Feluda
Feluda (Template:Lang-bn) is a fictional character starring in a series of Bengali novels and short stories written by the famous Indian Bengali film director and writer Satyajit Ray. He is a private detective living at Rajani Sen Road, Ballygunj, Kolkata, West Bengal, India. Feluda first made his appearance in a Bengali children’s magazine called Sandesh in 1965. His first adventure was named "Feluda-r Goendagiri".
Feluda was always accompanied by his cousin Topshe and in later stories by a popular thriller writer Jatayu (Lalmohan Ganguly).
Feluda's real name is Pradosh Chandra Mitter (although Feluda prefers to spell his name as 'Pradosh C. Mitter'), His nickname is "Felu", the suffix “da” being short for “dada” or “elder brother” in the Bengali language.
He is around 27 year old with a tall, athletic figure with enormous physical strength. However, he uses his physical power only when it becomes absolutely necessary. He usually uses his brain to solve problems instead of muscle power and sophisticated instruments. Feluda likes to smoke cigarettes and chew betel leaves. Charminar is his favourite brand. He gets up early in the morning and starts his day with yogasana. He is also a connoisseur of delicious foods, popular movies and books. He is also a voracious reader with a varied range of topics. His general knowledge is of excellent quality.
Other characters
Tapesh Ranjan Mitra (তপেশ রঞ্জন মিত্র), Felu's cousin, who is fondly referred to as Topshe(তপসে), is based on Sherlock Holmes' John Watson. He is the quintessential accomplice and faithfully records each adventure accurately. Though Feluda often teases his young cousin, he is extremely fond of Tapesh and is very protective of him. Feluda lives with Topshe's family - Topshe's father is the younger brother of Feluda's father, and therefore his uncle - at 21, Rajani Sen Road, Kolkata-700029. Although there really is a Rajani Sen Road in Kolkata, the house number is missing. In films and TV serials the character has been played by Siddahartha Chattopadhyay, Saswata Chattopadhyaya and Parambrata Chattopadhyay in different times.
Lalmohan Ganguly alias Jatayu (লালমোহন গাঙ্গুলী ওরফে জটায়ু)or Lalmohan Babu, is a close friend of Felu and is described as the author of a series of Bengali crime thrillers written under the pseudonym Jatayu. His novels are described in the stories as unbelievable, considering that his main character is always the six-and-a-half foot tall superhero Prakhar Rudra. Though all his novels seem to have become bestsellers, he often tends to make extremely silly mistakes such as spelling igloos as ilgoos. (In Baksho Rahasya or A Mysterious Case) he confuses hippos with walruses - a tendency that Feluda often tries to correct. He sometimes serves as a perfect foil to the group and in Ray's own words provides "dollops of humour", although he sometimes does some brave acts not expected of him. He owns a green ambassador car(Madrasi Green!!). In the first two films on Feluda, which were directed by Ray himself, the character was played by Santosh Dutta, and after the first one, Ray modified the character to some extent, making him look and behave quite like Santosh Dutta. Jatayu lives at Gar Par in Kolkata, Ray's own childhood neighborhood.
Sidhu Jyatha (সিধু জ্যাঠা) is an aged character who has described himself to be like Sherlock Holmes's brother Mycroft, living in Sardar Sankar Road, Lake Market, Calcutta. He is a bibliophile and has an extensive base of general knowledge,current and historical affairs. He is a close friend of Feluda's father, being neighbours in their ancestral village. Feluda's jyatha(uncle) is said to have a photographic memory and is a vast source of information and comes in handy when Feluda is in need of some. His vast knowledge comes from his collection of varied kinds of newspaper clippings which he has accumulated over the years. The role was played by Harindranath Chattopadhyay in Sonar Kella and by Haradhan Banerjee in Kailashe Kelenkari
Haripada (হরিপদ) is the driver of Lalmohan Babu's green ambassador.He is very loyal and reliable person for both Feluda and Lalmohanbabu and both of them get appropriate helps from him when they need. Haripada had a very crucial role in Gorosthaney Sabhdhan(গোরস্হানে সাবধান) when he saved the lives of Feluda, Lalmohanbabu and Topshe.
Maganlal Meghraj (মগনলাল মেঘরাজ) is a villainous character that appears in several of Feluda's stories, including Joy Baba Felunath, Jato Kando Kathmandute and Golapi Mukta Rahasyao. He has been compared to Professor Moriarty. Utpal Dutt immortalized this character in one Feluda movie Joi Baba Felunath, which Satyajit Ray directed.
Pulak Ghoshal (পুলক ঘোষাল) is a bombay based popular Hindi film director hailing from Kolkata. His original home in Kolkata is in the neighbourhood of Lalmohanbabu's home in North Kolkata's Garhpaar. He directed two films based on Lalmohanbabu's stories . During the shooting of these two films , dangerous events took place resulting in arrest of producer in one film (Bombaiyer Bombete ) and arrest of hero in another film ( Darjeeling Jamjomat).
Srinath (শ্রীনাথ) is the domestic cook of Feluda and Topshe.
ফেলুদা(Feluda) Stories
ফেলুদার গোয়েন্দাগিরি
বাদশাহী আংটি
কৈলাস চৌধুরীর পাথর
শেয়াল দেবতা রহস্য
গ্যাংটকে গন্ডগোল
সোনার কেল্লা
বাক্স রহস্য
ঘুরঘুটিয়ার ঘটনা
রয়েল বেঙ্গল রহস্য
সমাদ্দারের চাবি
জয়বাবা ফেলুনাথ
বোম্বাইয়ের বোম্বেট
গোঁসাইপুর সরগরম
ছিন্নমস্তার অভিশাপ
15.Hatyapuri
হত্যাপুরী
গোলকধাম রহস্য
যত কান্ড কাঠমাণ্ডুতে
নেপোলিয়নের চিঠি
টিনটোরেটোর যীশ
20.Ambar Sen antradhan Rahashya
অম্বর সেন অন্তর্ধান রহস্য
জাহাঙ্গীরের স্বর্ণমুদ্রা
এবার কান্ড কেদারনাথে
বোসপুকুরে খুনখারাপি
দার্জিলিং জমজমাট
অপ্সরা থিয়েটারের মামলা
ভূস্বর্গ ভয়ঙ্কর
শকুন্তলার কন্ঠহার
লন্ডনে ফেলুদা
নয়ন রহস্য
গোলাপী মুক্তা রহস্য
নয়ন রহস্য
কৈলাসে কেলেংকারী
গোঁসাইপুর সরগরম
রবার্টসনের রুবি
ইন্দ্রজাল রহস্য,
Fiction
Satyajit Ray wrote thirty-five Feluda stories, most of which were extremely popular among Bengali children as well as adults.
Some of the stories were published in hard-cover editions, while some stories were published as a collection with other new stories. Some stories also appeared in the short story collections of Ray, which characteristically used to contain 12 short stories, including a few featuring Feluda.
Every year a new Feluda adventure appeared in the special Autumn edition or Durgapuja edition of the Bengali periodical - Desh, and also in Sandesh.
Lately, a series of Feluda collections have also been published, containing several stories in a single title. Most recently Feluda titles have been accumulated under Feluda Shamagra.
Following is a list of hard cover edition books with some details:
| Name | Name in English | Publication |
|---|---|---|
| Badshahi Angti | The Emperor's Ring | Ananda Publishers, Calcutta 1969. Sandesh, 1966 |
| Gangtokey Gandagol | Trouble in Gangtok | Ananda Publishers, Calcutta 1971. Desh, Autumn Special, 1970 |
| Sonar Kella | The Golden Fortress | Ananda Publishers, Calcutta 1971. Desh, Autumn Special, 1971 |
| Baksho Rahashya | A Mysterious Case/ The Mystery of the Kalka Mail | Ananda Publishers, Calcutta 1973. Desh, Autumn Special, 1972 |
| Kailashey Kelenkari | A Killer in Kailash | Ananda Publishers, Calcutta 1974. Desh, Autumn Special, 1973 |
| Royal Bengal Rahashya | The Royal Bengal Mystery | Ananda Publishers, Calcutta 1975. Desh, Autumn Special, 1974 |
| Joi Baba Felunath | The Mystery of the Elephant God | Ananda Publishers, Calcutta 1976. Desh, Autumn Special 1975 |
| Feluda and Co. - Collection Containing : Bombaiyer Bombete Gosainpur Sargaram |
Feluda and Co. The Buccaneers of Bombay The Mystery of the Walking Dead |
Ananda Publishers, Calcutta 1976. Desh, Autumn Special 1976 |
| Gorosthaney Sabdhan | Trouble in the Graveyard | Ananda Publishers, Calcutta 1979. Desh, Autumn Special, 1977 |
| Chhinnamastar Abhishap | The Curse of the Goddess | Ananda Publishers, Calcutta 1981. Desh, Autumn Special 1978 |
| Hatyapuri | The House of Death | Ananda Publishers, Calcutta 1981. Desh, Autumn Special 1979 |
| Jato Kando Kathmandutey | The Criminals of Kathmandu | Ananda Publishers, Calcutta 1982. Desh, Autumn Special, 1980 |
| Tintorettor Jishu | Tintoretto's Jesus | Ananda Publishers, Calcutta 1983 Desh, Autumn Special 1982 |
| Feluda One Feluda Two - Collection Containing : Ebar Kando Kedarnathey Napoleon er Chithhi |
Feluda One Feluda Two Crime in Kedarnath Napoleon's Letter |
Ananda Publishers, Calcutta 1985. Sandesh, 1981; Desh, Autumn Special 1984 |
| Darjeeling Jamjamat | Danger in Darjeeling | Ananda Publishers, Calcutta 1987. Desh, Autumn Special 1986 |
| Double Feluda - Collection Containing : Apsara Theatre er Mamla Bhuswarga Bhayankar |
Double Feluda The Case of the Apsara Theatre Peril in Paradise' |
Ananda Publishers, Calcutta 1989. Sandesh, Autumn Special 1987; Desh, Autumn Special 1987 |
| Nayan Rahashya | The Mystery of Nayan | Ananda Publishers, Calcutta 1991. Desh, Autumn Special 1990 |
| Feluda Plus Feluda - Collection Containing : Golapi Mukta Rahashya London ey Feluda |
Feluda Plus Feluda The Mystery of the Pink Pearl Feluda in London |
Ananda Publishers, Calcutta 1992. Sandesh, Autumn Special 1989; Desh, Autumn Special 1989 |
| Robertson er Ruby | Robertson's Ruby | Ananda Publishers, Calcutta 1994, Desh, Autumn Special 1992 |
In later years, Feluda's stories and novels have also been clubbed and published as different volumes like "Kolkatay Feluda", "Pahare Feluda" and "Feluda Omnibus", the comprehensive collection of Feluda's stories. Feluda's books have also been translated into English and have been published by Penguin Books.
Feluda Stories
In addition to the above, Ray also wrote some shorter stories on Feluda which have been included in many of his short story collections. These include:
- Feludar Goendagiri (Danger in Darjeeling)
- Bhusarga Bhayankar (Peril in paradise)
- Bombaier Bombete (The Bandits of Bombay)
- Londone Feluda (Feluda in London)
- Nepolioner Chithi (Napoleon's Letter)
- Kailash Choudharyr Pathar (Kailash Chowdhury's Jewel)
- Ghurghutiyar Ghatana (The Locked Chest)
- Golapi Mukta Rahasya (The Mystery of the Purple Stone)
- Samaddarer Chabi (The Key)
- Sheyal Debota Rahasya (The Anubis Mystery)
- Ambar Sen Antardhyan Rahasya (The Disappearance of Ambar Sen)
- Jahangirer Swarnamudra (The Gold Coins of Jehangir)
- Golokdham Rahasya(Mystery at Golok Lodge)
- Bosepukure Khunkharapi (The Acharya Murder Case)
- Shakuntalar Kanthahar (Shakuntala's Necklace)
- Indrajal Rahasya (The Magical Mystery)
- Dr Munshir Diary (Dr Munshi's Diary)
- Apsara Theatre-er Mamla (The case of the Apsara Theatre)
- Tintorettor jishu
- Baksha rahasya
- Badshahi aangti
- Sonar kella
- Joy baba felunath
- Gorosthane sabdhaan
- Hatyapuri
- Ebar kando kedarnath
- Gangtoke gondogol
- Joto kando kathmandu
- Kailashe kelenkari
Apart from these a number of unfinished Feluda stories have also been published in various collection of stories of Satyajit Ray.
"Feluda-r Songe Kashite" is another work of Satyajit Ray. This is not really a Feluda story, but is of great interest to Feluda fans, as it gives a great account of the shooting of "Joy Baba Felunath" in Ray's unimitable prose.
Feluda in other media
Films
Satyajit Ray directed Sonar Kella and Joi Baba Felunath into movies in Bengali, starring actor Soumitra Chatterjee as Feluda, Santosh Dutta as Jatayu and Siddhartha Chatterjee as Topshe.
In recent years, Sandip Ray has directed Four Feluda-films — Baksho Rahashya (film)(released December 2001), Bombaiyer Bombete (released December 2003), Kailashey Kelenkari (released in December 2007) and Tintorettor Jishu (released in December 2008) — which star a new set of actors, Sabyasachi Chakraborty as Feluda, Paramabrata as Topshe and Bibhu Bhattacharya as Jatayu. Another film is scheduled to release in 2010.
Telefilms
In addition to the Feature Films, many of the Feluda stories have been filmed by Sandip Ray as Telefilms under the names/packages:
- Satyajit Ray Presents (In Hindi)
- Dr Munshir Diary (Dr Munshi's Diary)
- Feluda 30 (Commemorating 30 years of Feluda)
In the Hindi telefilms, Feluda was played by Shashi Kapoor and Jatayu by Mohan Agashe. Feluda was played by Soumitra Chatterjee in a few of the Bengali telefilms made in the 1990s while Sabyasachi Chakraborty played that role in most of the telefilms made later. Jatayu was played sometimes by Rabi Ghosh, sometimes by Anup Kumar and finally by Bibhu Bhattacharya after the death of Santosh Dutta.
Radio
- The first Radio Adaptation of Feluda was made by Satyajit Ray himself and that was Baksho Rahsaya with his usual cast like Soumitra Chatterjee as Feluda, Santosh Dutta as Jatayu, Siddhartha Chatterjee as Topshe and Harindranath Chattopadhyay as Sidhu Jyatha along with other prominent actors like Haradhan Bandopadhyay, Biplab Chatterjee and Bikash Roy.
- Akashabani had produced Darjeeling Jomjomat casting a set of regular actors in Radio.
- In January, 2007, the BBC World Service announced that it would produce at least two 'episodes' of the popular detective stories. Bollywood star Rahul Bose speaks the leading role, with Anupam Kher voicing Lalmohan. The first episode, "The Golden Fortress", aired on February 10, 2007 with the second episode, "The Mystery of the Elephant God" following on August 11, 2007.
- In 2007 Sandip Ray have rebooted the Radio Series with his own set of actors as Sabyasachi Chakraborty as Feluda, Paramabrata as Topshe and Bibhu Bhattacharya as Jatayu. He made two new dramas, Gosainpur Sorgorom and Dr. Munsi'r Diary. These two dramas along with Baksho Rahasya, directed by Satyajit Ray, aired together on Big FM.
Comics
Some of the Feluda stories have been made into comic strips by different artists and authors. These have been published by Ananda Publishers.English versions of comics have appeared in The Telegraph
Music
In a collaborative album brought out in 1996 by HMV, Kabir Suman sings a Feludar Gaan (Feluda's song).
- Feludar Gaan
The song written by Kabir Suman was first publicised at Sandesh magazine on the speciall Feluda 30 issue released on December,1995 on the completation of 30 years of Feluda Stories. Later in a collaborative album by HMV "Choto Boro Miley"(1996) the song was composed and performed by three legend Singer-Song-writer Kabir Suman, Nachiketa Chakraborty and Anjan Dutta.
- Later many of Bengali songs have references and symbols of Feluda Franchise including Calcium by Anjan Dutta from the album Purono Guitar(1995).
Feluda in Pujabarshiki
Nearly every Feluda story was published annually in the Pujabarshiki Desh (the edition of Desh commemorating the Durgapuja published every year). Thereafter the stories were published as hard-back editions by Ananda Publishers. Some of the stories were published originally in Sandesh, a children's magazine co-edited by Satyajit Ray.
Feluda in Bengali mindset and Socio-ethical Perspective
Feluda's adventures offer an interesting commentary on socio-ethical change, and the deep psychological and sociological transformation due to the student unrest and political upheavals in eastern India during the later half of the 20th century. Through Feluda, its creator Satyajit Ray captured the diverse cross-segments of the Indian (and more specifically Kolkata) society, in a dispassionate manner, while remaining firmly rooted in middle class intellectual idealism and thereby subconsciously maintaining a discreet distance from the social substratum of the malefactor.
Aami aar Feluda- A book by Sandip Ray
Sandip Ray, the son of Satyajit Ray has come up with his account of the time he has had with Feluda in the book named "Aami aar Feluda", published by Deep Prakashan. First published in the magazine "Sukhi Grihokon" as a short series, "Aami aar Feluda" retains the flavour of "Ekei Bole Shooting", written by Satyajit Ray. Sandip's book deals with the background stories of all Feluda Movies and Telefilms. "Aami aar Feluda" is ghost-written by author Sebabrata Banerjee. Sebabrata has tried to follow the smart and fluent style of writing introduced by Satyajit Ray which has made the new Feluda number a good reading experience. A collectors' Item for Hardcore Feluda fans.
See also
External links
- Feluda.net
- Feluda Virtual Museum News
- A Feluda fan-site
- Bibliography of Satyajit Ray
- Divergent Rays: Review by Susan Chacko of Two Books by Satyajit Ray, including "The Adventures of Feluda"
