : Samir Sarkar
From the book 'Mandhatar Tope O Ghanada' Artist : Debasish Deb
From the book 'Mandhatar Tope O Ghanada' Artist : Debasish Deb
From the book 'Mandhatar Tope O Ghanada' Artist : Debasish Deb
From the book 'Mandhatar Tope O Ghanada' Artist : Debasish Deb
From the book
'Mandhatar Tope O Ghanada', 1987
Artist : Debasish Deb
Ghanashyam Das by
Samir Sarkar
and
Debasish Deb
'Mandhatar Tope O Ghanada' ('Ghanada and the Prehistoric Bait'), 1986
. Samir Sarkar (1934 - 2013) & Debasish Deb (1955 - )
gifted us brightly coloured pix of the Loch Ness Monster in 'Anandamela' and the book version respectively.
. Both artists gave our hero a smart, clean-shaven look.
. Final Ghanada novel.
. In spite of his failing vision, Premendra Mitra regularly kept tabs on the latest archaeological and scientific discoveries.
An article on the 'Coelacanth' fish from a Soviet periodical
inspired him to pen his last novel, two years before his death.
From 'Contents' of 'Anandamela' annual, 1986
[Click to Enlarge]
From an article by noted author Kinnar Ray
