Anandamela
Encyclopedia
Anandamela or, Anondamela, or, Anonodomela (Bengali
: আনন্দমেলা) is a children's periodical in the Bengali language
published by ABP Limited (Ananda Bazar Patrika Group) from Kolkata
, India
. Also, with the sunday
issue of Ananda Bazar Patrika, the Bengali
, daily newspaper
, a colourful page is distributed free of cost- that page is named as Anandamela.
It has been edited by several eminent personalities at different times including the poet Nirendranath Chakravarty
, Ashoke Kumar Sarkar, and Debasish Bandopadhyay. The present editor is Paulami Sengupta Sarkar
. Anandamela is one of the oldest surviving Bengali children's magazines and is presently published once on the second day of every month. Many authors started writing for children through Anandamela; for example, author Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay
was noticed as a children's author after writing Manojder Adbhut Baari, which was published in Anandamela as a serial novel. On 19 June 2004, Anandamela split up into two different magazines, the original Anandamela (for children of the age group 8 – 14), and Unish Kuri, (for teens and young adults of the age group 15 – 25). Both the magazines are edited by the same editor and editorial team. Anandamela is published from 6 Prafulla Sarkar Street, Kolkata
700 001.
, ghost stories
, novel
s (most often, thrillers) and original comics
. In the past Anandamela had for over 25 years, published The Adventures of Tintin
comics
in the Bengali language, making it the only magazine in India to have ever published Tintin
in any of the Indian languages. Anandamela is trusted by parents for study-material and examination tips and has a section Tomader Pata, where it publishes drawings and anecdotes written by children/readers. The following are the regular features:
s were always an important part of Anandamela, thus giving birth to some memorable artist talents. Among the large number of artists who illustrated the pages and covers of Anandamela, the most memorable 12 happen to be:
's new novel of the thriller series, Kakababu
, besides a full-length Feluda
comics based on the story of Oscar winning director Satyajit Ray
, illustrated by Abhijit Chattopadhyay. This special number features 5 – 6 full length complete novels, several short stories, features, three complete comic strips, some of which run up to 60 pages.
Although the fortnightly regular issues of Anandamela started much later, The Puja Number started in 1971. Its price was Rs. 2.00 and it did not contain any cartoon. Sunil Gangopadhyay
is the only writer whose writings are present in every Puja Number of Anandamela from the beginning of the magazine.
took charge as the editor, original comics, and comics, based on Bengali literature
were introduced, and all foreign comics were pulled, including The Adventures of Tintin
, that was the hallmark and flagship brand of Anandamela.
Also, the standard of Anandamela detoriated significantly over the last couple of years due to lack of professionalism and transparency in the process of selection of stories.
Bengali language
Bengali or Bangla is an eastern Indo-Aryan language. It is native to the region of eastern South Asia known as Bengal, which comprises present day Bangladesh, the Indian state of West Bengal, and parts of the Indian states of Tripura and Assam. It is written with the Bengali script...
: আনন্দমেলা) is a children's periodical in the Bengali language
Bengali language
Bengali or Bangla is an eastern Indo-Aryan language. It is native to the region of eastern South Asia known as Bengal, which comprises present day Bangladesh, the Indian state of West Bengal, and parts of the Indian states of Tripura and Assam. It is written with the Bengali script...
published by ABP Limited (Ananda Bazar Patrika Group) from Kolkata
Kolkata
Kolkata , formerly known as Calcutta, is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. Located on the east bank of the Hooghly River, it was the commercial capital of East India...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. Also, with the sunday
Sunday
Sunday is the day of the week between Saturday and Monday. For most Christians, Sunday is observed as a day for worship of God and rest, due to the belief that it is Lord's Day, the day of Christ's resurrection....
issue of Ananda Bazar Patrika, the Bengali
Bengali language
Bengali or Bangla is an eastern Indo-Aryan language. It is native to the region of eastern South Asia known as Bengal, which comprises present day Bangladesh, the Indian state of West Bengal, and parts of the Indian states of Tripura and Assam. It is written with the Bengali script...
, daily newspaper
Newspaper
A newspaper is a scheduled publication containing news of current events, informative articles, diverse features and advertising. It usually is printed on relatively inexpensive, low-grade paper such as newsprint. By 2007, there were 6580 daily newspapers in the world selling 395 million copies a...
, a colourful page is distributed free of cost- that page is named as Anandamela.
Overview
It is published monthlyIt has been edited by several eminent personalities at different times including the poet Nirendranath Chakravarty
Nirendranath Chakravarty
Nirendranath Chakraborty is a popular contemporary Bengali poet.-Poetry Anthology:Some of his poetry anthologies are:*Nil Nirjan*Andhokar Baranda*Prothom Nayok*Nirakto Karobi*Nakkhotro Joyer Jonno*Kolkatar Jishu*Ulongo Raja...
, Ashoke Kumar Sarkar, and Debasish Bandopadhyay. The present editor is Paulami Sengupta Sarkar
Paulami Sengupta Sarkar
Paulami Sengupta is the editor of three magazines in India; Anandamela the 35 years old popular children's magazine published in Bengali from Kolkata, India; Unish Kuri the teen magazine of Eastern India, and Career, that deals with career guidance....
. Anandamela is one of the oldest surviving Bengali children's magazines and is presently published once on the second day of every month. Many authors started writing for children through Anandamela; for example, author Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay
Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay
Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay is a Bengali author who writes Bengali books. He has written stories for both adults and children.-Life:Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay was born in Bikrampur , now in Bangladesh. He spent his childhood in Bihar and many places in Bengal and Assam accompanying his father, who worked...
was noticed as a children's author after writing Manojder Adbhut Baari, which was published in Anandamela as a serial novel. On 19 June 2004, Anandamela split up into two different magazines, the original Anandamela (for children of the age group 8 – 14), and Unish Kuri, (for teens and young adults of the age group 15 – 25). Both the magazines are edited by the same editor and editorial team. Anandamela is published from 6 Prafulla Sarkar Street, Kolkata
Kolkata
Kolkata , formerly known as Calcutta, is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. Located on the east bank of the Hooghly River, it was the commercial capital of East India...
700 001.
Content
Anandamela is popular for short storiesShort Stories
Short Stories may refer to:*A plural for Short story*Short Stories , an American pulp magazine published from 1890-1959*Short Stories, a 1954 collection by O. E...
, ghost stories
Ghost story
A ghost story may be any piece of fiction, or drama, or an account of an experience, that includes a ghost, or simply takes as a premise the possibility of ghosts or characters' belief in them. Colloquially, the term can refer to any kind of scary story. In a narrower sense, the ghost story has...
, novel
Novel
A novel is a book of long narrative in literary prose. The genre has historical roots both in the fields of the medieval and early modern romance and in the tradition of the novella. The latter supplied the present generic term in the late 18th century....
s (most often, thrillers) and original comics
Comics
Comics denotes a hybrid medium having verbal side of its vocabulary tightly tied to its visual side in order to convey narrative or information only, the latter in case of non-fiction comics, seeking synergy by using both visual and verbal side in...
. In the past Anandamela had for over 25 years, published The Adventures of Tintin
The Adventures of Tintin
The Adventures of Tintin is a series of classic comic books created by Belgian artist , who wrote under the pen name of Hergé...
comics
Comics
Comics denotes a hybrid medium having verbal side of its vocabulary tightly tied to its visual side in order to convey narrative or information only, the latter in case of non-fiction comics, seeking synergy by using both visual and verbal side in...
in the Bengali language, making it the only magazine in India to have ever published Tintin
The Adventures of Tintin
The Adventures of Tintin is a series of classic comic books created by Belgian artist , who wrote under the pen name of Hergé...
in any of the Indian languages. Anandamela is trusted by parents for study-material and examination tips and has a section Tomader Pata, where it publishes drawings and anecdotes written by children/readers. The following are the regular features:
- cover storyCover storyCover story may refer to:* a story in a magazine whose subject matter appears on its front cover* a fictitious account that is intended to hide one's real motive, e.g. when a terrorist pretends to be farmer to buy fertilizer or to provide an explanation in case it is found; the story in the case of...
- short storiesShort StoriesShort Stories may refer to:*A plural for Short story*Short Stories , an American pulp magazine published from 1890-1959*Short Stories, a 1954 collection by O. E...
- novelNovelA novel is a book of long narrative in literary prose. The genre has historical roots both in the fields of the medieval and early modern romance and in the tradition of the novella. The latter supplied the present generic term in the late 18th century....
/serial novel, - comicsComicsComics denotes a hybrid medium having verbal side of its vocabulary tightly tied to its visual side in order to convey narrative or information only, the latter in case of non-fiction comics, seeking synergy by using both visual and verbal side in...
- sports
- campus/school review
- page for contribution of readers
- newsNewsNews is the communication of selected information on current events which is presented by print, broadcast, Internet, or word of mouth to a third party or mass audience.- Etymology :...
from the world of scienceScienceScience is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
and ITInformation technologyInformation technology is the acquisition, processing, storage and dissemination of vocal, pictorial, textual and numerical information by a microelectronics-based combination of computing and telecommunications... - examination tips
- study-material
- letters to the editor
- book reviewBook reviewA book review is a form of literary criticism in which a book is analyzed based on content, style, and merit. A book review could be a primary source opinion piece, summary review or scholarly review. It is often carried out in periodicals, as school work, or on the internet. Reviews are also often...
- puzzlePuzzleA puzzle is a problem or enigma that tests the ingenuity of the solver. In a basic puzzle, one is intended to put together pieces in a logical way in order to come up with the desired solution...
s
Popular series (past and present)
- Aranyadeb (The PhantomThe PhantomThe Phantom is an American adventure comic strip created by Lee Falk, also creator of Mandrake the Magician. A popular feature adapted into many media, including television, film and video games, it stars a costumed crimefighter operating from the fictional African country Bengalla.The Phantom is...
) comics (translated from English) - Archie ComicsArchie ComicsArchie Comics is an American comic book publisher headquartered in the Village of Mamaroneck, Town of Mamaroneck, New York, known for its many series featuring the fictional teenagers Archie Andrews, Betty Cooper, Veronica Lodge, Reggie Mantle and Jughead Jones. The characters were created by...
(translated from English) - Arjun by Samaresh MajumdarSamaresh MajumdarSamaresh Majumdar is a well known contemporary Bengali writer. He spent his childhood years in the tea gardens of Duars, Jalpaiguri, West Bengal, India. He was a student of the Jalpaiguri Zilla School, Jalpaiguri. He completed his bachelors in Bengali from Scottish Church College, Kolkata. His...
- AsterixAsterixAsterix or The Adventures of Asterix is a series of French comic books written by René Goscinny and illustrated by Albert Uderzo . The series first appeared in French in the magazine Pilote on October 29, 1959...
comics (translated from French) - FeludaFeludaFeluda, or Prodosh Chandra Mitra, who uses the anglicised name Pradosh C. Mitter, is a fictional private investigator starring in a series of Bengali novels and short stories written by the famous Indian Bengali film director and writer Satyajit Ray. The detective lives at Rajani Sen Road,...
comics by Satyajit RaySatyajit RaySatyajit Ray was an Indian Bengali filmmaker. He is regarded as one of the greatest auteurs of 20th century cinema. Ray was born in the city of Kolkata into a Bengali family prominent in the world of arts and literature...
, art by Abhijit Chattopadhyay - Gablu (HenryHenry (comic)Henry is a comic strip created in 1932 by Carl Anderson. The title character is a young bald boy who is mute...
) comics (translated from English) - Bagha (Tiger) comic (translated from English)
- GhanadaGhanadaGhanada is a fictional character in Bengali literature created by Premendra Mitra primarily for children and teenagers, though readers of all ages enjoys him...
by Premendra MitraPremendra MitraPremendra Mitra was a renowned Bengali poet, novelist, short story writer and film director. He was also an author of Bangla science fiction and thrillers.-Life:... - Gogol by Samaresh BasuSamaresh BasuSamaresh Basu was an Indian Bengali writer based in Kolkata, India. He was born on December 11, 1924 and spent his early childhood in Dhaka, Bikrampur in what is today Bangladesh...
- KakababuKakababuKakababu is a fiction character created by Bengali author Sunil Gangopadhyay, that has become legendary in Indian children's literature. The series, falling under adventure genre of literature, targeted at children and teenagers, started in the autumn of 1971 with the publication of Bhoyonkor...
by Sunil GangopadhyaySunil GangopadhyaySunil Gangopadhyay , is a celebrated Indian poet and novelist.-Early life:... - Kalaboti by Moti Nandy
- Kikira by Bimal KarBimal KarBimal Kar was an eminent Bengali writer and novelist.He received 1975 Sahitya Akademi Award in Bengali, by Sahitya Akademi, India's National Academy of Letters, for his novel Asamay.-Personal life and education:...
- Mitin & Tupur by Suchitra BhattacharyaSuchitra BhattacharyaSuchitra Bhattacharya is an Indian novelist.-Early life and education:Suchitra Bhattacharya was interested in writing from her childhood....
- Pandab Goenda by Shasthipada Chattopadhyay
- Professor Shonku by Satyajit RaySatyajit RaySatyajit Ray was an Indian Bengali filmmaker. He is regarded as one of the greatest auteurs of 20th century cinema. Ray was born in the city of Kolkata into a Bengali family prominent in the world of arts and literature...
- Rovers-er Roy (Roy of the RoversRoy of the RoversRoy of the Rovers is a British comic strip about the life and times of a fictional footballer named Roy Race, who played for Melchester Rovers...
) comics. (translated from English) - Spider-ManSpider-ManSpider-Man is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Steve Ditko. He first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15...
comics (translated from English) - TarzanTarzanTarzan is a fictional character, an archetypal feral child raised in the African jungles by the Mangani "great apes"; he later experiences civilization only to largely reject it and return to the wild as a heroic adventurer...
comics (translated from English) - Flash GordonFlash GordonFlash Gordon is the hero of a science fiction adventure comic strip originally drawn by Alex Raymond. First published January 7, 1934, the strip was inspired by and created to compete with the already established Buck Rogers adventure strip. Also inspired by these series were comics such as Dash...
comics - BatmanBatmanBatman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
comics (translated from English) - He-ManHe-ManHe-Man is a fictional heroic character featured in the Masters of the Universe media franchise. In most variations, he is the alter ego of Prince Adam...
Comics (translated from English) - Doossahosi Tintin (The Adventures of TintinThe Adventures of TintinThe Adventures of Tintin is a series of classic comic books created by Belgian artist , who wrote under the pen name of Hergé...
) comics by HergeHergéGeorges Prosper Remi , better known by the pen name Hergé, was a Belgian comics writer and artist. His best known and most substantial work is the 23 completed comic books in The Adventures of Tintin series, which he wrote and illustrated from 1929 until his death in 1983, although he was also...
(translated from French) - Jo-Jet-Joko Comics by HergeHergéGeorges Prosper Remi , better known by the pen name Hergé, was a Belgian comics writer and artist. His best known and most substantial work is the 23 completed comic books in The Adventures of Tintin series, which he wrote and illustrated from 1929 until his death in 1983, although he was also...
(translated from French) - AsterixAsterixAsterix or The Adventures of Asterix is a series of French comic books written by René Goscinny and illustrated by Albert Uderzo . The series first appeared in French in the magazine Pilote on October 29, 1959...
comics written by René GoscinnyRené GoscinnyRené Goscinny was a French comics editor and writer, who is best known for the comic book Astérix, which he created with illustrator Albert Uderzo, and for his work on the comic series Lucky Luke with Morris and Iznogoud with Jean Tabary.-Early life:Goscinny was born in Paris in 1926, to a family...
and illustrated by Albert UderzoAlbert UderzoAlbert Uderzo is a French comic book artist, and scriptwriter. He is best known for his work on the Astérix series, but also drew other comics such as Oumpah-pah, also in collaboration with René Goscinny.-Early life:...
(translated from French) - Rappa Rayer Kando comics by Sujog Bondhopadhya
Key writers (past and present)
- Bimal KarBimal KarBimal Kar was an eminent Bengali writer and novelist.He received 1975 Sahitya Akademi Award in Bengali, by Sahitya Akademi, India's National Academy of Letters, for his novel Asamay.-Personal life and education:...
- Dulendra Bhowmik
- Moti Nandy
- Nabanita Dev Sen
- Premendra MitraPremendra MitraPremendra Mitra was a renowned Bengali poet, novelist, short story writer and film director. He was also an author of Bangla science fiction and thrillers.-Life:...
- Sailen GhoshSailen Ghosh- Personal life :Sailen Ghosh was born on 1931. He played a role in the famous drama Dakghar written by Rabindranath Tagore when he was in Class IX. The tragic death of the protagonist Amal at the end of the story touched the heart of the author. This death raised a question in his mind when he was...
- Samaresh BasuSamaresh BasuSamaresh Basu was an Indian Bengali writer based in Kolkata, India. He was born on December 11, 1924 and spent his early childhood in Dhaka, Bikrampur in what is today Bangladesh...
- Samaresh MajumdarSamaresh MajumdarSamaresh Majumdar is a well known contemporary Bengali writer. He spent his childhood years in the tea gardens of Duars, Jalpaiguri, West Bengal, India. He was a student of the Jalpaiguri Zilla School, Jalpaiguri. He completed his bachelors in Bengali from Scottish Church College, Kolkata. His...
- Sanjeev ChattopadhyaySanjeev ChattopadhyaySanjeev Chattopadhyay is a fiction writer. His style is characterized by use of short satirical sentences mixed with very lively language.-Childhood and education:...
- Satyajit RaySatyajit RaySatyajit Ray was an Indian Bengali filmmaker. He is regarded as one of the greatest auteurs of 20th century cinema. Ray was born in the city of Kolkata into a Bengali family prominent in the world of arts and literature...
- Shirshendu MukhopadhyayShirshendu MukhopadhyayShirshendu Mukhopadhyay is a Bengali author who writes Bengali books. He has written stories for both adults and children.-Life:Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay was born in Bikrampur , now in Bangladesh. He spent his childhood in Bihar and many places in Bengal and Assam accompanying his father, who worked...
- Suchitra BhattacharyaSuchitra BhattacharyaSuchitra Bhattacharya is an Indian novelist.-Early life and education:Suchitra Bhattacharya was interested in writing from her childhood....
- Sukanto Gangopadhyay
- Abhijnan Roychowdhury
- Sunil GangopadhyaySunil GangopadhyaySunil Gangopadhyay , is a celebrated Indian poet and novelist.-Early life:...
Key artists (past and present)
Art and artistArtist
An artist is a person engaged in one or more of any of a broad spectrum of activities related to creating art, practicing the arts and/or demonstrating an art. The common usage in both everyday speech and academic discourse is a practitioner in the visual arts only...
s were always an important part of Anandamela, thus giving birth to some memorable artist talents. Among the large number of artists who illustrated the pages and covers of Anandamela, the most memorable 12 happen to be:
- Abhijit Chattopadhyay
- Ahibhushan Malik
- Anup Roy
- Bimal Das
- Debasish Deb
- Krishnendu Chaki
- Samir Sarkar
- Satyajit RaySatyajit RaySatyajit Ray was an Indian Bengali filmmaker. He is regarded as one of the greatest auteurs of 20th century cinema. Ray was born in the city of Kolkata into a Bengali family prominent in the world of arts and literature...
- Subrata Chowdhury
- Subrata Gangopadhyay
- Sudhir Maitra
- Shubhaprasanna Bhattacharya
Special issue (Puja Number)
In October, the Bengali festive month, Anandamela comes in a special size of nearly 400 pages, the hallmark of which is Sunil GangopadhyaySunil Gangopadhyay
Sunil Gangopadhyay , is a celebrated Indian poet and novelist.-Early life:...
's new novel of the thriller series, Kakababu
Kakababu
Kakababu is a fiction character created by Bengali author Sunil Gangopadhyay, that has become legendary in Indian children's literature. The series, falling under adventure genre of literature, targeted at children and teenagers, started in the autumn of 1971 with the publication of Bhoyonkor...
, besides a full-length Feluda
Feluda
Feluda, or Prodosh Chandra Mitra, who uses the anglicised name Pradosh C. Mitter, is a fictional private investigator starring in a series of Bengali novels and short stories written by the famous Indian Bengali film director and writer Satyajit Ray. The detective lives at Rajani Sen Road,...
comics based on the story of Oscar winning director Satyajit Ray
Satyajit Ray
Satyajit Ray was an Indian Bengali filmmaker. He is regarded as one of the greatest auteurs of 20th century cinema. Ray was born in the city of Kolkata into a Bengali family prominent in the world of arts and literature...
, illustrated by Abhijit Chattopadhyay. This special number features 5 – 6 full length complete novels, several short stories, features, three complete comic strips, some of which run up to 60 pages.
Although the fortnightly regular issues of Anandamela started much later, The Puja Number started in 1971. Its price was Rs. 2.00 and it did not contain any cartoon. Sunil Gangopadhyay
Sunil Gangopadhyay
Sunil Gangopadhyay , is a celebrated Indian poet and novelist.-Early life:...
is the only writer whose writings are present in every Puja Number of Anandamela from the beginning of the magazine.
Other activities
The Anandamela Club has a system of paid membership that arranges various programs, competitions and activities throughout the year for children.Criticism
Anandamela has been criticised in the past for their over-dependence on foreign comics. Later, after Paulami Sengupta SarkarPaulami Sengupta Sarkar
Paulami Sengupta is the editor of three magazines in India; Anandamela the 35 years old popular children's magazine published in Bengali from Kolkata, India; Unish Kuri the teen magazine of Eastern India, and Career, that deals with career guidance....
took charge as the editor, original comics, and comics, based on Bengali literature
Literature
Literature is the art of written works, and is not bound to published sources...
were introduced, and all foreign comics were pulled, including The Adventures of Tintin
The Adventures of Tintin
The Adventures of Tintin is a series of classic comic books created by Belgian artist , who wrote under the pen name of Hergé...
, that was the hallmark and flagship brand of Anandamela.
Also, the standard of Anandamela detoriated significantly over the last couple of years due to lack of professionalism and transparency in the process of selection of stories.