Upanyas Samagra 1 by Ramapada Choudhuri [Hardcover]

“...Your subject matter, the organization of your work, construction skills, the clarity and smooth flow of your language, and your respect and belief in the values of life—all these have been skillfully woven together with immense finesse. I have read many of your works; in fact, I am one of your ardent readers. But I haven’t read such a tender, clear, and vibrant story-novel as this one in a long time...” – Nihar Ranjan Ray, writing from New Delhi on April 22, 1977.

Another renowned senior writer, Ramapada Chowdhury, affectionately remarked about himself: “A writer who doesn't write.” This statement isn’t untrue, as after forty years of writing, the number of his novels has only just crossed twenty-five. If we forget the fourteen novels of Bankim Chandra and the twenty of Sarat Chandra, we must admit that he truly is a "writer who doesn't write." But curiously, no one can ignore any of Ramapada Chowdhury’s novels. One of his novels has reached the peak of popularity (Lalbai), another has earned a place in timeless literature (Bonpalashi’r Padabali), one has received the respect of older readers (Bij), and another’s dialogue is still repeated by the youth (Ekhoni). There is no other writer whose works cover such a range of subjects. No one else has reached the same profound depths that he has.

This current volume of his six famous novels contains Kharij—a novel that has not only caused a shift in Bengali novels but has also gained international acclaim. It includes Lajja, which had been a source of inspiration for Ritwik Ghatak’s final cinematic aspirations. There is Hriday (Heart), which Nihar Ranjan Ray praised in his spontaneous letter, quoted at the start. Bij is another that has overwhelmed readers from all walks of life. There are also two other novels, Jekhane and Parajito Samrat (The Fallen Emperor), in which one depicts the inner workings of an individual’s heart, while the other showcases the naked social truths.

Other volumes of Ramapada Chowdhury’s Collected Novels include:

Second Volume: Prothom Prohor, Dheper Nam Tiya Rong, Picnic, Sajon Albume Kichu Chhobi
Third Volume: Ekhoni, Abhimanyu, Roop, Charai, Shesher Simana, Aro Ekti Manush
Fourth Volume: Bonpalashir Padabali, Chad, Bahirir, Dag, Ashray
Fifth Volume: Lalbai, Ei Prithibi Panthnibas, Akashpradip, Rajashva, Dub-Santar
Sixth Volume: Bari Badle Jai, Swarth, Shada Deewal, Pawa, Ahankar, Jaib

Ramapada Chowdhury
Ramapada Chowdhury was born on December 28, 1922. His childhood was spent in the railway town of Kharagpur. Education: Presidency College. He has an M.A. in English literature. Apart from novels and stories, he has written several essays, memoirs, and an extraordinary book of poems. He was awarded an honorary D.Litt. from the University of Calcutta in 1998. In 1988, he received the Sahitya Akademi Award. He received the highest literary honor, the Jagattarini Gold Medal, from Calcutta University in 1987. Other honors include the Sarat Chandra Medal and Award of Calcutta University in 1984, the Sarat Chandra Prize from the Sarat Committee in 1997, the Rabindra Award in 1971, and the Anand Award in 1963. His collected short stories book was also awarded by Calcutta University. Many of his novels and stories have been translated into Hindi, Malayalam, Gujarati, and Tamil. His works have been translated into English, Czech, and German. He is the only Indian writer whose stories have been included in the Literary Olympians anthology published in the United States, translated by Clinton B. Seely from the University of Chicago. His novel Kharij has also been published in English.