Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay


Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay was an Indian Bengali-language writer. He was actively involved with Bengali cinema as well as Bollywood. The creator of the Bengali detective Byomkesh Bakshi, Sharadindu composed stories of a wide array of varieties including: novels, short stories, crime and detective stories, plays and screenplays. He wrote historical fiction like Kaler Mandira, Gourmollar, Tumi Sandhyar Megh, Tungabhadrar Teere, Chuya-Chandan, Maru O Sangha, Sadashib series and stories of the unnatural with the recurring character Baroda. Besides, he composed many songs and poems.

Personal life and education

He was born to Tarabhushan and Bijaliprabha Bandyopadhyay at his maternal grandparents' home in Jaunpur, United Province, India on 30 March 1899. The Bandyopadhyay family's residence was at Purnia, Bihar, India, where his father worked but the family originally hailed from Baranagar, North Kolkata, West Bengal, India. He completed his matriculation in 1915 from a school in Munger, in Bihar. He wrote his first story 'Pretpuri', a Boroda story, when he was only 15 years. After matriculation, he joined the Vidyasagar College, Kolkata. Sisir Bhaduri, the doyen of Bengali stage, was his English professor there. After completing graduation, he went on to study law in Patna. He was only thirty years old when he gave up his practice and started working as a writer. In 1928, Himangshu Roy invited him to Bombay to write screenplays. Till 1952 he wrote films, and then settled down in Pune to pursue a full-fledged career as a writer.

Characters

Byomkesh Bakshi

Byomkesh Bakshi is a detective who calls himself Satyanweshi or the truth-seeker. He is known for his proficiency with observation, logical reasoning, and forensic science which he uses to solve complicated cases, usually murders.

Boroda

Boroda is a ghost-chaser, obsessed with life-after death and in writer's words Bhootanweshi. Like the Mejokorta of Premendra Mitra, he has direct interactions with ghosts. He recounts his many encounters with spirits much to the chagrin of his friends. In Byomkesh O Boroda, the two characters met each other. This series of short stories provide great examples of spine-chilling atmosphere and last-minute twists. The list of stories in chronological order:
  1. Pretpuri – 1915
  2. Rokto Khoddot – 1929
  3. Tiktiki'r Dim – 1929
  4. Moron Bhomra – 1932
  5. Ashareeri – 1933
  6. Sobuj Chosma – 1933
  7. Moron Dol - 1934
  8. Bohurupi – 1937
  9. Protidhwoni – 1938
  10. Akashbani – 1946
  11. Dehantor – 1949
  12. Nilkar – 1958
  13. Malkosh – 1962

Sadashib

Sadashib, or Sadashib Rao, is a fictional character of a young lad starring in a series of short stories of Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay. The protagonist of the series Sadashib is a Marathi soldier hailing from the village Dongarhpur. This character was created with the backdrop of 16th century Maharashtra when the Maratha-Adil Shah-Mughal antipathy was at its pinnacle. The conflict of Chhatrapati Shivaji and Aurangzeb provided the series with its own distinctive plot.

Background

As per the pretext of the series, the Mughals were residing on Daulatabad north of Maharashtra and Sultan Adil Shah was in the charge of Bijapur fort in the south. Although at the time of the story's beginning the forces of Shivaji had not yet earned the total trust of entire mass, they were on the rise to end the daily oppression of the simple villagers and the common people in the hands of the tyrant rulers. During this time Sadashib, an orphan boy of around seventeen to eighteen was growing up in his maternal uncle's house in the village Dongarhpur with his uncle and aunt who strongly despised him. One day, his maternal uncle Sakharam decides to throw him out of his home after consulting with the villages head and other elders citing the reason that he is unable to provide sustenance to his household in the time of war and crisis. Sadashiv, who has nobody in the village to turn to leaves, but his friend Kumkum, the daughter of village elder Biththal Patil, advises him to go and join Shivaji's troops. Later, Kumkum helps him escape on the ailing horse of her father. Sadashiv sets course for Puna, but he encounters Shivaji's forces en route, eventually helps them unknowingly. They take him to Torna, where Shivaji was camping and he joins Shivaji's force and gets popular by the day on the merit of his young as well as cunning stature. In the passage of time, he becomes the go-to-man of Shivaji and helps to tide him over of different problems.

List of Novels in Sadashib series

Source: Dey, Anindita

Characters

Sadashib – Protagonist of the series, an orphan boy of around seventeen dwelling in the village Dongarhpur on the Paschim ghat mountain range with his maternal uncle Sakharam. He is driven out of the village by his uncle and soon after he joins Shivaji's forces and becomes one of his loyal soldiers.Kumkum/Kunku – Daughter of village elder Biththal Patil and Sadashib's childhood friend, his only well-wisher in the village. It is on her advice that Sadashiv sets out to join Shivaji's forces. After the first story of the series, they again meet each other in the story, 'Sadashiber Hoi Hoi Kando'.Shivaji – The national hero of Maharashtra, but during the narration of the stories he was considered as a bandit by the commoners.Shahji Bhonsle – One of the feudal lords of Bijapur, Shivaji's father.Jijabai – Shivaji's mother and the wife of Shahji Bhonsle. She is the prime inspiration behind Shivaji's long-cherished dreams of an independent Maharashtra. She takes care of Sadashib as her own son.Tanaji – Tanaji Malsare, Shivaji's minister and childhood companion.Jesaji – Jesaji Kank, another childhood pal and minister of Shivaji.Ratnaji – Shivaji's childhood friend and the spy of him. Disguised as a foot soldier of Bijapur.Sakharam – The miser and heartless uncle of Sadashib whom he strongly despises.Biththal Patil – One of the village elders of Sadashib's native village and Kumkum's father. Sadashb stole his ailing horse when he was escaping the village.

Incomplete Stories

Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay was advised and motivated to write about Shivaji through the view of a young soldier by his friend and fellow author, Rajshekhar Basu. There were four more drafts or incomplete stories obtained from Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay's notebook, which are —
  • Sadashiber Roktarokti Kando
  • Sadashiber Kelenkari Kando
  • Sadashiber Bidghute Kando
  • Sadashiber Mahamari Kando
It is understood that he wanted to script the entire history of Shivaji's rise to the behest of glory and success through this series, but he could not finish them due to his untimely death in 1970.

Adaptations

  • The five Sadashib Stories have been translated into English by Sreejata Gupta in the book 'Band of Soldiers: A Year on the Road with Shivaji'.
  • Sadashib was adapted as comics in the 1980s for the Anandamela edited by Nirendranath Chakravarty, illustrated by Bimal Das and adapted by Tarun Majumdar.
  • Radio play by Akashbani.
  • The Sunday Suspense series of 98.3 Radio Mirchi adapted all the Sadashib stories, portraying RJ Somak as the protagonist.

Byomkesh Bakshi

  1. 1932 Pother Kanta aka The Gramophone Pin Mystery
  2. 1932 Satyanweshi aka The Truth-Seeker
  3. 1932 Seemanto-Heera aka The Hidden Heirloom
  4. 1933 Makorshar Rosh aka The Venom of the Tarantula
  5. 1933 Arthamanartham aka Where There's a Will
  6. 1933 Chorabali aka Quicksand
  7. 1935 Agnibaan aka Calamity Strikes
  8. 1935 Uposonghaar aka An Encore for Byomkesh
  9. 1936 Raktomukhi Neela aka The Bloody Sapphire
  10. 1936 Byomkesh O Boroda aka Byomkesh and Barada
  11. 1951 Chitrachor aka Picture Imperfect
  12. 1952 Durgo Rahasya The Mystery of the Fortress
  13. 1953 Chiriyakhana aka The Menagerie
  14. 1955 Adim Ripu aka The Ancient Enemy.
  15. 1956 Banhi-patanga aka Flame and Moth
  16. 1956 Rokter Daag
  17. 1958 Monimondon aka The Jewel Case
  18. 1959 Amriter Mrityu aka The Death of Amrito
  19. 1959 Shailo Rahasya aka Phantom Client
  20. 1960 Achin Pakhi aka The Avenger
  21. 1961 Kohen Kobi Kalidas aka Thus spoke Kavi Kalidasa
  22. 1961 Adrishyo Trikon aka The Invisible Triangle
  23. 1961 Khunji Khunji Nari aka The Case of the Missing Will
  24. 1961 Adwitiyo
  25. 1963 Mognomoinak aka The Secret Berg
  26. 1963 Dushtochokro aka The Crooked Circle
  27. 1964 Henyalir Chhondo aka The Rhythm of Riddles
  28. 1964 Room Nombor Dui aka Room Number 2
  29. 1965 Chholonar Chhondo aka Man in a Red Coat
  30. 1967 Shajarur Kanta aka The Quills of the Porcupine
  31. 1968 Benishonghar aka The Killing of Beni
  32. 1969 Lohar Biskut aka Iron Biscuits
  33. ''1970 Bishupal Bodh ''

Sadashib

  1. Sadashiber Adikando
  2. Sadashiber Agnikando
  3. Sadashiber Dourodouri Kando
  4. Sadashiber Hoi-Hoi Kando
  5. ''Sadashiber Ghora-Ghora Kando''

Historical Fiction

'Among contemporary writers of Bengali – nobody could write a historical fiction quite like him. Who can create that atmosphere, who else has the wit and humour...his prose had a different taste altogether – I am rather fond of it...' that's what Sunil Gangopadhyay said about Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay regarding his historical novels and stories. Set in different periods of Indian history, right from the Pre-Aryan days to the Gupta, Mauryan era till the age of the Mughals – they are a unique blend of scintillating twists and turns, of romance, adventure and revenge, characters brought to life by a unique idiom and vocabulary to suit the ethos of that bygone era.
Saradindu himself said – 'My stories are not fictionalised history, they are historical fiction.' Since the writer spent the latter half of his life in Maharashtra, Pune and the Western Ghats form a picturesque backdrop to quite a few of his stories, many of which narrate tales of the Maratha hero, Chhatrapati Shivaji.Sadashib seriesKaler Mandira GaurMallar Tumi Sandhyar Megh Kumarsambhaber Kabi Tungabhadrar Teere Jhinder Bondi Rajodrohee

Short stories

Jathismar Chuya-Chandan BishKonya Sada Prithibi Emon Dine ShankhaKankan Kortar Kirti Timingil Protidwondee Adim Nrityo Kutub Shirshe Vendeta Mone Mone Jhi Toothbrush Arob Sagorer Rosikota Premik Roopkotha GronthiRohosyo Bhutor Chondrobindu SondehoJonok Byapar Sekalini Asomapto Mukhos Poriksha Vokti Vajon Bohu Bighnani Pagjotish Raktakhadyot Amitabha Biryashulka Tikimedh Mritpradeep Moktar Bhoot Tandraharan Andhakarey Nakhadarpan Nandangarh RahasyaMadhu Malati Kamini Kalo Morog Chhuri Choto Karta Bhoot Bhabishyat Aangti Doibaat Laal Panja Shunyo Shudhu Shunyo Noi Swami Chopetanondo Pintu

Long Stories

Dadar Kirti

Collections

Sharadindu Omnibus .

Filmography

Screenplay:Bhabhi directed by Franz Osten for Bombay Talkies, with story by Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay. Based on the short story "Bisher Dhoan".Vachan directed by Franz Osten for Bombay Talkies.Durga Kangan Navjeevan Azad Jhinder Bandi —Directed by Tapan Sinha is based on a recreation of Prisoner of Zenda written by Anthony Hope. This novel is categorised as one of Sharadindu's romantic novels.Chiriyakhana —Directed by Satyajit Ray is based on one of the most intricate detective novels ever written in Bengali, featuring Uttam Kumar as the supersleuth Byomkesh Bakshi.

TV series based on his writings

Byomkesh Bakshi (TV series) – A Hindi TV series based on Byomkesh Bakshi directed by Basu Chatterjee made for DD National. The series stars Rajit Kapur as Byomkesh Bakshi, K.K. Raina as Ajit Bandyopadhyay and Sukanya Kulkarni as Satyavati. The series had two season. First season aired in 1993 and the second season in 1997.Byomkesh – A Bengali crime drama television series based on the Byomkesh Bakshi made for Colors Bangla channel. The series stars Gaurav Chakrabarty, Saugata Bandyopadhyay and Ridhima Ghosh as Byomkesh Bakshi, Ajit and Satyabati respectively.

Films based on his writings

Bengali

Jhinder Bandi — Directed by Tapan Sinha and produced by B. N. Roy Productions. It starred Uttam Kumar in dual roles, alongside Soumitra Chatterjee and Arundhati Devi in another leads.Rajodrohi — Directed by Niren Lahiri, it also starred Uttam Kumar with Anjana Bhowmick in lead roles.Shajarur Kanta —Directed by actress-turned-director Manju Dey and produced by Star Productions was the second film of the Bakshi series. Satindra Bhattacharya replaced Uttam Kumar as Bakshi while Shailen Mukherjee reprised his role as Ajit.Dadar Kirti —Directed by Tarun Majumdar. This full-length feature is based on a novel of the same name.Meghmukti —Directed by Tarun Majumdar. This full-length feature is based on a short-story of named Kortar Kirti.Magno Mainak —Directed by Swapan Ghoshal who also directed the two Bengali TV series on the sleuth. The film is featuring several TV actors. TV actor Shuvrajit Dutta is playing Bakshi.Byomkesh Bakshi —Directed by Anjan Dutt. This movie is based on the story Adim Ripu . Abir Chatterjee plays Byomkesh Bakshi while Saswata Chatterjee plays Ajit. Swastika Mukherjee plays Shiuli the bar dancer and Chandan Sen plays arms dealer Batul. Dutta plans to make a trilogy.Abar Byomkesh —Directed by Anjan Dutt. This movie is based on the story Chitrachor . This series is expected to be followed by Kohen Kobi Kalidas.Maya Bazaar – Directed by Joydeep Ghosh. It is an anthology film containing three short films. Two of them were based on two short stories by Bandyopadhyay. Jekhane Bhooter Bhoy, a film directed by Sandip Ray, is based on three separate stories, the last one being Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay's 'Bhoot Bhabishyat', starring Saswata Chatterjee and Paran Banerjee in lead roles.Satyanweshi, the last film directed by Rituparno Ghosh and released in 2013, is based on the story "Chorabali" . Sujoy Ghosh played the role of Byomkesh, with Anindya Chattopadhyay as Ajit.

Hindi

Trishagni is a film directed by Nabendu Ghosh, based on Sharadindu's historical short story Moru O Sangho.Detective Byomkesh Bakshi directed by Dibakar Banerjee. The lead role is played by Sushant Singh Rajput and the film is set in 1942.