'Who is Abani, at whose house, and why is he even there? [in the words of Brajendranath Mandal]' by Samir Sengupta--translated into English by Bhaswati Ghosh

Thanks, Parabaas, for publishing the heart-rending reminiscences of Brajendranath Mandal - who discovered Shakti's haunting poem `Abani Bari Achho' through his grandson. Shakti would have been overwhelmed by his recognition from such an unexpected source.

Incidentally, Shakti and I were contemporaries in Calcutta in the 1950-60 period - sharing and disputing over politics, literature and other issues, over cups of coffee in College St. Coffee House, or over `Bangla' in Khalashitola, or over glasses of rum in Olympia (now renamed as Olypub) in Park Street. I have written a brief memoir about Shakti, entitled `Shakti, Bari Achho?', which was published by a Bengali little magazine called `Antah-saar', in its Baishakh 1423/May 2016 issue. If you are interested in reading (or reproducing it in Parabaas), you may write to the magazine's editor, Ratnangshu Bargi, at his email address - a....1991@gma.....

Regards,

Sumanta Banerjee (pub. Aug 2017)

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'At Ramkinkar’s House with Shakti' by Samir Sengupta--translated into English by Bhaswati Ghosh

Excellent read, as well as translation. Would love to see the whole book of essays translated by Bhaswati and if possible featured here. Thanks,

Maitreyee Chowdhury (pub. April 2014)

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'Shakti's singing' by Samir Sengupta--translated into English by Bhaswati Ghosh

I have read the original by Samir Sengupta. This translation by Bhaswati Ghosh did something even more than the original Bengali! I always craved for famed 'Shakti singing'. My thirst is quenched. Kudos to both writers!

I have been fortunate to listen to Sunilda (Gangopadhdhay) several times. It is amazing how similar are these two baritones!

Rahul Ray, Boston (pub. April 2013)

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I keep visiting Parabaas. I recently saw the article Shakti's Singing. The original in Bengali is a favorite of mine, I read it when it came out in a periodical. Adding the soundtrack of Shakti's songs has taken the piece to a new level. As we read Samir Sengupta's moving lines about Shakti's rendition of "mori lo mori amay ..." we can readily hear Shakti sing! This is new age technology at its most touching.

Nandan, Singapore (pub. June 2013)

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শক্তি চট্টোপাধ্যায়ের অপ্রকাশিত কবিতা

This poem is uncannily close to the Rabindranath-genre. Shakti Chattopadhay had a deep love and reverence for the grand old man (he used to sing Rabindrasangeet quite often). It is also a deeply spiritual poem. I would like to thank Mr. Sengupta, Mrs. Chattopadhyay and the editor for sharing it with us.

Rahul Ray, Boston (pub. March 2012)

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কালীকৃষ্ণ গুহর গ্রন্থ-সমালোচনা "এক উন্মত্ত দরবেশের কথা"

সমীর সেনগুপ্ত কৃত শক্তি চট্টোপাধ্যাইয়ের দুটি মূল্যবান বই এর আলোচনা পড়ে ভালো লাগলো। আলোচক অত্যন্ত নিপুণভাবে আলোচনা করেছেন। খুব বেশি তত্ত্বের কচকচানি না করে উনি বই দুটির সারবস্তু আমাদের কাছে তুলে ধরেছেন, যা থেকে আমাদের বই দুটি পড়ার সাধ জাগে।

গুঞ্জন বোস (pub. March 2012)

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