Author: Dakshinaranjan Mitra Majumdar
Translator(s)/ Editors(s): Sukhendu Ray
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Year: 2012
Language: English
Pages: 150
ISBN/UPC (if available): 0-19-808220-7
Description
Dakshinaranjan Mitra Majumdar was arguably the most well-known and popular writer of children's books in Bengali during the first three decades of the 20th century. His range was wide and varied, his output was prolific, and his metier was in the genre of fairy tales. The jewel in the crown of his large volume work was undoubtedly his Thakurmar Jhuli (Grandma's Bag of Tales). Published circa 107, this book has remained in continuous print since then, adored by children and adults alike. This volume offers a selection of stories from Thakurmar Jhuli.
From Dalim Kumar, the prince who matches his wits against a female demon to save his brothers, to Fox, the Schoolteacher, a wily fox whose evil deeds lead to his downfall, to Neelkamal and Lalkamal, and many more—these fairy tales have been passed down through generations in Bengal.
The book conveys the true spirit of grandmother's yarns, with magic mountains, imaginary birds, and fearsome demons rubbing shoulders with real-life owls, monkeys, snakes, and humans. It will enthrall children and Young adults as also anybody in the mood for a rattling
read.
COMMENT:
Can there be anything more quintessentially indigenous than Tahkurmar Jhuli in our country? In transcribing the oral tales of the grandmothers into printed words, Dakshinaranjan babu has amazingly succeeded in retaining the flavor of the original while managing to keep the tales fresh and evergreen. That he has been able to capture the unique flavor and idiom of the original tales while preserving the simplicity of the narration is a testimony to both his artistic refin4ement as well as his natural creative gift.
- Rabindranath Tagore
Contents
Preface to Thakurmar Jhuli by Rabindranath Tagore
Translator’s Note
Acknowledgements
Introduction by Bharati Ray
Dalim Kumar
Kironmala
Kanchanmala and Kankanmala
Sheet-Bashanta
The Gold Wand and the Silver Wand
Neelkamal and Lalkamal
Sukhu and Dukhu
Princes Kolaboti
Brahman and Brahmani
Monimala
Fox, the Schoolteacher
The Champa Brothers