Memorable Stories from Anandamela: Part I

I have been a regular reader of the bengali youth magazine, Anandamela from July 1991. The first issue that I subscribed to had the coverstory "ফরেন্সিক তদন্ত" or Forensic Investigation. At that time, Anandamela used to be a fortnightly magazine. Later, it changed to weekly for a small time and then to the current monthly status. Till 2007 (the year I left for US), I had all the individual "Anandamela"s from the beginning of my subscription.  I still remember some of my favorite stories from Anandamela. I'll try to make a list of them here:

1) Gabu . Writer: Dulendra Bhowmick, Date: 1991

Gabu, a teenager, had a voracious appetite. He used to be hired by marriage parties (specially the people from the bride's family) to take revenge on their in-laws (for demanding huge dowry). Gabu would start with around 50 luchi, followed by about 10 kg goat and 100 rasgullas. He would even do a warm-up by the river to enhance his hunger. This story has the typical Bhowmick characteristics, a comedy with a slightly sour ending. When I re-read this story, sometimes in the last decade, this story made me nostalgic for a different reason. In the early 90s, catering business was not so well established in semi-rural West Bengal. The "parar-chelera" used to serve all the food to the guests. This trend started declining in the late 90s when professional catering became a social status symbol. I do not think anybody tries any other avenues these days.

2) Jibontolar Mati. Writer: Shibayan Ghosh, Date: 1991

A story of two siblings, staying as refugees in the Barasat area. This story brought tears to my eyes back in '91. Even when I read it later, I was moved.

3) Cycle. Writer: (Don't remember), Date: 1991

A story of how an elder brother taught his sibling to drive a bicycle. Almost everybody will be able to relate their own corresponding personal experiences with this story.

4) Gagansundar. Writer: Shibayan Ghosh, Date 1991

This was published as a "Sampurno Upanyas" (a novel completed in two issues of the magazine). It tells the story of a boy named Gagansundar, who, due to his father's professional requirements, had to move from the familier life in Kolkata to rural West Bengal. His classmates used to make fun of his unusual name, his dark skin complexion and his cross-eyed face. How he overcame those formed the crux of the story.

5) Goenda Tatar er Tritiyo Obhijan, Writer: Sastipada Chattopadhyay, Date 1991

This was also published as a "Sampurno Upanyas". A typical Sastipada thriller, where a not-so-subtle romantic inkling is played between two characters. Not a great story at all, but love it just for the nostalgia.

6) Ma Aschen, Writer: Atin Bandopadhyay. Date: 1992

In September 1992, Anandamela organized a Puja Special issue, where 10 different stories of different genre were published. There were thrillers, Sci-fi, fairy-tales as well as, some simple heart-melting stories. Ma Aschen, literally meaning "Arrival of mother" was one of them. The story deals with an young boy who stays with his dad in rural Bengal. His mother works in Kolkata and rarely visits them. She has notified that she'll come for a vacation during Durga Puja. This story revolves around the particular day she's supposed to arrive at home. The anticipation of the young boy, how he roams around and tells everyone he meets that his mom's going to come home -- simply magical. This is one of the most beautiful short stories I have ever read in Anandamela.

7) Kopaler nam Gopal, Writer: Ashapurna Debi. Date: 1993

Two cousins went to fair and bought lottery tickets. The first prize -- a brand new cycle. Will any of them win it? This story again deals with the simple joys of life that are visibly absent in the so-called "thrillers" published in present day Anandamela.

 So long for the day. I will dig into my brain and try to compile more such lists.