Ghosts and Others
Uma Chakravarti
GHOST OF GOSAIN BAGAN by Sirshendu Mukhopadhyay. Translated by Nirmal Kanti Bhattacharjee Ponytale Books, 2008, 117 pp., 99
November 2008, volume 32, No 11

Sirshendu Mukhopadhyay is a well known and popular writer in Bengali literature and has numerous books to his credit. He has also made a great contribution towards children’s literature in Bengali. Nirmal Kanti Bhattacharjee has several translations from Bengali to his credit. This is his first translation for children and as far as I know the first children’s book by Sirshendu Mukhopadhyay to be so translated. The language is simple, clear, lucid and facilitates easy reading. It is winningly supplemented with apt and charming illustrations throughout the book.

The story begins with a tongue in cheek dedication—‘to my mother who firmly believes in ghosts’. And continues on to the trials and tribulations of poor Burun who scores respectably in all subjects except mathematics where he gets only thirteen.

It requires courage to firmly assert one’s belief in ghosts. In fact it is more than a question of fearing , or not fearing a ghost. The adored lady to whom this book is dedicated must have been a person who had the courage to assert her faith and her courage in all probability came from her freedom from the fear of ghosts. In fact, the adolescent hero, Burun, is similar. When he did come face to face with a ghost he never questioned its existence.

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