The Best of Tenida

by Narayan Gangopadhyay, Aparna Chaudhuri (Tanslator), Sampurna Chattarji (Preface)

The humorous escapades of Narayan Gangopadhyay's immortal character and his ragtag bunch of friends, now in English.

Genres: India, Fiction

181 pages, Paperback

First published March 23, 2014

About the author

Noted litterateur and renowned professor/academician, Narayan Gangopadhyay (Bengali: নারায়ণ গঙ্গোপাধ্যায়) (real name: Taraknath) was born in Baliadanga in Dinajpur, East Bengal, on February 7, 1919. His ancestral home was in Basudebpur, Barishal. In 1941, he stood first class first in M.A. in Bengali from Calcutta University and later went on to earn his D.Phil for his research in the field of short stories in Bengali literature. He taught at the City College and later at the Calcutta University.

His first brush with writing came during his student years, when he tried his hand at poetry. Later he made his mark as a writer of short stories, novels and plays and also emerged as a critic and journalist. In the early 1940s he wrote a three-part novel called Upanibesh. He also regularly contributed to Shonibarer Chithi and was felicitated by Basumati the famous literary magazine. In his later years, he wrote biting satire on the prevalent social and political issues for Desh under the pseudonym Sunando. Among his famous works are Bitangsho, Surjasarathi, Timirtirtha, Alor Sarani, Ek-tala, Rammohan (play), Chhotogalpo Bichitra, Padasanchar, Samrat O Sreshthi, Ankush, Sahityo O Sahityik, Bangla Galpobichitra, Chhotogalper Seemarekha and Rabindranath. Two of his plays, Bhadate Chai and Agantuk, which were enacted by writers, were highly acclaimed.

Narayan Gangopadhyay is also the creator of Tenida and his adventures —which remain till date most popular among children's literature.

জন্ম : ১৩২৫ বঙ্গাব্দ। বাংলাদেশের বালিয়াডিঙ্গি, দিনাজপুরে।আদি নিবাস : বরিশাল।ছেলেবেলা কেটেছে দিনাজপুরে, আত্রাই নদীর ধারে। কলেজ জীবন ফরিদপুরে।এম-এ পরীক্ষায় বাংলাসাহিত্যে প্রথম শ্রেণীতে প্রথম। নারায়ণ গঙ্গোপাধ্যায়ের আসল নাম তারকনাথ। কিন্তু নারায়ণ গঙ্গোপাধ্যায় নামেই সাহিত্য রচনা শুরু করেন এবং ওই নামেই ছিলেন সুপরিচিত।প্রথমে অধ্যাপনা করতেন কলকাতার সিটি কলেজে, পরবর্তীকালে কলকাতা বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ে। ছোটগল্প নিয়ে গবেষণা করে ডি. লিট উপাধি পান। প্রথম দিকে কবিতাই লিখতেন। ‘মাসপয়লা’ পত্রিকায় ছোটদের বিভাগে কবিতা লিখে পুরস্কারও পেয়েছিলেন।প্রথম গল্প ‘নিশীথের মায়া’। প্রথম লিখিত উপন্যাস ‘তিমিরতীর্থ’। প্রথম প্রকাশিত উপন্যাস ‘উপনিবেশ’। প্রথম পুরস্কার ‘কথাশিল্প’ গল্প প্রতিযোগিতায়।বহু ছোটগল্প লিখেছেন, বহু উপন্যাস, বেশ কিছু নাটক। চলচ্চিত্রের চিত্রনাট্যও লিখেছেন একদা । সমালোচক ও সাংবাদিক রূপেও ছিলেন খ্যাতিমান। বসুমতী পত্রিকার পক্ষ থেকে সংবাদ-সাহিত্যের প্রথম পুরস্কার প্রদান করা হয়েছিল তাঁকে। কলকাতা বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়-এর পক্ষ থেকে সরোজিনী বসু স্বর্ণপদক দেওয়া হয় মরণোত্তর সম্মান রূপে। শেষ জীবনে ‘সুনন্দ’ ছদ্মনামে দেশ পত্রিকায় রম্যরচনা লিখে প্রচণ্ড জনপ্রিয় হয়েছিলেন। মৃত্যু : ২২ কার্তিক, ১৩৭৭ বঙ্গাব্দ ।

Reviews

[Smitha Murthy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This seemed a bit like Swami and Friends from RK Narayan. I haven’t read much of children’s literature in India in local languages, and this Bengali-translation seemed like a worthwhile read. I also hadn’t read any of Narayan Gangopadhyay’s work either.

While I enjoyed the capers of Tenida and his friends, I think, unlike RK Narayan, Gangopadhyay didn’t have a child’s voice coming through. I felt it was an adult trying to sound like a child, and it showed.

The adventures were too outlandish, and the language was a bit forced for me. Still, an interesting foray into the works of this author.

[Vaishnavi · Rating 1 out of 5]

The best discovery in children's literature that I have made in recent times. Beautifully translated from Bengali. I can only imagine how wonderful it must have been for Bengali children to grow up reading Tenida's stories. Charmed by them all. Tenida, Pela,Kyabla and Habul. Definitely want my future kids to rad and discover these stories.

[Joydrath · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Best of Tenida is a delightful collection of stories featuring the beloved Bengali character Tenida, whose cleverness and charm shine through his whimsical adventures. these tales blend humor with keen observations of everyday life, showcasing Tenida's knack for outsmarting challenges with wit and ingenuity. Through vibrant storytelling and engaging characters, the book captures the essence of friendship, mischief, and the joys of youthful curiosity. Ultimately, it celebrates the spirit of adventure and the warmth of human connections, making it a timeless read for all ages.

[Ranjana Thakur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tenida made it to my must read list after reading raving reviews. Must say that I was not disappointed. I was skeptical about the translation as would the translator be able to capture the bengali humor and very essence of Tenida. The translator has done the required justice and that made the book - an enjoyable experience.

The humor was not lost in translation, I burst into bouts of laughter at times while reading the book.

[M Mohana · Rating 5 out of 5]

"প্রেমেন্দ্র মিত্রের যেমন ঘনাদা
শিবরাম চক্রবর্তীর যেমন হর্ষবর্ধন গোবর্ধন , হেমেন্দ্র কুমার রায়ের যেমন জয়ন্ত মানিক ঠিক তেমনি বাংলা সাহিত্যের এক চিরকালীন পাঠক প্রিয় চরিত্র নারায়ণ গঙ্গোপাধ্যায়ের টেনিদা। ডি - লা গ্র্যান্ডি মেফিস্টোফিলিস ইয়াক ইয়াক টেনিদার এক অবিস্মরণীয় সোল্লাস চিৎকার আর পটলডাঙার বাকি তিন মূর্তির ততোধিক উচ্চগ্রামে সমস্বর সংযোজন । "

[Ahmed Farzad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just awesome, nothing more to say!!! Must read!!!

[Aruna Kumar Gadepalli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Consists one novella and short stories of four friends. Takes you to the adventure land.

[Lady Clementina ffinch-ffarowmore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tenida was recommended to me by a neighbour and also by some book group friends and I was glad to find this translation since I can't read Bengali. This was a fun collection of tales (my favourite was the novella Charmurti)-some of adventure, some just the tall tales that Tenida is rather an expert at telling, and of the tricks they play. They are set in a simpler time where one could just enjoy conversation and a snack unlike the too fast paced life of today. And speaking of snacks, these Potoldanga boys beat EB's characters hollow when it comes to their appetites, especially Tenida, and reading these does make one positively hungry. One enjoys their distinctive characters as well. Only the humour of these stories doesn't (as the translator herself admits) translate quite as well into English-there were points where I kept feeling, if I could translate certain sentences into Bengali in my head, I would get the humour but that of course I couldn't.

[Madhurima Ganguly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good translation. Honest effort.

[Ipshita · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good translation effort but Bengali humor is hard to capture in English. A great introduction to Tenida, leaving you wanting more.