Galpasamagra 1 by Dibyendu Palit [Hardcover]

In modern Bengali short fiction, Dibyendu Palit is a name that commands deep respect and admiration. One of the foremost storytellers in Bengali literature, he is not only known by this identity; in fact, he is the initiator of a distinct tradition within Bengali short stories. This distinctiveness is evident in the variety of his subjects, the breadth of his experiences, and his completely unique style of writing. Sometimes deep, sometimes seemingly trivial, and sometimes emerging from experiences that are almost unfamiliar to us—any event in his stories is presented with an unexpected and different significance. His use of rich language, flawless dialogues, and intelligent moderation create a perfect construction in every story.

Spanning over four decades, Dibyendu Palit's journey in storytelling and experimentation has never remained stagnant. It has continuously evolved from one phase to another, introducing new surprises along the way. Stories from his early phase, such as "Shit-Grishmer Smriti" (Memories of Winter and Summer), "Shokshobha" (The Memorial Service), "Munni'r Shonge Kichu Kshan" (A Few Moments with Munni), "Mahadasha" (The Great Era), "Dant" (Teeth), "Manusher Mukh" (The Face of Man), "Trespassers", "Marie Jaoya" (Crossing Over)—in their brilliance, they enthrall us, leading us to a more mature phase marked by stories like "Ekti Mandir-er Janma O Mrityu" (Birth and Death of a Temple), "Gondher Abirbhav" (The Arrival of Fragrance), "Ruth", "Gupto Biplob" (The Secret Revolution), "Mukabhinoy" (Mime), "Seemana" (The Boundary), "Gali" (Alley), "Kach" (Glass), "Khela" (The Game), "Chhagol Bishoye Du-Chor Katha" (A Few Words About Goats), etc.

The themes, settings, or underlying thoughts in these stories are radically different from one another—so much so that it leaves one wondering if all these works could indeed be by the same writer. What's even more astonishing is that after this, we are presented with yet another phase—almost in a sequence—where we encounter unforgettable stories such as "Almer Nijer Bari" (Almer's Own Home), "Abirbhav" (The Emergence), "Shadhuchoron" (Sadhucharon), "Bivek" (Conscience), "Je Nei" (The One Who Is Not), "Jatiyo Pataka" (The National Flag), "Mukhguli" (Faces), "Gadh Niruddeshe" (In Deep Disappearance), "Brazil", "Atmaroksha" (Self-Defense), "Sonar Ghodi" (The Golden Watch), "Gavaskar", "Pet" (Belly), "Trata" (The Savior), "Hindu", "Mother Teresa'r Janma O Mrityu" (The Birth and Death of Mother Teresa), "Antara" (The Inner Self), "Samporko" (Relationship), and many other unforgettable tales—each unparalleled in terms of experience, diversity, and narrative success.

This unique and invaluable collection, "Galposamagra" (The Complete Collection of Stories), has been meticulously compiled, encompassing all of Dibyendu Palit's stories published so far, from the first story printed in 1361 (Bengali year) to the present. The first volume of this comprehensive collection contains 82 stories published over the first twenty-four years of his career.