Upanyas Samagra 3 by Ramapada Choudhuri [Hardcover]

"Your subject matter, the structure of your composition, the craftsmanship, the clarity and smooth flow of your language, and your respect and belief in the values of life— you have woven all these together with immense skill." ... Nihar Ranjan Roy wrote this from New Delhi on April 22, '77. Another renowned elder, Ramapad Choudhury, wrote affectionately with a touch of humor about him: "A writer who doesn't write." If we forget the fourteen novels of Bankim Chandra and the twenty of Sharatchandra, we must admit that, indeed, he was ‘a writer without writing.’ But strangely, not even one of Ramapad Choudhury's novels can be ignored. If one of his novels reached the peak of popularity (Lalbai), another earned the honor of timeless literature (Banpalashir Padabali). If one of his novels found a seat of prestige in the gatherings of the elderly (Beej), another's dialogues echoed in the mouths of young men and women (Akhoni). One could say, no other writer’s works exhibit such a variety of subjects. And none have reached such profound depth as he has.

In this third volume of Upanyasasamagra (The Collected Novels), there are six memorable novels by Ramapad Choudhury. Among them is Akhoni—a novel that was awarded the Rabindra Prize upon publication and remains just as popular with young readers even after all these years. There is Abhimanyu, the novel that inspired Tapan Sinha's recent national film Ek Daktar Ki Maut. Then comes Rup—where the exploration of image and the true nature of a person takes center stage. Chorai tells the story of ascending the steps of worldly ambition and success, only to end in emptiness. Shesh-er Simana investigates the sources of the miraculous dependence of helpless people. Finally, there is Aro Ekti Jan—a novel that touches upon the theme of a love triangle with a gentle, soft embrace.