Rabibar er Galpa by Ananda Bazar Patrika Sangkalan [Hardcover]

"Since its inception in 1922, Anandabazar Patrika has not only played a pioneering role in delivering and analyzing news in the Bengali language but has also been widely recognized for its contribution and significance in the realm of Bengali literature and culture. This role is multifaceted; through publication, patronage, and criticism, Anandabazar Patrika has actively promoted and enhanced literary and cultural excellence. An important aspect of this role is the publication of short stories. From the very beginning, the creations of top-tier short story writers have been regularly published in this newspaper, while promising new creators have also been welcomed with open arms. From Rabindranath Tagore onwards, the short stories of virtually all leading literary figures have been published in this newspaper; Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay being a rare exception. Not only in special issues like the Puja editions but throughout the decades, Anandabazar Patrika has regularly published short stories in the Sunday section. Sunday is not only a day of relaxation but also a day of mental liberation from the daily grind of busy working life. The culturally conscious, tasteful Bengali mind has always sought its nourishment in the realm of creation. The Sunday Anandabazar has consistently strived to meet this demand. The regular publication of short stories stems from this very urge. Daily newspapers quickly become past, but just like other creations published there, short stories do not become past; even as times change, their appeal does not fade. Readers of a new era read old stories with fresh perspectives, finding new meanings in them. Thus, there remains a significance in re-presenting old stories anew. Previously, a collection of stories published in Anandabazar Patrika was released under the name 'Anandasangi.' This time, as the first publication in the new series of Anandasangi, 'Sunday Stories' has been compiled. In terms of publication time, from 1939 to 2004, and considering the age of the writers from Bonoful to Abul Bashar—this collection is a valuable document of the evolution of Bengali short stories from various perspectives. As Taslima Nasrin has said, 'This collection of selected stories published in Anandabazar Patrika spans nearly six decades from 1939 to 2004. A few stories, but at the same time, it is a document of an era. It shows how the way of seeing has gradually changed.' Thus, through this book's mirror, the diverse light and shadow of the human mind in changing times have been captured. This storybook is a unique compilation combining place, time, and characters. In small stories, there is a grand illumination of life."