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It Happened Tomorrow
In India, the basic theme of science fiction, be it in any language, is primarily anthropocentric, which deals with the interplay between scientific developments and human emotions or societal foundations.
The first Indian science fiction story is said to have been written in Bengali by Jagadish Chandra Bose and around the same time in Marathi by S.B. Ranade. Over the years science fiction has developed in other languages too, like in Tamil, but it has found strong roots in Marathi language primarily and this becomes evident in this anthology too. A comprehensive view of the trends in Indian science fiction can be obtained by going through this compilation of select stories in various Indian languages carefully culled by author-editor Bal Phondke, a prolific science communicator and former Director, CSIR, New Delhi.
The first Indian science fiction story is said to have been written in Bengali by Jagadish Chandra Bose and around the same time in Marathi by S.B. Ranade. Over the years science fiction has developed in other languages too, like in Tamil, but it has found strong roots in Marathi language primarily and this becomes evident in this anthology too. A comprehensive view of the trends in Indian science fiction can be obtained by going through this compilation of select stories in various Indian languages carefully culled by author-editor Bal Phondke, a prolific science communicator and former Director, CSIR, New Delhi.
270 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1993
12 people are currently reading
194 people want to read
About the author
Bal Phondke
52 books7 followersBal Phondke is the nom-de-plume of Dr Gajanan Phondke, a leading writer in Marathi. His specialty is science literature (fiction and non fiction). He is credited along with Dr. Jayant Narlikar to have started the science fiction genre of writing in Marathi literature. He has worked as a nuclear biologist at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre from 1962 to 1983. From 1983 to 1989, he was with the Times of India group serving 2 stints as the Editor of Science Today magazine and also as the science editor of The Times of India broadsheet.
He later on served as the director of the Publications and Information Directorate of CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research) from where he retired in 1999.
He later on served as the director of the Publications and Information Directorate of CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research) from where he retired in 1999.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 13, 2015
Wow. I was simply aware of so much science fiction in Indian Writing. Not just in english but local languages too.
Though none of the stories push the boundaries of applied science and quite a few of them borrow from Asimov. In imagination and possibilities some of them really impress.
Must Read for science fiction fans.
Though none of the stories push the boundaries of applied science and quite a few of them borrow from Asimov. In imagination and possibilities some of them really impress.
Must Read for science fiction fans.
March 20, 2014
Now this is one of my most prized possessions. I was gifted this book when I was 11, by my mom. I still get high on the stories in this book. brilliant.
August 13, 2020
Read it a long time ago, and at a time when AI and othe technologies were still just being imagined.
It is a must read for anyone interested in science fiction. It has stories translated to English from several Indian languages such as Kannda, Hindi, Tamil, Marathi etc.
If you read it today, probably it gives an idea of what kinds of techlogies were thought about 3-4 decades ago, and how many of them have (have not) been a reality!
It is a must read for anyone interested in science fiction. It has stories translated to English from several Indian languages such as Kannda, Hindi, Tamil, Marathi etc.
If you read it today, probably it gives an idea of what kinds of techlogies were thought about 3-4 decades ago, and how many of them have (have not) been a reality!
Want to read
October 20, 2010Suggested by my AI grad students as the Indian equivalent to "Brave New World." Sounds intriguing!
February 27, 2017
The book is a collection of 19 select science fiction stories from
various Indian languages. I recommend the book primarily because
it gives us an insight into the kind of science fiction stories written
in India.
The first science fiction story is said to have been written in Bengali
by Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose and around the same time by S. B. Ranade.
Over the years science fiction has developed in other Indian languages
too, like in Tamil but it has found strong roots in Marathi language and
this becomes evident in this anthology too.
Hugo Grensback has beautifully defined science fiction as "By science fiction
I mean the Jules Verne, H. G. Wells and Edgar Allan Poe type of story -- a
charming romance intermingled with scientific facts and prophetic vision, and
where new inventions pictured for us today are not at all impossible of
realisation tomorrow. This holds true of most science fiction written in
the West. Whereas in India, the basic theme of science fiction, in any
language is mostly anthropocentric, which deals with the interplay between
scientific developments and human emotions or societal foundations.
The editor has culled a story each from the 19 contributors. The
ones I particularly liked in this collection are 'The Ice Age Cometh' by
Jayant Narlikar, 'The Impostor' by Bal Phondke, 'A journey into darkness'
by Subodh Jawadekar & 'Catastrophe in Blue' by Anish Deb. There are other
renowned writers like Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay and Mukul Sharma who have
contributed for the book.
various Indian languages. I recommend the book primarily because
it gives us an insight into the kind of science fiction stories written
in India.
The first science fiction story is said to have been written in Bengali
by Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose and around the same time by S. B. Ranade.
Over the years science fiction has developed in other Indian languages
too, like in Tamil but it has found strong roots in Marathi language and
this becomes evident in this anthology too.
Hugo Grensback has beautifully defined science fiction as "By science fiction
I mean the Jules Verne, H. G. Wells and Edgar Allan Poe type of story -- a
charming romance intermingled with scientific facts and prophetic vision, and
where new inventions pictured for us today are not at all impossible of
realisation tomorrow. This holds true of most science fiction written in
the West. Whereas in India, the basic theme of science fiction, in any
language is mostly anthropocentric, which deals with the interplay between
scientific developments and human emotions or societal foundations.
The editor has culled a story each from the 19 contributors. The
ones I particularly liked in this collection are 'The Ice Age Cometh' by
Jayant Narlikar, 'The Impostor' by Bal Phondke, 'A journey into darkness'
by Subodh Jawadekar & 'Catastrophe in Blue' by Anish Deb. There are other
renowned writers like Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay and Mukul Sharma who have
contributed for the book.
September 2, 2020
This book is a collection of 19 science fiction stories translated into English from different regional indian languages.
Even if this book was released a long time ago when most of the sci-fi concepts mentioned in the stories were yet to become reality, the stories are still somewhat fun and relevant to this day. And this makes it a fine addition to the bookshelves of the readers that love Science fiction in particular and looking to check out something from India.
There are many stories that have become my favorite (in no particular order) :-
Ruby, The Lift, Venus is Watching, A Journey into Darkness, Time, Catastrophe in Blue, Second Coming, Birthright, Dilemma
Even if this book was released a long time ago when most of the sci-fi concepts mentioned in the stories were yet to become reality, the stories are still somewhat fun and relevant to this day. And this makes it a fine addition to the bookshelves of the readers that love Science fiction in particular and looking to check out something from India.
There are many stories that have become my favorite (in no particular order) :-
Ruby, The Lift, Venus is Watching, A Journey into Darkness, Time, Catastrophe in Blue, Second Coming, Birthright, Dilemma
November 21, 2024
Growing up this was my favourite book… this book was the first science fiction book I have ever read, and right after finishing the book I truly became a fan of the genre. The book is not a novel but a collection of short stories-an anthology, my favourite stories were ‘Ruby’ and ‘Ice Age Cometh’. Highly recommended
August 30, 2017
[2.5*]
Few good stories, few really weird (not in a good way), many of them extremely sexist. And the language is heavily sanksritized, to the point of being off putting
Few good stories, few really weird (not in a good way), many of them extremely sexist. And the language is heavily sanksritized, to the point of being off putting
May 10, 2020
One of the best Sci Fi I've read!!
May 17, 2020
I read this ages ago in high school. The only Indian Sci-Fi novel I've read. A couple of stories still stay with me. The one about climate change and one about time travel.
Read
May 28, 2021I read this book in 2002. The science fictional stories still resonates in my mind. Must read!
January 18, 2026
A superb anthology of Indian sci-fi stories with some standouts...
Most of the stories are really good, and now I am really interested in diving deeper into more sci-fi from India.
Most of the stories are really good, and now I am really interested in diving deeper into more sci-fi from India.
January 5, 2016
Some of the stories are really good. At the same time some show real lack of understanding of programming from the author's side. Still a good read.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews