The Collected Stories of Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury – Tr. Lopamudra Maitra

Description

The Collected Stories of Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury is a selection of sixty-three stories by a master storyteller (1863–1915). Featuring a vibrant cast of characters—eccentric woodland animals, a motley crew of unusual villagers and townspeople, bewildering ghosts, competitive demons, and gods from Norway and Japan—these stories laced with rib-tickling humour, clever puns, and bizarre situations have entertained young readers for generations.

‘Tuntunir Boi’, the first book in the collection, has twenty-seven stories. These include adventure yarns of the author’s most popular characters like the mischievous tailor bird Tuntuni, the crafty fox Sheyal, the arrogant feline Mawjontali Sarkar, and the fearless farmer Buddhu’s Baap. The second book, ‘Golpomala’, includes some beloved gems—stories of Gupi the singer and Bagha the instrumentalist; of Ghyanghashur, a half-bird, half-beast; of the Japanese gods Izanagi and Izanami; and of a sailor’s extraordinary sea voyage—tales that feature fantastical characters, magical lands, and exhilarating adventures.

Vividly translated by Lopamudra Maitra and sprinkled with illustrations by the author, the stories in this volume will charm and delight readers of all ages.