A curation of fourteen short fictions by seven most prominent women authors writing in Bengali, translated for the first time into English by a cohort of fine translators. This anthology holds a moving tapestry of tales crafted with mastery and grace with empathy for the muffled voices and an unwavering confidence into the miracle of stories as they carry lights and truth across deepest trenches to the eager ears and hearts.

The poems in this book are an oblation to a small- time colonial mofussil by the Ganges, nestled in one remote corner of West Bengal. The landscape with faces known and foreign has wrapped the poet with unwarranted warmth and simultaneous heartaches. These verses are a tribute to “life’s magnificent fraternity to the modest town corners of Ichapore, Palta Park, Baranagore, Suri with Nawabgunj as its ever shining centerpiece.

The stories collected in this volume of The Year’s Best Bengali Fiction were all written in 2022 and were translated into English over the next year. These works of fiction are aware of their times as they throw light on the edges and depths of our communities and characters. In these troubled times, when it seems often that a lot of the ears have gone dead, like a lot of those mouths that instead of screaming, turn into stones, these stories, seeped in deep empathy for human lives and conditions, glowing in poised craftsmanship of narration and translation, offer a space of possibility, of conversation and resonance. Starting with this edition, we aspire to form a representative yearly archive of contemporary Bengali short fiction for global anglophone readers.

বাছাইয়ের সুনির্দিষ্ট নিয়মের বাইরে বেরিয়ে ২০২২-য়ে প্রকাশিত পত্রিকা, বই এবং সামাজিক মাধ্যমে প্রকাশ হওয়া কবিতা নিয়ে তৈরি এই সংকলন। এর বাইরেও রয়ে গেল বহু কবিতা যা হয়ত আমাদের নজরে আসেনি। সুতরাং এই সংকলন শ্রেষ্ঠত্বের দাবি করে না। বরং ২০২২-য়ের বাংলা কবিতার একটা প্রবণতা চিহ্নিত করার প্রয়াস করে মাত্র।

It is raining and there is not much one can do outdoors. Come and listen to Aajis story about the Kolis, the original inhabitants of Bombay, their favourite fish Bombay Duck and the citys magnificent docks.Written by Fleur D’Souza and Illustrated by Kripa.

Small noses catch small colds. Big noses catch big colds. Gajapati Kulapati the elephant has a big nose and catches a great, big, mighty cold! And what happens when he sneezes – Aaaaachoooo….? With repetitive sounds and words that roll rhythmically through the pages, this bestselling series about the adorable elephant puts the zing back into storytelling and reading aloud. Bright, zestful pictures and dynamic visual text echo the lilt, making these big, happy books of fun.

“Let’s play house-house!” decide Sunehri and her friends. So they put together some old plates and bowls, empty packets of chips, plastic bottles, a broken helmet… things they’ve collected going about their work in the city on whose streets they live. The game loved by children everywhere takes on a poignant layer when played by those who have never known a home¬. Pictures full of exuberance and detail bring out their spontaneous joy in a make-believe world, which trips side by side with the harsh reality of their lives.

Muthu’s constant companion is a rooster called Goondi. But her grandfather tells her not to get too attached to Goondi, since he belongs to Selvi Paati. And the village head wants to buy him for his son’s wedding feast… Muthu can’t bear the thought! So, she makes her move and Thatha makes his, in this tender story about what a dear friend is worth. Pictures add richness and depth to this layered narrative set in an Irula fishing village in Tamil Nadu. Their varying tones and textures capture the setting, the people and the moments.

Jivuba wants to become a singer but she cannot because she has to get married. Luckily, Dammu, the wise apsara of the forest, casts a spell to remedy the situation! But what happens when the spell breaks?

When Fakruddin worries, he gets frantic. And Frantic Fakru is now worried because his fridge is spoilt, the day is hot, and he is desperate for cold water. What does he do? A light-hearted story with a smart idea and cheerful watercolour illustrations which bring alive the ambience of Fakru's neighbourhood in Bhopal.

A collection of short stories written by students at DPS

When M.F. Husain loses his shoes, Jai offers to help find them. The two zoom in and out of his paintings, passing milestones in the artist's life

A magically beautiful story about Malar and her grandfather. A laptime, bedtime, anytime story for you to share. Enjoy! A beginnerís book for children learning to read.

Ismat the shoemaker decides to buy his family special gifts for Eid. He is persuaded by the shopkeeper to buy a pair of trousers for himself. However, there is only one last pair and it's too long. But long trousers can always be shortened, can't they? Eid arrives, and with it comes a shock and a surprise. This crisp adaptation of a delightful Turkish tale has been affectionately told and illustrated, replete with cultural resonances.

Ayeshaís favourite day is Sunday, for itís her Abbaís day. Come, letís find out what happens at Ayeshaís home every Sunday and what makes it so special!

Details awaited

Introducing Mayil Ganeshan, a lively 12-year-old who finally has the opportunity to express herself fully in her diary. This is a significant step towards achieving her goal of becoming a writer, as she hopes to make up for all the unfinished stories and the aimless novel she had written before. In her diary, Mayil shares a spontaneous, sensitive, honest, intimate, and often humorous account of her life and thoughts as a perceptive young girl going through the ups and downs of adolescence. This coming-of-age book is a must-read, with enough humor, heart, and wisdom to entertain and inspire readers of all ages. Age 10+

नंदिता की कहानी भारत के सबसे प्रसिद्ध फोटोग्राफर, होमाई व्यारवाला के जीवन का जश्न मनाती है। होमाई का साहस और शिल्प कौशल पुस्तक में खूबसूरती से सामने आता है। प्रिया कुरियन के चित्रण होमाई की कार्यशैली को इतनी सटीकता से बनाए रखते हैं कि कभी-कभी ऐसा लगता है मानो होमाई ने ही पुस्तक का चित्रण किया हो। शिल्प और जीवन के बीच निरंतर बदलाव पाठकों को रंगमंच की जीवंतता की याद दिलाता है। किताब हिंदी और अंग्रेजी दोनों भाषाओं में उपलब्ध है।

Bumoni’s big backyard, just outside the Kaziranga National Park, is bursting with banana trees. Then one night a herd of wild elephants crosses the river, discovers the trees, and gorges on them. Bumoni’s family is very upset – how do they keep the elephants away? Bumoni has an idea! But then, what will the elephants eat now? Spare but dramatic pictures create mood and atmosphere in this affectionately told story, set in Assam, of a family’s sustainable relationship with the environment – and elephants!

A flock of flamingos flies south in search of food and drink. What they find in the water causes a hullabaloo… They get draped and decked in unspooled tape, rubber tyres, shoes, plastic bags, syringe-needles, even rear-view mirrors! Unaware of their doom, they break into a dance in a confused trance. Priya Kuriyan brings the irony alive through stunning visuals. Real objects imaginatively placed together with her drawings create a lifelike three-dimensional effect. Along with Devashish Makhija’s brilliant verse soaked in satire, they paint a telling picture – of the violence unthinking humans inflict on the natural world through hazardous waste.