Byomkesh Bakshi1 Byomkesh Bakshi Byomkesh Bakshi (or Byomkesh Baksi) (Bengali: ব্যোমকেশ বক্সী) is a fictional detective in Bengali literature created by Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay. He is one of the most successful detective characters in Bengali literature. Bandyopadhyay once said that these stories can be thought as and read as social novels only. In Bengali, Byomkesh means "the sky". Overview The advocate-turned-littérateur Bandyopadhyay was deeply influenced by Sherlock Holmes[1] of Arthur Conan Doyle, Hercule Poirot of Agatha Christie and Father Brown of G.K.Chesterton as well as the "tales of ratiocination" involving C. Auguste Dupin produced by Edgar Allan Poe. He was, however, concerned with how the Indian and Bengali fictional detectives created between 1890 and 1930 had failed to exist as something other than mere copies of the Western (and particularly English) fictional detectives. The stories of Dinendra Kumar Ray's Robert Blake, Panchkari Dey's Debendra Bijoy Mitra or Swapan Kumar's Deepak Chatterjee were almost always set in London or in Kolkata which was identifiably the British metropolis. It was almost as a postcolonial response that Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay introduced the Bengali "Bhadrolok" (gentleman) sleuth Byomkesh Bakshi and Ajit Bandyopadhyay (Byomkesh's associate and narrator) in Pather Kanta in 1932. He began to write of them as investigating in an Indian metropolis—the capital of British India until 1911—that has had been thoroughly Indianised. Apart from Byomkesh, there are only two other detective characters who can be thought as purely Bengali of that time: Hemendra Kumar Roy's Jayanta [জয়ন্ত] and Nihar Ranjan Gupta’s Kiriti Roy [কিরীটী রায়], though in the view point of complexity and importance of crimes, Byomkesh is much more ahead. Initially serialized in the literary magazine Basumati, the stories and novels were all eventually published in hardcover editions, the first being Byomkesher Diary. In all, Sharadindu wrote 33 stories featuring Byomkesh, one of which remained incomplete due to his death. At first, he wrote in Sadhu Bhasha, but later he preferred Chalit Bhasha while writing Byomkesh. Byomkesh is one of the most popular characters in Bengali literature, along with Feluda of Satyajit Ray, Kakababu of Sunil Gangopadhyay, Parashor Barma and Ghanada of Premendra Mitra and Tenida of Narayan Gangopadhyay. Development Although the story Satyanweshi, in which Byomkesh and Ajit meet for the first time, is often the first story in most Byomkesh anthologies, the first Byomkesh story written was Pother Kanta in 1932, followed by Seemanto-Heera in the same year. Sharadindu started writing the stories regularly. By 1936 he had written ten stories, all of which were published by Calcutta publishers Gurudas Chatterjee and Sons in three collections. Sharadindu stopped writing Byomkesh stories for 15 years, during which time he lived and worked in Bombay, writing screenplays for Bollywood films, including Durga, Kangan and Navjeevan (all 1939). On returning to Calcutta in 1951, Sharadindu began writing Byomkesh stories again after friends asked why he had stopped and published Chitrochor in the same year. He wrote a further 21 stories, including one, Bishupal Bodh, left incomplete by his death in 1970. Meeting with Ajit Byomkesh meets Ajit for the first time in the story Satyanweshi. He initially introduces himself as Atul Mitra to prevent others from knowing his actual motives there. Through a series of complicated events, one of which resulted in him being accidentally arrested by the police on charge of murder, he ultimately unmasks the criminal, which turns out to be the mess owner himself. As a result the mess members are forced to vacate the mess, while Byomkesh takes Ajit to his own mess in Harrison Road, where he entreats him to stay there with him, saying that after living where they go to Munger in Bihar. in all the stories the readers find that Byomkesh single-handedly solves the mysteries. though later we find that he followed Ajit close at heels all the time. while his mother busied herself in reading scriptures. He never discloses the actual specifics of an ongoing case to Ajit until the very end (Amriter Mrityu being one exception). he knows very well that he is indeed one. but if he is cornered. For example. Ajit mentions in Adim Ripu that his father used to be a mathematics teacher in a local school. SharadinduBabu had intended to portray Ajit as a stereotype foil to a super-sleuth. inasmuch as he was busy solving another case concerning some large scale forgery of notes. when Ajit throws some intelligent light on the mystery. while Ajit's narration. in Durgo Rohosyo. perhaps to avoid the negative connotations of professionalism likely to be associated with the term private detective. His relatives never cared to look after him. and dislikes it when people call him a detective. He earned scholarships from universities which enabled him to complete his studies. Occasionally Byomkesh assigns Ajit some role in solving the mystery: in Pother Kanta he lets Ajit go to New Market incognito to procure a letter from an unknown person. he opines that the most spectacular pieces of news in a newspaper lay hidden not under the headlines. Ajit however is unable to solve the case. Personality and Traits In Pother Kanta. it later turns out that what Byomkesh had told was true. or Amriter Mrityu. where they go to Baghmari. This preposterous idea compels a hearty laugh from Byomkesh. Byomkesh isn't interested in keeping any contact with them. much to his chagrin. but in the advertisements. and even naively suggests at one point that the only explanation of NandadulalBabu still managing to intoxicate himself with Tarantula extract is that he devours those roaming on his room-walls. He often quotes Tagore to explain a certain situation to Ajit. however after he had solved it out himself. except a few like in Byomkesh O Baroda. though admittedly it was more due to circumstances precluding him from engaging himself in the case than due to his trust in Ajit's abilities. In Amriter Mrityu he asks Ajit to interrogate a suspect while he busied himself in some other affairs. in the later stories we find that the nonsense poems of Abol Tabol by Sukumar Ray too had attracted his interest. He is an avid reader of Mahabharata which we discover in The Will That Vanished. Ajit writes that Byomkesh. Though his relatives are still living. at least for that story. which prompts him to concede "Can it be that at last you have really developed your faculties!" However. However Ajit insists that even though Byomkesh dislikes the moniker. Byomkesh's opinion about Ajit's intelligence and acumen is somewhat underwhelming. Indeed. Both died of tuberculosis when he was very young. Byomkesh tells the family that it was Ajit who had solved it. and since then they live there along with their devoted servant Puntiram [পুঁটিরাম]. but occasionally drops subtle hints. Relationship with Ajit Ajit narrates all but five of the thirty-three cases which feature Byomkesh. until in Arthonamortham Byomkesh gets married to Satyaboti who henceforth lives there too. which however fail to satisfy the curiosity . Ajit also writes that the outer appearance of Byomkesh won't do much to suggest anything out of the ordinary. he is very surprised. is a bit queer. Ajit consents.Byomkesh Bakshi with him for the last two weeks he would find it difficult to live alone. he let Ajit try to solve the case in his lieu in Makorsar Ros. with only a minor assistance from him. Most of the stories are centered on Kolkata. he comes out of his shell and then his words and actions become something to be reckoned with. He calls himself a ‘’Satyanweshi’’ (the ‘’truth-seeker’’). offers interesting insight into the story. punctuated by his own interpretations of events. leaving him to fend for himself. for all his astuteness and intelligence. 2 Early life Not much is known about Byomkesh's background and early life. Though Ajit refuses to buy this. and can't control an urge to chaff him too. In all these stories he assists and accompanies Byomkesh in his escapades. In Bahnni-Patanga we see that Byomkesh is somewhat perplexed by the seemingly trivial fact that in a painting depicting Dushmanta stealing a glance at Shakuntala. and many a time we find that such a fact proves all important in the solution of the mystery. Based on this fact alone. most of the times he remains at home idling away his time in newspapers and his personal library. however in Seemonto-Heera the boastful and condescending Sir Digindranarayan Roy mentions it while he pretends to make an analysis of Byomkesh's faculties from his appearance only. In Rokter Dag. arguing that the act. He often paces his room relentlessly while cogitating on a mystery. Many times we see that even though he already knows who the culprit is. which we later we find accurate. Byomkesh blandishes him to elicit a thorough description of the entire event. Achin Pakhi perhaps provides the best example of his intuitive skills. In "Arthonamortham". Lohar Biscuit and Shojarur Kanta. In Adim Ripu. Byomkesh keenly focuses on the most quotidian events and facts. the artist had chosen to paint the iris of the latter in blue. Since Byomkesh isn't interested in cases involving petty thefts or murders as they don't provide much space to exercise his intelligence. Byomkesh refrains from doing so on more than one occasion. Although he is supposed to determine the culprit and hand him (or her) to the police. and hence maintains a cordial relation with most police officers. insisting that nothing is unimportant to him. he realises that the perpetrator of the crime in question is none other than the person recounting it. stating that even criminals have a right to freedom on the auspicious day of their nation's freedom (the timeline of the said story coincides with the last phase of Indian independence movement) and concluding that the knowledge of his parentage obviates having him to go through any further punishment. he lets the murderer go scot-free. He repeats this act in Hneyalir Chhondo and Achin Pakhi. this leads to the client stating that just prior to his being attacked. he heard the ringing of a bicycle bell. for example in Arthonamortham. here just in the act listening to an unsolved case as recounted by a retired police officer. works for the greater well and hence he is worthy of pardon. Sharadindu never expresses it explicitly through Ajit. such as in Pather Kanta. he correctly guesses that Sukumar returned from cinema at exactly 12 am. In fact there are very few stories where concrete proof does materialise to help him solve the case. When this doesn't work out. he lets the murderer off on moral grounds. He ascribes this to brilliant criminals being few and far between. though he acquiesces after Byomkesh does solve the case. for example in Chiriyakhana and Benisanghar he gets substantial help from the police. he constructs the entire case. while not acceptable in the eyes of the law. He encourages his clients to state everything they can remember while they recount their experiences. In Pother Kanta. Later this turned out to be the most crucial piece of clue in deciphering the mystery. Ajit visibly is unable to agree with the fact that intuition can supplant material proof.Byomkesh Bakshi of the latter in most cases. 3 Methods of detection In most of the story we find that Byomkesh banks more on instinct and intuition when concrete proof is unavailable. . finding that the officer in charge is adverse to him. consuming endless number of cigarettes. he waits for an opportune moment to catch him flagrante delicto. He knows that sound contribution from the police is essential to solving any case. since Satyanweshi is the novel in which the character of Byomkesh Bakshi is established. Chottopadhyay & Sons. in Physics from Calcutta University. these stories are written in a third person speech. was a pontoon bridge as mentioned by Byomkesh twice in Pother kanta. the narrator is the author himself. Durgo Rahosyo (দুর্গরহস্য) 13. Though. Raktomukhi Neela (রক্তমুখী নীলা) 10. somewhere through the second book of Byomkesh stories. Byomkesh and Ajit spent most of the years Satyanweshi. Interestingly. Agniban (অগ্নিবাণ) 8.e. Rokter Dag (রক্তের দাগ) . Pother Kanta (পথের কাঁটা) 3. Chorabali (চোরাবালি) 7. the bridge spanning the Hooghly river. Sharadindu in an apartment not far from here. construction of which began three years after the publication of the first edition of the novel. • Although most stories are penned by Ajit. it is considered by readers to be the first in the series. published by Gurudas Harrison Road and Strand Road intersection c. This was prior to the current Howrah Bridge. • Byomkesh reads the personal advertisements in a newspaper as if they were the real news. Banhi-Patanga (বহ্নি-পতঙ্গ) 16. he gives up writing Byomkesh's accounts. • Byomkesh's father was a mathematics teacher by profession. 1.Byomkesh Bakshi 4 Trivia • The customs and manners of Calcutta during the British Raj are very well portrayed in the earlier books. • Byomkesh learns to love poetry on reading Sukumar Ray's Abol Tabol. • In the foreword to the first anthologized edition of stories featuring Byomkesh. Arthonamortham (অর্থমনর্থম) 6. Satyanweshi (সত্যান্বেষী) 2. Makorshar Ros (মাকড়সার রস) 5. i. Chitrochor (চিত্রচোর) (later translated as Picture Imperfect) 12. Seemonto-Heera (সীমন্ত হীরা) 4. Bandyopadhyay wrote: "Many will be anxious to know whether these are original stories or merely transcreated from foreign novels. In stories like Pather Kanta. Adim Ripu (আদিম রিপু) 15. cases are partially introduced through the personal advertisement section of the newspaper. Byomkesh O Boroda (ব্যোমকেস ও বরদা) 11. Stories The following list is arranged chronologically of publishing. from street names to the names of the shops. Chiriyakhana (চিড়িয়াখানা) 14. • Byomkesh learned to play chess from Ajit. For the interest of the general reader. Byomkesher diary. a book presented to his son by Ajit. 1945. Uposonghar (উপসংহার) 9.Sc. • Byomkesh received M. Seemanto-Heera and Makorshar Ros. in a few of the last stories.. I'd like to make it known that these are completely my own creations" • Although Pother Kanta was the first novel featuring Byomkesh that Sharadindu wrote. which contained Pother Kanta. Monimondon (মণিমণ্ডন) Amriter Mrityu (অমৃতের মৃত্যু) Shailo Rahosyo (শৈল রহস্য) Achin Pakhi (অচিন পাখি) Kohen Kobi Kalidas (কহেন কবি কালিদাস) Adrishyo Trikon (অদৃশ্য ত্রিকোণ) Khunji Khunji Nari (খুঁজি খুঁজি নারি) Adwitiya (অদ্বিতীয়া) Mognomoinak (মগ্নমৈনাক) Dushtochokro (দুষ্টচক্র) Hneyalir Chhondo (হেঁয়ালির ছন্দ) Room Nombor 2 (রুম নম্বর ২) Chholonar Chhondo (ছলনার ছন্দ) Shojarur Kanata (শজারুর কাঁটা) Benishonghar (বেণীসংহার) Lohar Biscuit (লোহার বিসকুট) Bishupal Bodh (বিশুপাল বধ) 5 The last one. 20.e. 32. 9. Rakhal [রাখাল]: Policeman. 25. 30. He is seen in every story which takes place in Calcutta. 8. i. 7. 4. 5. 23. 28. 6. English rendering of Byomkesh • Picture Imperfect and Other Byomkesh Bakshi Mysteries (Penguin Books) 1. 26. 29. seen in Seemonto-Heera & then in Chorabali. Khoka [খোকা]: Nicknames of Byomkesh's son. Byomkesh saves him from a murder charge in Arthonamortham. 27. 2. 21. who edited Bandyopadhyay's collected works. 6. Puntiram [পুঁটিরাম]: Home servant. as the editor of Mahanagar. 5. Narayan Sanyal once wrote Bishupal Bodh: Uposonghar [বিশুপাল বধ: উপসংহার].Byomkesh Bakshi 17. published it in a Puja issue. Bishupal Bodh is incomplete. Sanyal fulfilled some terms given by Pratul Chandra Gupta. 22. 19. Tridibendra Narayan Roy [ত্রিদিবেন্দ্র নারায়ণ রায়]: Jamindar of a certain territory of North Bengal. The two first meet in Arthonamortham. Samaresh Basu. Sukumar [সুকুমার]: Satyaboti's elder brother. later he is found in Uposonghar. His original name is nowhere mentioned. AnukulBabu [অনুকূলবাবু]: He is first seen as doctor as well as the landlord in Satyanweshi. Satyaboti [সত্যবতী]: Byomkesh's wife. a magazine. 3. 31. 2. Ajit Bandyopadhyay [অজিত বন্দ্যোপাধ্যায়]: Byomkesh's close friend and narrator of most of his stories. 7. Ashwini Ghatak [অশ্বিনী ঘটক]: This doctor is found in Chitrochor & Durgo Rohosyo. 33. 3. The Inquisitor The Gramophone Pin Mystery The Venom of the Tarantula Where There's Will Calamity Strikes An Encore for Byomkesh Picture Imperfect . which is basically a completion of this novel.[2] Regular characters Recurring characters in the Byomkesh series include: 1. 24. 4.. 18. 6.a. Actor Saptarshi Roy has played Bakshi while Ajit and Satyaboti were played by two other lesser-known actors. The series lasted for 33 episodes. 4. Satyaboti was played by Maitreyi Mitra. Byomkesh Bakshi (2004) directed by Swapan Ghoshal was the second television adaptation of the series also aired on Doordarshan. 3. this series also had some of ensemble cast of that time. Uttam Kumar had played the role of Byomkesh Bakshi while Shailen Mukherjee played the character of Ajit. Ajit was played by K. for which he was highly praised. 2. 4. 7. Shajarur Kanta (1974) directed by actress-turned-director Manju Dey and produced by Star Productions was the second film of the Bakshi series. 3. 5. This series was a success. Actor Sudip Mukherjee debuted with the role of Byomkesh Bakshi and got a grand success following Rajit Kapur. The The The The Menagerie Jewel Case Will that Vanished Quills of the Porcupine • The Mystery of the Fortress & Other Stories (New Age Publishers) 1. 4. 2. The invisible Triangle Iron Biscuits The Crooked Circle Thus Spoke Kavi Kalidasa The Mystery of the Fortress Film and TV adaptations 1. 4. Byomkesh (2007) directed by Swapan Ghosal who also directed the previous series for Doordarshan that time he collaborated with Tara Muzik (a private Bengali T. 2. The film was a moderate success.Byomkesh Bakshi • Byomkesh Bakshi Stories (Rupa & Co. In the early 80s Kolkata Doordarshan produced several episodes of Byomkesh Bakshi where Ajoy Ganguly acted as Byomkesh. The film was a huge success with Uttam Kumar as Bakshi bagging his first National Award for the role and director Satyajit Ray receiving a National Award for best direction. 2. Like the Hindi series. This version of series is a bit low-profile unlike . Satindra Bhattacharya replaced Uttam Kumar as Bakshi while Shailen Mukherjee reprised his role as Ajit. V. Raktomukhi Neela (The Deadly Diamond) Seemonto-Heera (The Hidden Heirloom) Achin Pakhi (The Avenger) Shaila Rahasya (The Phantom Client) Chholonar Chhondo (The Man In The Red Coat) Chorabali (Quick Sand) Room Nombor 2 (Room Number 2) 6 • The Menagerie and Other Byomkesh Bakshi Mysteries (Penguin Books) 1. 6. The Zoo (1967) directed by Satyajit Ray and produced by Harendranath Bhattacharjya of Star Productions was the first screen adaptation of the sleuth's cases.) 1. Debdut Ghosh have played the role of Ajit and also accepted by audience.K. 5. The film boasted an ensemble cast of contemporary actors. channel). Chiriyakhana a. Raina and Satyaboti was played by Sukanya Kulkarni who was the first actress to play the character. not being able to attract as large an audience as the first film. 3. Actor Rajit Kapur played the role of Byomkesh Bakshi. Byomkesh Bakshi (1993) directed by Basu Chatterjee was the critically acclaimed television adaptation of the series. 5.k. 3. The film did not run fare. Byomkesh Bakshi is first installment of another Byomkesh-film-trilogy directed by singer-songwriter-actor-director Anjan Dutta and produced by R P Techvision Pvt Ltd. 21 February 2009. Magna-Mainak (2009) directed by Swapan Ghosal again who also directed the two Bengali TV series on the sleuth. including that of Arthonamortham. has had negotiated for the Hindi rights of six Byomkesh Bakshi stories. The series did not get the success. 7 Byomkesh Bakshi episodes (Hindi) The episodes of the TV series which aired on DD 1 Byomkesh Bakshi Season 1 in 1993 and Season 2 in 1997. Chiriyaghar A 14. 10. however. Raaste ki kanta 3. miniseries Feluda 30 (1997–2001). The DVDs of the series was released by Mosearbear again. Kile ka Rahasya 13. The project was. Feluda (played by Sabyasachi Chakraborty) in Baksho Rahashya (film) in 1996 and a T. Chatterjee also played the role of Topse . Like several successful films of Dutta. and Paoli Dam as Satyaboti. Lal neelam 8. The character of Ajit is played by the veteran actor Saswata Chatterjee. shelved.Byomkesh Bakshi its predecedors. Satyanveshi 2. Aadim Shatru A 16. TV actor Shuvrajit Dutta is playing Bakshi. Director Shaibal Mitra had approached the experienced Hindi film actor Naseeruddin Shah for the role of Bakshi in his 60s for a Hindi film adaptation of Shajarur Kanta. Upsanhaar 11. directed by Basu Chatterjee are: 1. Though the director-producer have announced that they will make at least a trilogy on Byomkesh with stories such Bonhi-Potongo and Rokter Dag. Wasiyat 5. many small scale productions have been made by drama organizations throughout West Bengal and Bangladesh. Besides. under the productions of Rose Valleys Motion Pictures. Three of them are going to reprise their roles in the second film. this trilogy is also expected to be enacted by some young and relatively lesser-known actors. Abir Chatterjee plays Bakshi while Ushoshi Chakrabarty plays Satyboti. Reth ka daldal 6. This information was supplied by Malabika Chakroborty. Tapas Paul as Ajit. Aadim Shatru B . In the first film. 9. 11. It was decided that the Bengali film-actor.the juvenile assistant of another Bengali private investigator. Agnivaan 10. Prosenjit Chatterjee would enact Bakshi. 7. The film is featuring several TV actors. Director Rituporno Ghosh announced his intention to make a film-trilogy on Byomkesh. Seemant heera 4. 8. Chiriyaghar B 15. The second film adaption is titled "Abar Byomkesh". Tasveer Chor 12. Bhoot 9.V. Makdi Ka Ras 7. This movie is scheduled be followed by the other two film-adaptations of Chitrochor and Kohen Kobi Kalidas. starting with Arthamanartham. Prabir Chakroborty. the director's wife who has the power of attorney for dealing with Bandopadhyay’s works. a Mumbai-based film director. Coincidentally. to The Times of India. The film was released on 13 August 2010 and turned out to be quite popular with the audience. 32.Byomkesh Bakshi 17. Aag Aur Patanga Vansh Ka Khoon Necklace Amrit Ki Maut Pahadi Rahasya Anjaan Khooni Kahin Kave Kalidas Adrishya Trikon Wasiyat Ka Rahasya Bemisal Balak Jasoos Chakrant Paheli Gatha Kamra No 102 Dhokhadhadi Sahi Ka Kanta Veni Sanhar 8 34. Lohe Ka Biscuit References [1] http:/ / byomkesh. 20. External links • For a complete critical overview of the Byomkesh Bakshi stories.parabaas. 18. 19.com . 30. 31. 27.com/ipatrikaa/sanglap/ SanglapDetail16_8_2004. 22. 26.a fan-site (http://byomkesh.imdb.com/title/tt0157217/) at the Internet Movie Database .asp) • An English translation of a few stories (http://www. • Byomkesh. 25. published by the New Delhi-based Swarup Book Publishers in 2008 (ISBN 978-81-7625-849-4).banglalive.com/bookstore/bookpage/sreejata_picture. with special reference to their postcolonial aspects.com/) • An outline of Bengali fictional detectives (http://www. com/ 2010/ 01/ 17/ byomkesh-v-sherlock/ [2] From the introduction of Kantay Kantay 1 by Sanyal himself. 29. 28. 33. see the Maldah College-Assistant Professor Pinaki Roy's The Manichean Investigators: A Postcolonial and Cultural Rereading of the Sherlock Holmes and Byomkesh Bakshi Stories. 21. 23.html) (ISBN 0-14-028710-8) • Byomekesh Bakshi (http://www. 24. 0/ . Naniwako. Tony Sidaway. Adithyajones. Skier Dude. Kwamikagami. Supten. Chinmay1978.jpg Source: http://en. Closedmouth. LilHelpa. Tabletop. Hammersoft. Vikysaran. Calliopejen1.lahiri. Mandarax. Vivekbhatnagar. N2271.wikipedia. Rishi2184. Sunbad. Tintin1107. Devmallya. Licenses and Contributors Image:Harrison street strand rd ( burra bazar ). Thinking-ape. Anurag online. Ladmabaspo.php?title=File:Harrison_street_strand_rd_(_burra_bazar_). Auny P. Nipon. Purva4u. Chris the speller. Varlaam.Article Sources and Contributors 9 Article Sources and Contributors Byomkesh Bakshi Source: http://en. EoGuy. Anurag17889.org/w/index. Hubert.org/licenses/by-sa/3. Mgiganteus1. Pshent. Krishnendu. Dwaipayanc. 152 anonymous edits Image Sources. Khazar.php?oldid=481157812 Contributors: Abhishekupadhya. Viscious81. Merchbow. Cupidvogel. Sumonjit. St.wikipedia. Anubhab91.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Calcuttaphile. Dreaded Walrus. Henry Merrivale. Antorjal.org/w/index. Riana. Contactasheesh.0 Unported //creativecommons. Samir License Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3. Shreevatsa. Jason Quinn. Levineps. LordGulliverofGalben. Last Contrarian. Mskadu. Ekabhishek. Priyanath.