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Collected Short Stories
Best known for his immensely popular Feluda mysteries and the adventures of Professor Shonku, Satyajit Ray was also one of the most skilful short story writers of his generation. Ray s short stories often explore the macabre and the supernatural, and are marked by the sharp characterization and trademark wit that distinguishes his films. This collection brings together Ray s best short stories including such timeless gems as Khagam , Indigo , Fritz , Bhuto , The Pterodactyl s Egg , Big Bill , PatolBabu, Film Star and The Hungry Septopus which readers of all ages will enjoy. Translated from the Bengali by the author and Gopa Majumdar.
688 pages, Paperback
First published July 5, 2015
About the author
Satyajit Ray
680 books1,567 followersSatyajit Ray (Bengali: সত্যজিৎ রায়) was an Indian filmmaker and author of Bengali fiction and regarded as one of the greatest auteurs of world cinema. Ray was born in the city of Calcutta into a Bengali family prominent in the world of arts and literature. Starting his career as a commercial artist, Ray was drawn into independent filmmaking after meeting French filmmaker Jean Renoir and watching Vittorio De Sica's Italian neorealist 1948 film, Bicycle Thieves.
Ray directed 36 films, including feature films, documentaries and shorts. He was also a fiction writer, publisher, illustrator, calligrapher, graphic designer and film critic. He authored several short stories and novels, primarily aimed at children and adolescents.
Ray's first film, Pather Panchali (1955), won eleven international prizes, including Best Human Documentary at the Cannes Film Festival. This film, Aparajito (1956) and Apur Sansar (1959) form The Apu Trilogy. Ray did the scripting, casting, scoring, and editing, and designed his own credit titles and publicity material. Ray received many major awards in his career, including 32 Indian National Film Awards, a number of awards at international film festivals and award ceremonies, and an Academy Award in 1992. The Government of India honoured him with the Bharat Ratna in 1992.
Early Life and Background:
Ray's grandfather, Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury was a writer, illustrator, philosopher, publisher, amateur astronomer and a leader of the Brahmo Samaj, a religious and social movement in nineteenth century Bengal. Sukumar Ray, Upendrakishore's son and father of Satyajit, was a pioneering Bengali author and poet of nonsense rhyme and children's literature, an illustrator and a critic. Ray was born to Sukumar and Suprabha Ray in Calcutta.
Ray completed his B.A. (Hons.) in Economics at Presidency College of the University of Calcutta, though his interest was always in Fine Arts. In 1940, he went to study in Santiniketan where Ray came to appreciate Oriental Art. In 1949, Ray married Bijoya Das and the couple had a son, Sandip ray, who is now a famous film director.
Literary Works:
Ray created two of the most famous fictional characters ever in Bengali children's literature—Feluda, a sleuth in Holmesian tradition, and Professor Shonku, a genius scientist. Ray also wrote many short stories mostly centered on Macabre, Thriller and Paranormal which were published as collections of 12 stories. Ray wrote an autobiography about his childhood years, Jakhan Choto Chilam (1982). He also wrote essays on film, published as the collections: Our Films, Their Films (1976), Bishoy Chalachchitra (1976), and Ekei Bole Shooting (1979).
Awards, Honors and Recognitions:
Ray received many awards, including 32 National Film Awards by the Government of India. At the Moscow Film Festival in 1979, he was awarded for the contribution to cinema. At the Berlin Film Festival, he was one of only three to win the Silver Bear for Best Director more than once and holds the record for the most Golden Bear nominations, with seven. At the Venice Film Festival, he won a Golden Lion for Aparajito(1956), and awarded the Golden Lion Honorary Award in 1982. In 1992 he was posthumously awarded the Akira Kurosawa Award for Lifetime Achievement in Directing at the San Francisco International Film Festival.
Ray directed 36 films, including feature films, documentaries and shorts. He was also a fiction writer, publisher, illustrator, calligrapher, graphic designer and film critic. He authored several short stories and novels, primarily aimed at children and adolescents.
Ray's first film, Pather Panchali (1955), won eleven international prizes, including Best Human Documentary at the Cannes Film Festival. This film, Aparajito (1956) and Apur Sansar (1959) form The Apu Trilogy. Ray did the scripting, casting, scoring, and editing, and designed his own credit titles and publicity material. Ray received many major awards in his career, including 32 Indian National Film Awards, a number of awards at international film festivals and award ceremonies, and an Academy Award in 1992. The Government of India honoured him with the Bharat Ratna in 1992.
Early Life and Background:
Ray's grandfather, Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury was a writer, illustrator, philosopher, publisher, amateur astronomer and a leader of the Brahmo Samaj, a religious and social movement in nineteenth century Bengal. Sukumar Ray, Upendrakishore's son and father of Satyajit, was a pioneering Bengali author and poet of nonsense rhyme and children's literature, an illustrator and a critic. Ray was born to Sukumar and Suprabha Ray in Calcutta.
Ray completed his B.A. (Hons.) in Economics at Presidency College of the University of Calcutta, though his interest was always in Fine Arts. In 1940, he went to study in Santiniketan where Ray came to appreciate Oriental Art. In 1949, Ray married Bijoya Das and the couple had a son, Sandip ray, who is now a famous film director.
Literary Works:
Ray created two of the most famous fictional characters ever in Bengali children's literature—Feluda, a sleuth in Holmesian tradition, and Professor Shonku, a genius scientist. Ray also wrote many short stories mostly centered on Macabre, Thriller and Paranormal which were published as collections of 12 stories. Ray wrote an autobiography about his childhood years, Jakhan Choto Chilam (1982). He also wrote essays on film, published as the collections: Our Films, Their Films (1976), Bishoy Chalachchitra (1976), and Ekei Bole Shooting (1979).
Awards, Honors and Recognitions:
Ray received many awards, including 32 National Film Awards by the Government of India. At the Moscow Film Festival in 1979, he was awarded for the contribution to cinema. At the Berlin Film Festival, he was one of only three to win the Silver Bear for Best Director more than once and holds the record for the most Golden Bear nominations, with seven. At the Venice Film Festival, he won a Golden Lion for Aparajito(1956), and awarded the Golden Lion Honorary Award in 1982. In 1992 he was posthumously awarded the Akira Kurosawa Award for Lifetime Achievement in Directing at the San Francisco International Film Festival.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
June 5, 2017
Satyajit Ray was a clever writer- his twists are fun, his plots crisp with nary a sentence wasted, and it is not surprising he and Dahl were contemporaries. However, much more than his cleverness, he was a kind writer. He doled justice, pity, charity, humour, friendships, and comfort like a kindly god, marvelling at the eccentricity of the world, but always fair.
I take away one star because apparently there is no space for a story featuring a woman. The prevailing societal norms might not have allowed women free-wheeling adventures around a lush Bengal countryside (Satyajit Ray continues to slyly use his literature to highlight the lesser-known delights of Bengal tourism), but it is hard to believe no woman ever faced a spook or missed an old friend or had an interesting enough experience for her to feature in this collection. Other than that, this is a rather delightful collection of stories and cannot be more highly recommended.
I take away one star because apparently there is no space for a story featuring a woman. The prevailing societal norms might not have allowed women free-wheeling adventures around a lush Bengal countryside (Satyajit Ray continues to slyly use his literature to highlight the lesser-known delights of Bengal tourism), but it is hard to believe no woman ever faced a spook or missed an old friend or had an interesting enough experience for her to feature in this collection. Other than that, this is a rather delightful collection of stories and cannot be more highly recommended.
July 11, 2021
Satyajit Ray is undoubtedly a master storyteller. This book is a collection of 49 wonderful stories written by Satyajit Ray. The versatility of the stories throughout this book left me amazed with a lot of mystery, a pinch of humor, a bit of supernatural, and sci-fi. It was a delight to read each story with its own twists and turns, I loved the quirky humor in the stories. Some stories were so good, they compelled me to think about human behaviour, why we do what we do...overall it was a fantastic reading experience. Some of my favourites from this collection are 'The Pterodactyl's Egg', 'Patol Babu, Film Star', 'Barin Bhowmick's Ailment', and 'Fotikchand'.
December 27, 2020
A really nice set of stories. Contains Ray's best 49 tales. Fotikchandra and Pterodactyl's Eggs would be my favourite. Stories largely tend to be supernatural and mystery, with uniform distribution throughout the book. A scent of originality and connection emanates from each of them. Ray's writing breaths life into the characters and the settings, bringing the India of the bygone era alive to the reader. The author's masterful talent for creating long-lasting visuals is perceptively evident throughout.
Highly recommended!
Highly recommended!
October 22, 2018
49 Stories to grip you !!!
These are stories collected by Satyajit Ray and translated by Gopa Majumdar.
Each story tells something about human nature. Some stories have that pinch of humor , but each of them has a surprise element in it. Some are Spooky, Some has that light paranormal touch. couple of them were Scifi too. It is a Treasure trove for anyone with thirst for a good story.
The stories are at par with excellence and promises to provide you value of the time spent on the book.
I wish it never ended !!!!
These are stories collected by Satyajit Ray and translated by Gopa Majumdar.
Each story tells something about human nature. Some stories have that pinch of humor , but each of them has a surprise element in it. Some are Spooky, Some has that light paranormal touch. couple of them were Scifi too. It is a Treasure trove for anyone with thirst for a good story.
The stories are at par with excellence and promises to provide you value of the time spent on the book.
I wish it never ended !!!!
July 22, 2018
The versatility that this collection offers is amazing. It has stories from Sci-Fi, comic, mystery, a bit of horror, Kids stuff and lot of other genre as well. A collection you'll definitely enjoy if you are in a mood to read something light but interesting at the same time.
August 4, 2021
Exceptional story telling by Sri Satyajit Ray.
I took a long time to finish this huge book. Each story spun such a web of imagination and thought process that, it was not so easy to read many in a day. I used to read a story then go about thinking of how well so much can be said with so little.
Each story makes you think.
There were few stereotypes, but none the less, the stories were extremely pleasant.
I committed a sin by reading it on the kindle, but this book has gotta grace your bookshelf, it definitely deserves a physical form, in fact all of Sri Satyajit Ray's work.
Worth buying a new physical copy.
Rating 5/5
I took a long time to finish this huge book. Each story spun such a web of imagination and thought process that, it was not so easy to read many in a day. I used to read a story then go about thinking of how well so much can be said with so little.
Each story makes you think.
There were few stereotypes, but none the less, the stories were extremely pleasant.
I committed a sin by reading it on the kindle, but this book has gotta grace your bookshelf, it definitely deserves a physical form, in fact all of Sri Satyajit Ray's work.
Worth buying a new physical copy.
Rating 5/5
January 23, 2019
Picking up Satyajit Ray and alternating it with Murakami was the most adventurous thing I’ve done in the recent past.
But simplicity took precedence over ambiguity. The reading mood, after alternating between both for a bit, demanded that Ray be given more preference, and so Murakami got left behind for a later date.
Ray’s master story telling can delight as much as it can disturb. It can evoke as much as it can provoke. From Feluda to Apu trilogy, the pendulum of his writing prowess swings in equal and opposite direction, leaving the reader intrigued and engrossed.
Maybe it’s the familiarity of an Indian setting or the old world charm, his stories leave you enveloped in a different world (much like the stories by Rabindranath Tagore).
Below, I have handpicked some stories from this charming collection to give you a glimpse of what lies inside...
—- ‘Bonku babu’s friend’ - What happens when an alien kidnaps Bonku babu for a few minutes? This story is a rendezvous with an alien (Ang from planet Craneus), and the resultant a life-altering consequences.
—- ‘Fritz’ - Daunted by a childhood experience, thirty seven year old Jayanti goes back to Bundi to recover a part of his childhood...a 12 inch Swiss doll he’d play with, named Fritz. But what presents itself, instead, is a haunting experience. Do the ghosts of our past really leave us?
—- ‘The case of Mriganko Babu’ - A fascinating story about a man who rediscovers his primordial position in the process of evolution.
—- ‘The pterodactyl’s egg’ - where Badan Babu receives a delightful treasure of information through stories told by a stranger who claims to have travelled back and forth through time.
—- ‘Kutum and Katam’ - As Shakespeare rightly said, “There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.”
‘Kutum and katam’, loosely translated as ‘broken branches with strange shapes’ is a story with an eerie ring to it, and makes us delve on occurrences beyond the scope of human rationale.
—- ‘Patol Babu - filmstar’ . I recall watching this one as a short film adaptation on YouTube and loving it even then. The story makes you reflect on the true meaning of self-satisfaction, as you journey through the heart-warming dedication and attention to detail, a theatre artist puts in, even while playing, what others would consider, an insignificant role.
—- ‘The hungry septopus’ -
We are all familiar with the age-old argument between vegetarians and non vegetarians; It’s ok to eat plants but not animals, as the former are not living creatures and do not possess life, unlike the latter.
But what about carnivorous plants like the Venus fly trap, Nepenthes etc?
This story is an account of a deadly encounter with a man-eating plant called the Septopus, that is introduced to the protagonist, Piramal, by his botanist friend. What ensues is a combination of fear, chaos, and a great story in hindsight...
Undoubtedly one of the best stories in the collection.
—- ‘The small world of Sadanand’ - explores the vivid imagination of a febrile thirteen year old as he befriends and plays hero to an army of red ants.
—- ‘Khagam’ - a sage, a snake, and a curse. What happens when skeptical natured Dhurjati Babu, kills Imli Baba’s pet snake?
Another favourite from the collection, this one ends on a spine-chilling note.
—- ‘Barin Bhowmik’s ailment’ - A now cured kleptomaniac, Barin Bhowmik, while traveling, chances upon the man he had once stolen from during a similar train journey years ago.
However, his changed appearance over the years makes him unrecognisable to the man, leaving Barin Babu with two choices, admit his crime or ignore it.
I could go on talking about each of the forty-nine stories. But I will leave you’ll to discover the rest for yourselves.
Frankly, I have often wondered whether translated works are able to do justice to the original. (I feel some of the magic tends to get lost in translation.) But Gopa Majumdar, I must say, has done a decent job. None of the stories in any way felt inadequate or lacking in clarity.
While some made me smile, there were some that caused me goosebumps, and still others that left me feeling gobsmacked with their surprise ending.
With simple yet effective narration, this anthology was a joy to read.
Recommended for all ‘Ray’ fans...
But simplicity took precedence over ambiguity. The reading mood, after alternating between both for a bit, demanded that Ray be given more preference, and so Murakami got left behind for a later date.
Ray’s master story telling can delight as much as it can disturb. It can evoke as much as it can provoke. From Feluda to Apu trilogy, the pendulum of his writing prowess swings in equal and opposite direction, leaving the reader intrigued and engrossed.
Maybe it’s the familiarity of an Indian setting or the old world charm, his stories leave you enveloped in a different world (much like the stories by Rabindranath Tagore).
Below, I have handpicked some stories from this charming collection to give you a glimpse of what lies inside...
—- ‘Bonku babu’s friend’ - What happens when an alien kidnaps Bonku babu for a few minutes? This story is a rendezvous with an alien (Ang from planet Craneus), and the resultant a life-altering consequences.
—- ‘Fritz’ - Daunted by a childhood experience, thirty seven year old Jayanti goes back to Bundi to recover a part of his childhood...a 12 inch Swiss doll he’d play with, named Fritz. But what presents itself, instead, is a haunting experience. Do the ghosts of our past really leave us?
—- ‘The case of Mriganko Babu’ - A fascinating story about a man who rediscovers his primordial position in the process of evolution.
—- ‘The pterodactyl’s egg’ - where Badan Babu receives a delightful treasure of information through stories told by a stranger who claims to have travelled back and forth through time.
—- ‘Kutum and Katam’ - As Shakespeare rightly said, “There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.”
‘Kutum and katam’, loosely translated as ‘broken branches with strange shapes’ is a story with an eerie ring to it, and makes us delve on occurrences beyond the scope of human rationale.
—- ‘Patol Babu - filmstar’ . I recall watching this one as a short film adaptation on YouTube and loving it even then. The story makes you reflect on the true meaning of self-satisfaction, as you journey through the heart-warming dedication and attention to detail, a theatre artist puts in, even while playing, what others would consider, an insignificant role.
—- ‘The hungry septopus’ -
We are all familiar with the age-old argument between vegetarians and non vegetarians; It’s ok to eat plants but not animals, as the former are not living creatures and do not possess life, unlike the latter.
But what about carnivorous plants like the Venus fly trap, Nepenthes etc?
This story is an account of a deadly encounter with a man-eating plant called the Septopus, that is introduced to the protagonist, Piramal, by his botanist friend. What ensues is a combination of fear, chaos, and a great story in hindsight...
Undoubtedly one of the best stories in the collection.
—- ‘The small world of Sadanand’ - explores the vivid imagination of a febrile thirteen year old as he befriends and plays hero to an army of red ants.
—- ‘Khagam’ - a sage, a snake, and a curse. What happens when skeptical natured Dhurjati Babu, kills Imli Baba’s pet snake?
Another favourite from the collection, this one ends on a spine-chilling note.
—- ‘Barin Bhowmik’s ailment’ - A now cured kleptomaniac, Barin Bhowmik, while traveling, chances upon the man he had once stolen from during a similar train journey years ago.
However, his changed appearance over the years makes him unrecognisable to the man, leaving Barin Babu with two choices, admit his crime or ignore it.
I could go on talking about each of the forty-nine stories. But I will leave you’ll to discover the rest for yourselves.
Frankly, I have often wondered whether translated works are able to do justice to the original. (I feel some of the magic tends to get lost in translation.) But Gopa Majumdar, I must say, has done a decent job. None of the stories in any way felt inadequate or lacking in clarity.
While some made me smile, there were some that caused me goosebumps, and still others that left me feeling gobsmacked with their surprise ending.
With simple yet effective narration, this anthology was a joy to read.
Recommended for all ‘Ray’ fans...
October 11, 2021
Satyajit Ray is for sure the best art minds we can see.
Amazed to see him having written android and more scientific facts on plants, birds, animals...
many of the stories deal with perceptions, magic, belief and science/logic....
Amazed to see him having written android and more scientific facts on plants, birds, animals...
many of the stories deal with perceptions, magic, belief and science/logic....
April 24, 2018
A fresh perspective in storytelling! Satyajit Ray was a master of spinning a tale. Each story in this book is spooky, fun, heart warming and heart wrenching all at once. Reading these short stories will help anyone get interested in reading books. Commendable work, however, In all the 50 odd stories, I did not find the story of a female protagonist. It was slightly disappointing. Keeping in mind that these stories were written at a time when a female lead or a female main character would have been incomprehensible, it is not really a fallacy on Mr. Ray's part to have not written from a woman's point of view. Having said that, however, it is imperative to mention that the characterization and psychological make up of his subjects were generic enough to be applied to both - men and women.
Highly recommended. A must have for your bookshelf.
Highly recommended. A must have for your bookshelf.
May 9, 2018
This one has been with me for months, and for good reason: I didn't want it to end. Now that it has, I almost feel sad. And am aware it is just a book. But then, maybe not.
The collection has 49 stories, told in the signature crispness and economy of words which is Satyajit Ray's hallmark, and the most obvious sign of his genius.
The 674 pages covers tales dwelling on topics covering a wide expanse of the wildest imagination: aliens, time travel, man-eating plants, extinct birds, magic, androids, ghosts, conscious skeletons and sometimes, just plain old gritty reality seeped in the darkest of mysteries.
One of the blurbs on the back cover says the stories is a peek into the mind of a genius. I couldn't agree more.
A book that every book-shelf, and its owner, shall cherish.
The collection has 49 stories, told in the signature crispness and economy of words which is Satyajit Ray's hallmark, and the most obvious sign of his genius.
The 674 pages covers tales dwelling on topics covering a wide expanse of the wildest imagination: aliens, time travel, man-eating plants, extinct birds, magic, androids, ghosts, conscious skeletons and sometimes, just plain old gritty reality seeped in the darkest of mysteries.
One of the blurbs on the back cover says the stories is a peek into the mind of a genius. I couldn't agree more.
A book that every book-shelf, and its owner, shall cherish.
February 5, 2020
If you want to gift a book (to a kid OR a story-loving elder), I would recommend this book!
It's just awesome and it explains beyond words about the talent of the author Satyajit Ray. Most of us know Satyajit Ray as one of the greatest directors and heard his name always related to "Pather Panchali". This book contains lot of short stories and a small novel (Fotikchand) and I can guarantee that you cannot skip any story once you start reading it, irrespective of your age. I just loved it and happy to add this to my favorite books collection
It's just awesome and it explains beyond words about the talent of the author Satyajit Ray. Most of us know Satyajit Ray as one of the greatest directors and heard his name always related to "Pather Panchali". This book contains lot of short stories and a small novel (Fotikchand) and I can guarantee that you cannot skip any story once you start reading it, irrespective of your age. I just loved it and happy to add this to my favorite books collection
October 23, 2020
Ultimate Collection of Stories
Thrillers, mysteries, childhood memories, deep attachment to your surroundings...all in one place. Fantastic collection of stories by a master storyteller.
Thrillers, mysteries, childhood memories, deep attachment to your surroundings...all in one place. Fantastic collection of stories by a master storyteller.
March 23, 2021
Satyajit Ray's collection of short stories is enthralling. These stories were written by Satyajit Ray in Bengali and translated by Gopa Majumdar (and some by Satyajit Ray). It offers stories from various genres such as sci-fi, mystery, horror, fantasy and children's. This book is recommended.
February 20, 2019
Simple English, simple ideas and very beautiful stories. I wish I had read these as a child.
November 4, 2020
Beautiful book! I thought the translation wouldn't be too good but this book snagged my heart!
February 7, 2021
A wholesome book for children and adults alike. Tales of multiple genres told in the simplest manner. An insight to why Satyajit Ray is so celebrated.
Read
April 1, 2021For one thing, this has so many names and places. Refreshing. Goodread.
May 20, 2026
Book Review: The Collected Short Stories by Satyajit Ray
Reading Satyajit Ray's short stories in todays time and age of instant and constant dopamine hits is akin to savouring the flavours and textures of one's childhood comfort food after an overwhelming and ostentatious feast.It makes us wish we never grew up and rekindles the magic and mystery of our childhood heroes. This collection showcases the best of his short stories and wherever in the world you may read it from, it transports you to a boisterous bengali adda where someone casually begins narrating a strange incident, and before you realise it, you are completely inside that world.
One moment there is an alien from another planet, then suddenly an eerie doll in Rajasthan, then a lonely old man with a laughing dog, then ants with an organised civilization more ethical than humans. Ray moves from science fiction to supernatural horror to humour to nostalgia so effortlessly that the transitions never feel forced.
What stands out throughout the collection is how warm, observant and curious he is towards people, animals and every creation of nature around him. Even when he writes about ghosts, strange creatures, ventriloquist dummies or psychic experiences, the stories are ultimately about loneliness, ego, wonder, memory, affection, ambition, embarrassment, childhood curiosity and human foolishness. The writing never becomes preachy despite touching on vegetarianism, sentience, greed, morality, artistic integrity and imagination. He powerfully presents wide-ranging ideas without getting didactic and also with the softness of a children's story teller, albeit with many layers of meaninng.
1. Bonku Babu’s Friend
Ray’s imaginative flourish comes alive through details like the word “flittermouse,” the alien language “Milipppingkrok,” and the extra-terrestrial Ang from Craneus.
Bonku Babu’s delight on meeting an advanced alien life form slowly changes his confidence levels and finally allows him to stand up to the bullies in his adda, leaving them speechless. It is a story about self-respect and respect for others and also a commentary on the shallowness and hypocrisy of our social circles where there is always an unspoken pecking order.Its a human frailty which is so universal and deep seated that it takes an extra-terrestrial to break us out of it.
2. The Pterodactyl’s Egg
Badan Babu’s Curzon Park outing involving his sick little son Bittu's fascination for stories becomes unexpectedly touching.
A fake scientist approaches him with stories about a time machine and supposed samples collected during his journeys through time. Eventually the whole thing turns out to be an elaborate pickpocketing trick. But Badan Babu doesn’t even seem particularly upset because, for the loss of fifty-odd rupees, he has gained a treasure trove of stories to narrate to Bittu and make him smile. Initially, one is outraged at the elaborate ruse perpetrated by the conman, but we realise that in everything bad which happens,theres always something good-sick little bittu's joy is worth the pain and humiliation for his father of being pick-pocketed by a charlatan.The story blends science fiction, imagination and also is a paragon of a father's humble love.
3. The Hungry Septopus
An orchid and flora obsessed Kanti Babu returns from the tropical americas with a plant with carnovorous and humanistic qualities; He calls for his friend who possesses a gun as he feels that the plant was going out of control and needed to be put down.An exciting adventure ensues with a tragic loss of a pet before the menace is controlled.
Conversations become surprisingly thought-provoking on vegetarianism, sentience and humanity, but Ray never turns it into a lecture.
And then comes the septopus—Kanti Babu’s terrifying plant brought from Nicaragua. One of Ray’s most memorable creations. The whole thing becomes deeply unsettling because the menace feels oddly plausible and is creepy and terribly delightful.
4. The Small World of Sadananda
What an innocent and beautiful world Sadananda inhabits.
The real heroes here are ants. Sada’s curiosity takes him down what is essentially 'a magical rabbit hole' through the drainpipe near his windowsill, where he begins observing the astonishingly organised and ethical existence of ants.
Ray almost gently scolds human arrogance here. These tiny beings whom we casually crush may actually possess greater discipline, wisdom and social order than us.And many times, children are more perceptive and less jaded than adults, just like little Sada.
5. Anath Babu’s Terror
Anath Babu—the egoist, paranormal enthusiast and self-proclaimed ghost hunter—creates a mystery around a supposedly haunted western room in a mansion connected to several deaths.
He finally spends a night there.
The ending genuinely gives gooseflesh-no spoilers!
6. The Two Magicians
Surapati Mondol and Tarini Charan—student and master magician.
Tarini Charan is poor, unambitious and quietly dignified. His death under a car feels abrupt and sad. Surapati Mondol meanwhile becomes increasingly ambitious and models himself after European magicians like Shefallo.
But the strange visitation later from his dead master turns into a magic performance far greater than anything staged theatrically.Also impressed the need for ethics even in show business.
7. Shibu and the Monster
Shibu and the eccentric Phatikda
A funny and imaginative story where a schoolboy is taught how to deal with a terrifying teacher who may actually be a monster. One remembers similar stories our parents would cook up to scare us as kids to study or go to sleep.Again, this story makes us go back to our childhood.
8. Patol Babu, Film Star
One of the warmest stories in the collection.
Ray contrasts the impersonal modern film world with the older culture of theatre through Patol Babu, a middle-aged struggling man who gets a tiny role in a film with just one syllable as dialogue.
But the sincerity and seriousness with which he approaches even that insignificant role gives the story enormous dignity and teaches us that money is not everything.
9. Bipin Chowdhury’s Lapse of Memory
The unfriendly and miserly Bipin Babu becomes the victim of a beautifully planned psychological revenge by a friend.A delicious conspiracy which unravels in the most admirable style of writing and a fate totally deserved by Bipinda.
Ray handles the entire thing with wicked humour and shows us that kindness and genuine affection have no substitutes.
10. The Vicious Vampire
One of the eeriest stories in the collection.It is a psychological horror story laced with gothic elements and ghostly colonial secrets
The possibility of an enamoured vampire moving like a bat through the darkness creates a very lingering unease. One of the most deftly written stories in the collection.The writing utilises the transition between sleep and awakening, between reality and imagination in a masterful way.
11. Indigo
Another thrilling supernatural tale taking us back hundred years to the british raj and its unforgiving treatment of Indians as the slaving workforce in their Indigo plantations.How our protagonist takes a trip to an erstwhile planter's bunglow which is currently a guesthouse in a forest area and the blood-curdling events thereafter cannot be written better than this!
12. Pikoo’s Diary
Possibly among the sweetest tales in the collection.
Pikoo’s childish language, spelling mistakes and observations are completely endearing. 'Blue' becoming 'bloo' and strike becomes 'stryk'somehow captures the entire innocence of childhood.It also captures the immaturity and absurdity of adults as seen through the powerful clarity of a child's mind. His mothers infidelity, his fathers indifference,his grandfathers death all happen around him and seeing things through his lens not yet polluted by the world of adults, one gets a fresh perspective on right and wrong in a subtle way.
Everything bubbles with warmth—Ma, Baba, Dada, school, home, misunderstandings. The writing hops and flutters like a child’s mind itself.
13. Ratan Babu and That Man
The eerie resemblance and twinning between Ratan Babu and Manilal Babu becomes increasingly disturbing. Quietly chilling story. Explores the unpredictability of human nature and the dastardly turns a seemingly mundane day can take.A dark thriller par excellence.
14. Fritz
An old doll buried in a garden in Bundi slowly returning through memory and suggestion. One of Ray’s finest uncanny stories which happen to be based in Rajasthan.Reminds us of the eerie stories of annabelle or Robert the Doll
(Annabelle (United States): A Raggedy Ann doll made famous by the Warrens' Occult Museum. In the 1970s, nurses claimed the doll would move on its own and write handwritten notes. Paranormal investigators claimed it was possessed by a deceptive, malicious entity rather than the spirit of a child.Robert the Doll (Florida): A handmade cloth doll gifted to a Key West painter in 1900. Locals and the Otto family frequently reported the doll changing facial expressions, giggling, and causing misfortune to those who disrespected it. It is housed at the East Martello Museum.)
15. Mr Brown’s Cottage
Who exactly was Simon?
That question quietly haunts the story till it ends. The stopping of diary entries after Simon’s death says more than dramatic mourning ever could.It also salutes the lasting love between man and his best friend, a pet with a soul connection, a love that lasts beyond life.
16. Mr Eccentric
Ray explores the idea of willing suspension of disbelief so beautifully here—whether objects and spaces retain energies of their dead owners.An eccentric gentleman in darjeeling with a peculiar hobby and power,called M.Eccentric and considered a loon by the townsfolk, he is the cranky underdog whose story is an intersection of intrigue, superstition, murderous intentions and a constant lurking doubt which never really clears from our minds.Classic Ray!
17. Khagam
Snake transformation, Rajasthan forests, farewell atmosphere. Strange and deeply atmospheric.A man's metamorphosis in to a snake, a commentary on karma told in the style of a true animistic gothic genre.
18. Barin Bhowmick’s Ailment
A bizarre psychological and physical obsession handled with classic Ray humour and absurdity. Beneath the comedy lies anxiety, suggestion and the strange power of the mind over the body.
19. The Admirer
A children’s writer being unconventionally admired and impersonated leads to a bizarre yet oddly satisfying conclusion.The author is impersonated by an impostor, but nevertheless, the happiness of meeting the famous childre's author is not denied to innocent children.again a story which hangs on the precipice of what is right or wrong and why or why not.
20. Fotikchand
Very moving story.
A rich boy kidnapped for ransom loses his memory and unexpectedly finds warmth and humanity with Harun-al-Rashid and his streetside juggling performer world.
The relationship between them becomes the emotional centre of the story. By the end one genuinely wants Fotik and Harun to meet again somewhere in the Calcutta maidan and continue sharing stories and performances. It blurs the line between rich and poor, kind and cruel and one finds the most unlikely of heroes to celebrate in Harun-al-Rashid. It helps us unlearn the stratijackets of social superiority which our lives indoctrinate us with.
21. Ashamanja Babu’s Dog
Probably my favourite in the entire collection.
A lonely man buys a dog from a mysterious roadside seller only to discover that the animal laughs like a human being.
But beneath the absurdity is such tenderness. The story becomes about companionship, emotional attachment and unconditional love.
When Ashamanja Babu refuses to sell the dog to a wealthy American collector despite the huge offer, it becomes love triumphing over possession.
22. Load Shedding
Pure entertainment. Darkness, confusion, mistaken identities and a quirky ending.How human beings behave in darkness without any scruples is a commentary on the dark underbelly of society where all inhibitions die a natural death.We behave because someone is watching.
23. The Class Friend
A very touching idea—the lost sparkle of the father rediscovered in the son through an old school friend.A crude and unkind man, albeit successful sees the reflection of his old friend who had ruined his own life and sent his son to ask for money on his behalf from his classmate he hadn't spoken to in many years, his rough persona crumbles when he sees his own friend's younger days in the little boy forced to come to him for some money.
24. Sahadev Babu’s Portrait
Strong shades of The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde.
Insight into the devious world of art collection, fraught with deception and vanity. A beautifully atmospheric mystery.
25. A Strange Night for Mr Shasmal
An eerie journey through the psychology of murder and morality. Quietly disturbing.A tale about karma, guilt,greed and poetic justice delivered in a chilling style.
26. Pintu’s Grandfather
Such a gentle reminder that cheering up a child and removing fear itself takes emotional courage.
27. Big Bill
A terrifying Jurassic-age bird emerging from an egg discovered accidentally in a forest, which after wreaking mysterious havoc in the city has to be sent back to where it came from-and there lies the twisted ending.
The gradual growth of dread here is excellent. The ending is unforgettable.
28. The Attic
School nostalgia, heartbreak, rivalry and memory.
The rediscovery of a lost medal after many years becomes strangely emotional.The satisfaction of seeing something delivered to its rightful owner after many years through strange games of fate and chance.
29. Bhuto
The ventriloquist’s dummy acquiring a life of its own against the backdrop of WWII creates genuine creepiness. Ray slowly builds the unease instead of relying on dramatic horror. Seems to be loosely based on the actual supernaturally endowed dummy of WWII fame, Mr.Fritz, though the name fritz is given to another doll in an earlier story.
30. Stranger
One of those classic Ray stories where an ordinary interaction gradually slips into something unsettling and ambiguous. The atmosphere of uncertainty stays long after the story ends.
31. The Maths Teacher, Mr Pink and Tipu
Tipu being forbidden by his maths teacher from reading fairy tales and fantasy books feels instantly relatable.
Then enters the mysterious Mr Pink—one of Ray’s most charming make-believe figures—who quietly helps Tipu in unexpected ways. There is such affection in the way Ray writes childhood imagination.
32. Spotlight
Ray somehow manages to make even a writer’s imagination feel alive and meaningful. A gentle commentary on performance, illusion and the human desire to be seen.
33. Uncle Tarini and Betal
Classic Tarini Khuro brilliance. Half believable, half outrageous, fully entertaining.
Ray captures perfectly the atmosphere of an adda where everyone knows the storyteller may be exaggerating, but nobody wants him to stop.
34. Chameleon
Identity, deception and transformation. Ray plays with shifting appearances and perceptions with his usual understated cleverness.
35. The Citation
Sharp satire on vanity, recognition and social prestige. Ray quietly pokes fun at intellectual pretensions without ever becoming cruel.
36. Sadhan Babu’s Suspicions
A wonderfully observant study of paranoia, insecurity and overthinking. Ray captures how suspicion can slowly consume an otherwise ordinary mind.
37. Gagan Chowdhury’s Studio
One of the most atmospheric stories in the collection.
Art, memory, photography and ghostliness merge together inside the strange stillness of the studio. The imagery lingers vividly.
38. A Duel in Lucknow
Ray recreates old-world Lucknow with elegance and humour. Beneath the duel and performance lies commentary on pride, masculinity and fading aristocratic culture.
39. The Millionaire
A playful yet sharp look at wealth, fantasy and human behaviour. Ray enjoys exposing how people react when money suddenly enters the picture.
40. I Am a Ghost
Vintage Ray humour mixed with supernatural absurdity. The conversational tone makes the impossible feel oddly believable.
41. The Two Comedians
Funny on the surface but also quietly sad underneath. Ray explores performance, ego, ageing and rivalry with remarkable lightness.
42. A Dream Come True
A gentle story balancing aspiration, fantasy and emotional fulfilment. Ray never mocks dreams even when they seem improbable.
43. Nitai and the Holy Man
Faith, innocence and manipulation intersect beautifully here. Ray leaves enough ambiguity for the reader to decide what to believe.
44. Uncle Tarini, the Maharaja
Another delightful Tarini Khuro adventure full of exaggeration, suspense and impossible storytelling. Perfect adda material.
45. Anukul
One of Ray’s finest science fiction stories.
The robot Anukul is written with such intelligence and emotional subtlety that the line between machine and human behaviour starts blurring very naturally.
46. The Scarecrow
An eerie atmosphere hangs over the entire story. Ray uses stillness, rural landscape and suggestion to create fear rather than overt horror.
47. Kutum-Katam
Imagination transforming ordinary discarded objects into living forms. Such a lovely reflection of creativity itself.
The story carries the warmth of childhood craft, storytelling and invention.
48. The Case of Mriganko Babu
Ray blends mystery, irony and psychological tension beautifully here. Ordinary people drifting into extraordinary situations remains one of his greatest strengths.Mriganko babu is accosted by a scarecrow which seems to come alive and uncannily resembles a servant he had dismissed for the theft of a gold watch many years ago.In disbelief and fear, Mriganko babu looks for the stolen watch in the place where the apparent spirit of his servant abhiram says it was misplaced and voila, there it was!
49. The Promise
A fitting emotional note to end on. Ray returns once again to memory, relationships and the quiet emotional weight human beings carry within themselves. Two friends part ways, one studious and meticulous, doing all the right things, another carefree and a bit eccentric.The story dwells on how preconceived notions guide our biases about success and failure, good and bad.The two friends had a pact to meet at a time and place in the future.The friend who was considered a laggard by the diligent one ended up missing the meeting and instead, sends a note that he would drop in home to his dear old friend.In the end, all our notions are turned around on their heads to our sheer delight!
Reading Satyajit Ray's short stories in todays time and age of instant and constant dopamine hits is akin to savouring the flavours and textures of one's childhood comfort food after an overwhelming and ostentatious feast.It makes us wish we never grew up and rekindles the magic and mystery of our childhood heroes. This collection showcases the best of his short stories and wherever in the world you may read it from, it transports you to a boisterous bengali adda where someone casually begins narrating a strange incident, and before you realise it, you are completely inside that world.
One moment there is an alien from another planet, then suddenly an eerie doll in Rajasthan, then a lonely old man with a laughing dog, then ants with an organised civilization more ethical than humans. Ray moves from science fiction to supernatural horror to humour to nostalgia so effortlessly that the transitions never feel forced.
What stands out throughout the collection is how warm, observant and curious he is towards people, animals and every creation of nature around him. Even when he writes about ghosts, strange creatures, ventriloquist dummies or psychic experiences, the stories are ultimately about loneliness, ego, wonder, memory, affection, ambition, embarrassment, childhood curiosity and human foolishness. The writing never becomes preachy despite touching on vegetarianism, sentience, greed, morality, artistic integrity and imagination. He powerfully presents wide-ranging ideas without getting didactic and also with the softness of a children's story teller, albeit with many layers of meaninng.
1. Bonku Babu’s Friend
Ray’s imaginative flourish comes alive through details like the word “flittermouse,” the alien language “Milipppingkrok,” and the extra-terrestrial Ang from Craneus.
Bonku Babu’s delight on meeting an advanced alien life form slowly changes his confidence levels and finally allows him to stand up to the bullies in his adda, leaving them speechless. It is a story about self-respect and respect for others and also a commentary on the shallowness and hypocrisy of our social circles where there is always an unspoken pecking order.Its a human frailty which is so universal and deep seated that it takes an extra-terrestrial to break us out of it.
2. The Pterodactyl’s Egg
Badan Babu’s Curzon Park outing involving his sick little son Bittu's fascination for stories becomes unexpectedly touching.
A fake scientist approaches him with stories about a time machine and supposed samples collected during his journeys through time. Eventually the whole thing turns out to be an elaborate pickpocketing trick. But Badan Babu doesn’t even seem particularly upset because, for the loss of fifty-odd rupees, he has gained a treasure trove of stories to narrate to Bittu and make him smile. Initially, one is outraged at the elaborate ruse perpetrated by the conman, but we realise that in everything bad which happens,theres always something good-sick little bittu's joy is worth the pain and humiliation for his father of being pick-pocketed by a charlatan.The story blends science fiction, imagination and also is a paragon of a father's humble love.
3. The Hungry Septopus
An orchid and flora obsessed Kanti Babu returns from the tropical americas with a plant with carnovorous and humanistic qualities; He calls for his friend who possesses a gun as he feels that the plant was going out of control and needed to be put down.An exciting adventure ensues with a tragic loss of a pet before the menace is controlled.
Conversations become surprisingly thought-provoking on vegetarianism, sentience and humanity, but Ray never turns it into a lecture.
And then comes the septopus—Kanti Babu’s terrifying plant brought from Nicaragua. One of Ray’s most memorable creations. The whole thing becomes deeply unsettling because the menace feels oddly plausible and is creepy and terribly delightful.
4. The Small World of Sadananda
What an innocent and beautiful world Sadananda inhabits.
The real heroes here are ants. Sada’s curiosity takes him down what is essentially 'a magical rabbit hole' through the drainpipe near his windowsill, where he begins observing the astonishingly organised and ethical existence of ants.
Ray almost gently scolds human arrogance here. These tiny beings whom we casually crush may actually possess greater discipline, wisdom and social order than us.And many times, children are more perceptive and less jaded than adults, just like little Sada.
5. Anath Babu’s Terror
Anath Babu—the egoist, paranormal enthusiast and self-proclaimed ghost hunter—creates a mystery around a supposedly haunted western room in a mansion connected to several deaths.
He finally spends a night there.
The ending genuinely gives gooseflesh-no spoilers!
6. The Two Magicians
Surapati Mondol and Tarini Charan—student and master magician.
Tarini Charan is poor, unambitious and quietly dignified. His death under a car feels abrupt and sad. Surapati Mondol meanwhile becomes increasingly ambitious and models himself after European magicians like Shefallo.
But the strange visitation later from his dead master turns into a magic performance far greater than anything staged theatrically.Also impressed the need for ethics even in show business.
7. Shibu and the Monster
Shibu and the eccentric Phatikda
A funny and imaginative story where a schoolboy is taught how to deal with a terrifying teacher who may actually be a monster. One remembers similar stories our parents would cook up to scare us as kids to study or go to sleep.Again, this story makes us go back to our childhood.
8. Patol Babu, Film Star
One of the warmest stories in the collection.
Ray contrasts the impersonal modern film world with the older culture of theatre through Patol Babu, a middle-aged struggling man who gets a tiny role in a film with just one syllable as dialogue.
But the sincerity and seriousness with which he approaches even that insignificant role gives the story enormous dignity and teaches us that money is not everything.
9. Bipin Chowdhury’s Lapse of Memory
The unfriendly and miserly Bipin Babu becomes the victim of a beautifully planned psychological revenge by a friend.A delicious conspiracy which unravels in the most admirable style of writing and a fate totally deserved by Bipinda.
Ray handles the entire thing with wicked humour and shows us that kindness and genuine affection have no substitutes.
10. The Vicious Vampire
One of the eeriest stories in the collection.It is a psychological horror story laced with gothic elements and ghostly colonial secrets
The possibility of an enamoured vampire moving like a bat through the darkness creates a very lingering unease. One of the most deftly written stories in the collection.The writing utilises the transition between sleep and awakening, between reality and imagination in a masterful way.
11. Indigo
Another thrilling supernatural tale taking us back hundred years to the british raj and its unforgiving treatment of Indians as the slaving workforce in their Indigo plantations.How our protagonist takes a trip to an erstwhile planter's bunglow which is currently a guesthouse in a forest area and the blood-curdling events thereafter cannot be written better than this!
12. Pikoo’s Diary
Possibly among the sweetest tales in the collection.
Pikoo’s childish language, spelling mistakes and observations are completely endearing. 'Blue' becoming 'bloo' and strike becomes 'stryk'somehow captures the entire innocence of childhood.It also captures the immaturity and absurdity of adults as seen through the powerful clarity of a child's mind. His mothers infidelity, his fathers indifference,his grandfathers death all happen around him and seeing things through his lens not yet polluted by the world of adults, one gets a fresh perspective on right and wrong in a subtle way.
Everything bubbles with warmth—Ma, Baba, Dada, school, home, misunderstandings. The writing hops and flutters like a child’s mind itself.
13. Ratan Babu and That Man
The eerie resemblance and twinning between Ratan Babu and Manilal Babu becomes increasingly disturbing. Quietly chilling story. Explores the unpredictability of human nature and the dastardly turns a seemingly mundane day can take.A dark thriller par excellence.
14. Fritz
An old doll buried in a garden in Bundi slowly returning through memory and suggestion. One of Ray’s finest uncanny stories which happen to be based in Rajasthan.Reminds us of the eerie stories of annabelle or Robert the Doll
(Annabelle (United States): A Raggedy Ann doll made famous by the Warrens' Occult Museum. In the 1970s, nurses claimed the doll would move on its own and write handwritten notes. Paranormal investigators claimed it was possessed by a deceptive, malicious entity rather than the spirit of a child.Robert the Doll (Florida): A handmade cloth doll gifted to a Key West painter in 1900. Locals and the Otto family frequently reported the doll changing facial expressions, giggling, and causing misfortune to those who disrespected it. It is housed at the East Martello Museum.)
15. Mr Brown’s Cottage
Who exactly was Simon?
That question quietly haunts the story till it ends. The stopping of diary entries after Simon’s death says more than dramatic mourning ever could.It also salutes the lasting love between man and his best friend, a pet with a soul connection, a love that lasts beyond life.
16. Mr Eccentric
Ray explores the idea of willing suspension of disbelief so beautifully here—whether objects and spaces retain energies of their dead owners.An eccentric gentleman in darjeeling with a peculiar hobby and power,called M.Eccentric and considered a loon by the townsfolk, he is the cranky underdog whose story is an intersection of intrigue, superstition, murderous intentions and a constant lurking doubt which never really clears from our minds.Classic Ray!
17. Khagam
Snake transformation, Rajasthan forests, farewell atmosphere. Strange and deeply atmospheric.A man's metamorphosis in to a snake, a commentary on karma told in the style of a true animistic gothic genre.
18. Barin Bhowmick’s Ailment
A bizarre psychological and physical obsession handled with classic Ray humour and absurdity. Beneath the comedy lies anxiety, suggestion and the strange power of the mind over the body.
19. The Admirer
A children’s writer being unconventionally admired and impersonated leads to a bizarre yet oddly satisfying conclusion.The author is impersonated by an impostor, but nevertheless, the happiness of meeting the famous childre's author is not denied to innocent children.again a story which hangs on the precipice of what is right or wrong and why or why not.
20. Fotikchand
Very moving story.
A rich boy kidnapped for ransom loses his memory and unexpectedly finds warmth and humanity with Harun-al-Rashid and his streetside juggling performer world.
The relationship between them becomes the emotional centre of the story. By the end one genuinely wants Fotik and Harun to meet again somewhere in the Calcutta maidan and continue sharing stories and performances. It blurs the line between rich and poor, kind and cruel and one finds the most unlikely of heroes to celebrate in Harun-al-Rashid. It helps us unlearn the stratijackets of social superiority which our lives indoctrinate us with.
21. Ashamanja Babu’s Dog
Probably my favourite in the entire collection.
A lonely man buys a dog from a mysterious roadside seller only to discover that the animal laughs like a human being.
But beneath the absurdity is such tenderness. The story becomes about companionship, emotional attachment and unconditional love.
When Ashamanja Babu refuses to sell the dog to a wealthy American collector despite the huge offer, it becomes love triumphing over possession.
22. Load Shedding
Pure entertainment. Darkness, confusion, mistaken identities and a quirky ending.How human beings behave in darkness without any scruples is a commentary on the dark underbelly of society where all inhibitions die a natural death.We behave because someone is watching.
23. The Class Friend
A very touching idea—the lost sparkle of the father rediscovered in the son through an old school friend.A crude and unkind man, albeit successful sees the reflection of his old friend who had ruined his own life and sent his son to ask for money on his behalf from his classmate he hadn't spoken to in many years, his rough persona crumbles when he sees his own friend's younger days in the little boy forced to come to him for some money.
24. Sahadev Babu’s Portrait
Strong shades of The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde.
Insight into the devious world of art collection, fraught with deception and vanity. A beautifully atmospheric mystery.
25. A Strange Night for Mr Shasmal
An eerie journey through the psychology of murder and morality. Quietly disturbing.A tale about karma, guilt,greed and poetic justice delivered in a chilling style.
26. Pintu’s Grandfather
Such a gentle reminder that cheering up a child and removing fear itself takes emotional courage.
27. Big Bill
A terrifying Jurassic-age bird emerging from an egg discovered accidentally in a forest, which after wreaking mysterious havoc in the city has to be sent back to where it came from-and there lies the twisted ending.
The gradual growth of dread here is excellent. The ending is unforgettable.
28. The Attic
School nostalgia, heartbreak, rivalry and memory.
The rediscovery of a lost medal after many years becomes strangely emotional.The satisfaction of seeing something delivered to its rightful owner after many years through strange games of fate and chance.
29. Bhuto
The ventriloquist’s dummy acquiring a life of its own against the backdrop of WWII creates genuine creepiness. Ray slowly builds the unease instead of relying on dramatic horror. Seems to be loosely based on the actual supernaturally endowed dummy of WWII fame, Mr.Fritz, though the name fritz is given to another doll in an earlier story.
30. Stranger
One of those classic Ray stories where an ordinary interaction gradually slips into something unsettling and ambiguous. The atmosphere of uncertainty stays long after the story ends.
31. The Maths Teacher, Mr Pink and Tipu
Tipu being forbidden by his maths teacher from reading fairy tales and fantasy books feels instantly relatable.
Then enters the mysterious Mr Pink—one of Ray’s most charming make-believe figures—who quietly helps Tipu in unexpected ways. There is such affection in the way Ray writes childhood imagination.
32. Spotlight
Ray somehow manages to make even a writer’s imagination feel alive and meaningful. A gentle commentary on performance, illusion and the human desire to be seen.
33. Uncle Tarini and Betal
Classic Tarini Khuro brilliance. Half believable, half outrageous, fully entertaining.
Ray captures perfectly the atmosphere of an adda where everyone knows the storyteller may be exaggerating, but nobody wants him to stop.
34. Chameleon
Identity, deception and transformation. Ray plays with shifting appearances and perceptions with his usual understated cleverness.
35. The Citation
Sharp satire on vanity, recognition and social prestige. Ray quietly pokes fun at intellectual pretensions without ever becoming cruel.
36. Sadhan Babu’s Suspicions
A wonderfully observant study of paranoia, insecurity and overthinking. Ray captures how suspicion can slowly consume an otherwise ordinary mind.
37. Gagan Chowdhury’s Studio
One of the most atmospheric stories in the collection.
Art, memory, photography and ghostliness merge together inside the strange stillness of the studio. The imagery lingers vividly.
38. A Duel in Lucknow
Ray recreates old-world Lucknow with elegance and humour. Beneath the duel and performance lies commentary on pride, masculinity and fading aristocratic culture.
39. The Millionaire
A playful yet sharp look at wealth, fantasy and human behaviour. Ray enjoys exposing how people react when money suddenly enters the picture.
40. I Am a Ghost
Vintage Ray humour mixed with supernatural absurdity. The conversational tone makes the impossible feel oddly believable.
41. The Two Comedians
Funny on the surface but also quietly sad underneath. Ray explores performance, ego, ageing and rivalry with remarkable lightness.
42. A Dream Come True
A gentle story balancing aspiration, fantasy and emotional fulfilment. Ray never mocks dreams even when they seem improbable.
43. Nitai and the Holy Man
Faith, innocence and manipulation intersect beautifully here. Ray leaves enough ambiguity for the reader to decide what to believe.
44. Uncle Tarini, the Maharaja
Another delightful Tarini Khuro adventure full of exaggeration, suspense and impossible storytelling. Perfect adda material.
45. Anukul
One of Ray’s finest science fiction stories.
The robot Anukul is written with such intelligence and emotional subtlety that the line between machine and human behaviour starts blurring very naturally.
46. The Scarecrow
An eerie atmosphere hangs over the entire story. Ray uses stillness, rural landscape and suggestion to create fear rather than overt horror.
47. Kutum-Katam
Imagination transforming ordinary discarded objects into living forms. Such a lovely reflection of creativity itself.
The story carries the warmth of childhood craft, storytelling and invention.
48. The Case of Mriganko Babu
Ray blends mystery, irony and psychological tension beautifully here. Ordinary people drifting into extraordinary situations remains one of his greatest strengths.Mriganko babu is accosted by a scarecrow which seems to come alive and uncannily resembles a servant he had dismissed for the theft of a gold watch many years ago.In disbelief and fear, Mriganko babu looks for the stolen watch in the place where the apparent spirit of his servant abhiram says it was misplaced and voila, there it was!
49. The Promise
A fitting emotional note to end on. Ray returns once again to memory, relationships and the quiet emotional weight human beings carry within themselves. Two friends part ways, one studious and meticulous, doing all the right things, another carefree and a bit eccentric.The story dwells on how preconceived notions guide our biases about success and failure, good and bad.The two friends had a pact to meet at a time and place in the future.The friend who was considered a laggard by the diligent one ended up missing the meeting and instead, sends a note that he would drop in home to his dear old friend.In the end, all our notions are turned around on their heads to our sheer delight!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 8, 2017
captivating
August 26, 2018
When I recieved this book, I was elated by the very sight of front cover. It showed an alien posing calmly in front of a man clearly taken aback. The man's name is Bonkubihari Datta and the picture is from the very first story inside the book, Bonku Babu's Friend, which is arguably one of the most important sci-fi stories of 20th century. When I was younger a hindi film Koi Mil Gaya (2003) was released and it was immediately called a remake of Spielberg's epic film The E.T. (1982). Many people hold the belief that the origin of Koi Mil Gaya lay in Hollywood but what has been forgotten is The E.T. was itself inspired by a script named Alien written some twenty years ago before 1982 by our very own Satyajit Ray. Sadly, Ray never got around to make his film but Spielberg did. In short, Satyajit Ray was perhaps the very first person to ponder upon the idea of a friendship between a man and an alien from space. Before that, Hollywood's aliens were mostly villainic.
So, this is just about the first story from this great book and there are 48 more! All stories on reading gave me immense joy, pleasure, excitement and evoked every other emotion of every genre I could think of. This is pure genius of Satyajit Ray that he makes short stories writing look like a childplay, like an effortless act. The story which broke my heart was The Small World of Sadananda and which delighted me most were The Maths Teacher, Mr Pink & Tipu; I Am a Ghost and Patol Babu, Film Star. There are many literary gems littered inside book that you can't get enough of it. Satyajit Ray is simply the King of Macabre, the King of Sci-fi (much before Hollywood) and the King of Short Stories writing, hands down!
So, this is just about the first story from this great book and there are 48 more! All stories on reading gave me immense joy, pleasure, excitement and evoked every other emotion of every genre I could think of. This is pure genius of Satyajit Ray that he makes short stories writing look like a childplay, like an effortless act. The story which broke my heart was The Small World of Sadananda and which delighted me most were The Maths Teacher, Mr Pink & Tipu; I Am a Ghost and Patol Babu, Film Star. There are many literary gems littered inside book that you can't get enough of it. Satyajit Ray is simply the King of Macabre, the King of Sci-fi (much before Hollywood) and the King of Short Stories writing, hands down!
October 24, 2020
The BEST Short Story Collection, I have ever read. Absolutely Beautiful.
Every story is mesmerising and captivating. The stories are varied encompassing multiple genre. Almost all of them. Horror, Suspense, Mystery, Thriller, Crime, The Supernatural, etc. The only genre missing is Romance. But that’s not a problem with me.
This story collection is a Must-Watch for everyone even remotely interested in Stories. Even if you have never read any story before in your entire life, this will satisfy you. These stories should be made mandatory for school children. Every story deals with complex themes like Death, Grief, Shame in a mature and nuanced way. These stories inspire awe and wonder. These stories seriously inspire me to wake up the next day, in hope of experiencing some of these stories. Because this is the main point of these stories, that normal mundane life is full of mysteries and intrigue; you just have to find them.
Every story in this book can be made into a Feature length book. I’m sure Bengali Cinema already has.
I will be reading these stories multiple times over the years. I’m sure I will find new meanings in these Stories as I grow older.
Every story is mesmerising and captivating. The stories are varied encompassing multiple genre. Almost all of them. Horror, Suspense, Mystery, Thriller, Crime, The Supernatural, etc. The only genre missing is Romance. But that’s not a problem with me.
This story collection is a Must-Watch for everyone even remotely interested in Stories. Even if you have never read any story before in your entire life, this will satisfy you. These stories should be made mandatory for school children. Every story deals with complex themes like Death, Grief, Shame in a mature and nuanced way. These stories inspire awe and wonder. These stories seriously inspire me to wake up the next day, in hope of experiencing some of these stories. Because this is the main point of these stories, that normal mundane life is full of mysteries and intrigue; you just have to find them.
Every story in this book can be made into a Feature length book. I’m sure Bengali Cinema already has.
I will be reading these stories multiple times over the years. I’m sure I will find new meanings in these Stories as I grow older.
March 18, 2021
As expected from the great Satyajit Ray, an excellent collection of wierd, thriller, spooky stories which will amaze you.
All the stories are unique in their own way and can be read by teens to the oldies. The writing and thought process is simply unthinkable.
Reading some of the stories made me think as to how the writer could have perceived such a story. There are in all 49 stories and except for couple of them all stories are around 10 pages each.
Easy to read and surely it can be preserved as a book from which you can tell stories to near and dear ones.
Overall a wonderful reading experience which will keep you surprised and awed at the same time.
All the stories are unique in their own way and can be read by teens to the oldies. The writing and thought process is simply unthinkable.
Reading some of the stories made me think as to how the writer could have perceived such a story. There are in all 49 stories and except for couple of them all stories are around 10 pages each.
Easy to read and surely it can be preserved as a book from which you can tell stories to near and dear ones.
Overall a wonderful reading experience which will keep you surprised and awed at the same time.
March 3, 2019
A fantastic collection by a gifted author. The only caveat is that the stories might have been arranged better to enable a more binge worthy experience.
As the collection stands, some stories seem a bit close, thematically if read in one sitting.
I received a copy from my uncle as a gift. The collection captures the zeitgeist of the past century with insights and wit.
As the collection stands, some stories seem a bit close, thematically if read in one sitting.
I received a copy from my uncle as a gift. The collection captures the zeitgeist of the past century with insights and wit.
July 23, 2019
Must read for any short story lover
Every evening for two weeks, i read Ray's stories in this book while i was going through a sickness and couldn't venture out. Fresh, interesting, intriguing stories filled with lovable lonely characters await you in these under-read works of the genius called Satyajit Ray. Have a great time!
Every evening for two weeks, i read Ray's stories in this book while i was going through a sickness and couldn't venture out. Fresh, interesting, intriguing stories filled with lovable lonely characters await you in these under-read works of the genius called Satyajit Ray. Have a great time!
August 3, 2019
This is the first time I have read Satyajit Ray (unfortunately for me) and I am completely bowled over by his style of writing. He has such marvelous interpretations of situations and ends a story beautifully. There wasn't a single story which I didn't like. I would love to read more of his books. They are bound to be gems.
May 16, 2020
An amazing collection of short stories, each one leaving the reader surprised at its end. One automatically gets transported to yester year's Bengal and the beautiful scenes described. I wish I had known Bangla to be able to read the original version and truly cherish the emotions and the expressions that the brilliant author intended to convey. A must read for all ages.
May 24, 2018
The best kind of short stories I've read in a long time. Each with its own twists and turn.
Thoroughly enjoyed all of it. I had seen some adapted in movies and short films too.
Nothing but the best from Satyajit Ray
Thoroughly enjoyed all of it. I had seen some adapted in movies and short films too.
Nothing but the best from Satyajit Ray
October 6, 2018
A treasure trove.
To tell the truth the stories are short,quirky,funny,innocent and most importantly, a joy to read.
A FASCINSTING read for sure.
The best part is that each short story can be read over and over until you can't take it anymore...
To tell the truth the stories are short,quirky,funny,innocent and most importantly, a joy to read.
A FASCINSTING read for sure.
The best part is that each short story can be read over and over until you can't take it anymore...
October 28, 2017
SATYAJIT RAY surely knew some Black magic... with his Short stories he can cast a spell that you can't leave this book until it is finished.... Just like RK NARAYAN did with "MALGUDI DAYS".......
February 19, 2019
A treat to read. Stories from daily life and yet intriguing and fascinating. Just shows the genius of the Great Satyajit Ray.
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