Parasuram Golpo Samagra is a collection of 99 short stories by the Bengali author Rajshekhar Basu. The stories were first published in Bengali magazines between 1913 and 1938, and were later compiled into a single volume in 1941. The book is considered to be one of the most important collections of Bengali short stories, and has been translated into several languages, including English, Hindi, and Marathi.
The stories in Parasuram Golpo Samagra are known for their humor, satire, and social commentary. Basu often used his stories to poke fun at the hypocrisy and bureaucracy of Bengali society. He also wrote about the lives of ordinary people, and showed how they were often exploited by the rich and powerful.
The stories in Parasuram Golpo Samagra are still enjoyed by readers today. They are a valuable historical record of Bengali society in the early 20th century, and they continue to offer insights into the human condition.
Key Features
Humorous, satirical, and socially conscious stories
Insightful portrayals of ordinary people
Historical record of Bengali society in the early 20th century
Translated into several languages
Popular Stories
"Gaddho" (The Donkey) is a story about a donkey who is tricked into believing that he is a god. The story is a satire of religious hypocrisy.
"Kabar" (The Tomb) is a story about a man who is haunted by the ghost of his dead wife. The story is a psychological thriller.
"Babu Moshai" (Mr. Babu) is a story about a wealthy Bengali businessman who is obsessed with status and appearances. The story is a scathing indictment of social class inequality.
"Parasuram" (The Axeman) is the title story of the collection. It is a story about a man who uses his axe to solve all of his problems. The story is a dark comedy.
"Chhelebela" (Childhood) is a story about a young boy who grows up in a poor family. The story is a heartwarming tale of hope and resilience.
Reception
Parasuram Golpo Samagra was praised by critics for its humor, satire, and social commentary. Rabindranath Tagore, the Nobel Prize-winning Bengali poet and author, called the book "a treasure trove of wit and wisdom."
The book has been translated into several languages, including English, Hindi, and Marathi. It has been adapted into several films and television shows.
About the Author
Rajshekhar Basu (1880-1960) was a Bengali author, chemist, and lexicographer. He was chiefly known for his comic and satirical short stories, and is considered the greatest Bengali humorist of the 20th century.
Basu was born in Bardhaman, West Bengal, India. He studied chemistry at the University of Calcutta and Presidency University, and later worked as a chemist in the Indian Railways. In his spare time, he began writing short stories, which he published in Bengali magazines.
Basu's first book of stories, Gaddalika, was published in 1924. It was a collection of humorous stories that poked fun at the hypocrisy and bureaucracy of Bengali society. The book was a success, and Basu went on to write over 100 short stories.
In addition to his short stories, Basu also wrote a number of novels, plays, and essays. He also compiled a monolingual Bengali dictionary, Chalantika, which is still in use today.
Basu was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian honor, in 1956. He died in Kolkata, India, in 1960.
Here are some of Basu's most famous works:
Parasuram Golpo Samagra (1941)
Gaddho (1924)
Kabar (1927)
Babu Moshai (1931)
Parasuram (1938)
Chhelebela (1940)
Basu's work is still enjoyed by readers today. His stories are a valuable historical record of Bengali society in the early 20th century, and they continue to offer insights into the human condition.
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