Sandesh Comics Samagra [Hardcover]

Sandesh, the iconic Bengali children’s magazine, was founded by Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury. Its first issue was published in May 1913 (Baisakh 1320), under Upendrakishore’s editorship. The first phase of Sandesh ran for nearly 14 years until Kartik 1333 (1927). The second phase lasted just under four years, from Ashwin 1338 (1931) to Shravan 1382 (1935). The third phase began in Baisakh 1368 (1961) and, despite numerous challenges, the magazine continues to entertain Bengali children to this day.

In 2013, Sandesh crossed the milestone of 100 years, and two years earlier, the third phase celebrated its golden jubilee.

Throughout its history, the Ray family has played a central role in Sandesh’s editorial legacy, though several other prominent figures have also contributed as editors or co-editors. Notable editors include Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury, Sukumar Ray, Subinay Ray, Sudhabindu Biswas, Satyajit Ray, Subhas Mukhopadhyay, Leela Majumdar, Nalini Das, Bijoya Ray, Sandip Ray, and Sujay Som.

From the very first issue, Sandesh captivated readers, including the legendary Rabindranath Tagore, due to its innovative approach. The magazine featured unique covers, illustrations, color and black-and-white prints, articles, stories, poems, and features—perfectly designed to engage young minds. Over the years, several renowned Bengali authors contributed to Sandesh, bringing beloved characters like Goopy-Bagha, Pagla Dashu, Feluda, Professor Shonku, and Detective Gondalu to life. Additionally, the magazine has been home to many cartoons and comics that have become cherished by readers across generations.

This translation encapsulates the legacy of Sandesh as a pillar of Bengali children's literature, blending creativity with tradition.