''Anandamela'', ''Anondamela'', or ''Anondomela'' (

Bengali Bengali or Bengalee, or Bengalese may refer to: *something of, from, or related to Bengal, a large region in South Asia * Bengalis, an ethnic and linguistic group of the region * Bengali language, the language they speak ** Bengali alphabet, the w ...

: আনন্দমেলা) is a children's periodical in the

Bengali language Bengali ( ), generally known by its endonym Bangla (, ), is an Indo-Aryan language native to the Bengal region of South Asia. It is the official, national, and most widely spoken language of Bangladesh and the second most widely spoken ...

published by the

ABP Group ABP Pvt. Ltd. is an Indian media conglomerate headquartered in Kolkata, West Bengal. It was established in 1922. History The company in recent years did mass layoffs at various times. Current assets Newspapers * ''Anandabazar Patrika'' � ...

from

Kolkata Kolkata (, or , ; also known as Calcutta , the official name until 2001) is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal, on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River west of the border with Bangladesh. It is the primary business, comme ...

India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area, the List of countries and dependencies by population, second-most populous ...

History and profile

The first issue of ''Anandamela'' appeared in March 1975.

Satyajit Ray Satyajit Ray (; 2 May 1921 – 23 April 1992) was an Indian director, screenwriter, documentary filmmaker, author, essayist, lyricist, magazine editor, illustrator, calligrapher, and music composer. One of the greatest auteurs of ...

designed the cover of first issue. The magazine is published on a fortnightly basis. It has been edited by several eminent personalities at different times including the poet

Nirendranath Chakravarty Nirendranath Chakravarty (19 October 1924 – 25 December 2018) was a contemporary Bengali poet, Translator, Novelist. He lived in Bangur Avenue, Kolkata. Biography He was born in Faridpur district of undivided Bengal in 1924. After graduati ...

, Ashok Kumar Sarkar, and Debasish Bandopadhyay. The present editor is Caeser Bagchi . ''Anandamela'' is one of the oldest surviving Bengali children's magazines and is published twice a month, on the fifth (previously second) and twentieth days. Many authors started writing for children through ''Anandamela''; for example, author

Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay ( bn, শীর্ষেন্দু মুখোপাধ্যায়; born 2 November 1935) is a Bengali author from India. He has written stories for both adults and children. He is known for creating the relative ...

was noticed as a children's author after writing ''Manojder Adbhut Baari'', which was published in ''Anandamela'' as a

serial novel In literature, a serial is a printing or publishing format by which a single larger work, often a work of narrative fiction, is published in smaller, sequential instalments. The instalments are also known as ''numbers'', ''parts'' or ''fascicle ...

. On 19 June 2004, ''Anandamela'' split up into two different magazines, the original ''Anandamela'' (for children age 8 – 14), and ''

Unish Kuri Unish is a constructed language developed by a research team at Sejong University, South Korea. The term “Unish” is used in reference to it being cast as a universal language in the globalized era. The vocabulary of Unish is chosen from ...

'', (for teens and young adults age 15 – 25).

Popular series, novels, and stories

* ''Aranyadeb'' (''

The Phantom ''The Phantom'' is an American adventure comic strip, first published by Lee Falk in February 1936. The main character, the Phantom, is a fictional costumed crime-fighter who operates from the fictional African country of Bangalla. The char ...

'') comics (translated from English) * ''

Archie Comics Archie Comic Publications, Inc., is an American comic book publisher headquartered in Pelham, New York.Samaresh Majumdar * ''

Asterix ''Asterix'' or ''The Adventures of Asterix'' (french: Astérix or , "Asterix the Gaul") is a ''bande dessinée'' comic book series about a village of indomitable Gaulish warriors who adventure around the world and fight the Roman Republic, wi ...

'' comics written by

René Goscinny René Goscinny (, ; 14 August 1926 – 5 November 1977) was a French comic editor and writer, who created the ''Astérix'' comic book series with illustrator Albert Uderzo. Raised largely in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he attended French schoo ...

and illustrated by

Albert Uderzo Alberto Aleandro Uderzo (; ; 25 April 1927 – 24 March 2020), better known as Albert Uderzo, was a French comic book artist and scriptwriter. He is best known as the co-creator and illustrator of the ''Astérix'' series in collaboration with R ...

(translated from French) * ''Bagha'' (''Tiger'') comic (translated from English) * ''

Batman Batman is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, and debuted in the 27th issue of the comic book ''Detective Comics'' on March 30, 1939. I ...

'' comics (translated from English) * '' Chander Pahar'' comics by Bibhutibhusan Bandyopadhyay, with art by Sidhhartha Chaterjee * ''Dodo & Tatai'' by

Tarapada Roy Tarapada Ray ( bn, তারাপদ রায়) was a Bengali writer of poems, short stories, and essays. He is especially known for his satirical sense of humour. He was born on 17 November 1936 in Tangail, now in Bangladesh. He lived in K ...

* ''Doohsahosi Tintin'' (''

The Adventures of Tintin ''The Adventures of Tintin'' (french: Les Aventures de Tintin ) is a series of 24 bande dessinée#Formats, ''bande dessinée'' albums created by Belgians, Belgian cartoonist Georges Remi, who wrote under the pen name Hergé. The series was one ...

'') comics by

Hergé Georges Prosper Remi (; 22 May 1907 – 3 March 1983), known by the pen name Hergé (; ), from the French pronunciation of his reversed initials ''RG'', was a Belgian cartoonist. He is best known for creating ''The Adventures of Tintin'', ...

(translated from French) * ''Dosyi Dennis'' ('' Dennis the Menace'') comics (translated from English) * ''Dyuti, Hitoishi and Young Detective Kabulda'' by Rajesh Basu * ''

Ekenbabu Ekenbabu (Mr. Eken) is a Bengali detective fictional character created by author Sujan Dasgupta. The first story of Ekenbabu, ''Manhatane Moonstone'' was published in Anandamela in 1991. Character Ekenbabu is a police detective who looks like a ...

'' series by Sujan DaGupta * ''

Feluda Feluda, or Prodosh Chandra Mitra itter'', is a fictional detective, Private investigator created by famous Indian director and writer Satyajit Ray. Feluda resides at 21 Rajani Sen Road, Ballygunge, Calcutta, West Bengal. Feluda first made his ap ...

'' comics by

, art by Abhijit Chattopadhyay * ''

Flash Gordon Flash Gordon is the protagonist of a space adventure comic strip created and 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'' adv ...

'' comics * ''Gablu'' (''

Henry Henry may refer to: People *Henry (given name) * Henry (surname) * Henry Lau, Canadian singer and musician who performs under the mononym Henry Royalty * Portuguese royalty ** King-Cardinal Henry, King of Portugal ** Henry, Count of Portugal, ...

'') comics (translated from English) * '' GhanaDa'' by

Premendra Mitra Premendra Mitra (4 September 1904 – 3 May 1988)Samsad Bengali Charitabhidhan Vol.II edited Anjali Bose, Published by Sagitta Samsad, Kolkata, Edition January,2019,Page-240 was an Indian poet, writer and film director in the Bengali language. ...

* ''

Gogol Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol; uk, link=no, Мико́ла Васи́льович Го́голь, translit=Mykola Vasyliovych Hohol; (russian: Яновский; uk, Яновський, translit=Yanovskyi) ( – ) was a Russian novelist, ...

'' by

Samaresh Basu Samaresh Basu (11 December 1924 – 12 March 1988) was a writer in modern Bengali literature, known for his versatility and vast range of themes. He wrote under the pen name ''Kalkut''. Basu was awarded the 1980 Sahitya Akademi Award in Bengal ...

* ''Gupi & Panu'' by

Leela Majumdar Leela Majumdar ( bn, লীলা মজুমদার ''Lila Mojumdar''), (26 February 1908 – 5 April 2007) was a Bengali writer. Early life Born to Surama Devi and Pramada Ranjan Ray (who was the younger brother of Upendra Kishor Ray Ch ...

* ''

He-Man He-Man is a fictional character and the main protagonist of the sword and planet '' Masters of the Universe'' franchise, which includes a toy line, several animated television series, comic books and a feature film. He-Man is characterized by ...

'' Comics (translated from English) * ''Jo-Jet-Jocko'' (''

Jo, Zette and Jocko ''The Adventures of Jo, Zette and Jocko'' is a Franco-Belgian comics series created by Hergé, the writer-artist best known for ''The Adventures of Tintin''. The heroes of the series are two young children, brother and sister Jo and Zette Legrand ...

'') comics by

(translated from French) * ''

Kakababu Kakababu (alias Raja Roy Chowdhury) is a fictional character created by Bengali author Sunil Gangopadhyay. The series, falling under the adventure genre of literature, targeted at children and teenagers, started in the autumn of 1979 with the ...

'' by

Sunil Gangopadhyay Sunil Gangopadhyay or Sunil Ganguly (7 September 1934 – 23 October 2012) was an Indian poet, historian and novelist in the Bengali language based in the city of Kolkata. He is a former Sheriff of Calcutta. Gangopadhyay obtained his m ...

* ''Kalaboti'' by Moti Nandy * ''

Kikira Bimal Kar (19 September 1921 — 26 August 2003) was an Indian writer and novelist who wrote in Bengali. He received the 1975 Sahitya Akademi Award presented by the Sahitya Akademi, India's National Academy of Letters, for his novel ''Asamay''. ...

'' by

Bimal Kar Bimal Kar (19 September 1921 — 26 August 2003) was an Indian writer and novelist who wrote in Bengali. He received the 1975 Sahitya Akademi Award presented by the Sahitya Akademi, India's National Academy of Letters, for his novel ''Asamay''. ...

*'' Dithi, Kolpyo, Sruneet and Kaga, Boga'' by Debasis Bandyopadhyay * ''Manojder Adbhut Bari'', ''Harano Kakatua'', ''Gosaibaganer Bhoot'', and ''Sadhubabar Lathi'' (novels) by Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay * ''Mitin & Tupur'' by

Suchitra Bhattacharya Suchitra Bhattacharya (10 January 1950 – 2015) was an Indian novelist, known for works including ''Hemanter Pakhi'', ''Kachher Manush'', ''Aleek Shukh'', ''Icche'' and ''Kacher Dewal''. During her career as a writer, she composed over 20 nove ...

* '' Pandab Goenda'' by

Sasthipada Chattopadhyay Sasthipada Chattopadhyay (born 9 March 1941) is an Indian novelist and short story writer in Bengali. He is well known in Bengali literature for the series stories of Pandab Goenda. Career Chattopadhyay was born in 1941 in Khurut, Sasthitala, ...

* '' Professor Shonku'' by

* ''Rahasyer Sandhane'', ''Cent Rahasya'' (novels), ''Hans-saheber Behala'', ''Rimbor Aschorjo Putul'', ''Nafargarer Hambir Mahal'' (stories) by Rajesh Basu * '' Rappa Rayer Kando'' comics by Sujog Bondhopadhya * ''Rovers-er Roy'' (''

Roy of the Rovers ''Roy of the Rovers'' is a British comic strip about the life and times of a fictional footballer and later manager named Roy Race, who played for Melchester Rovers. The strip first appeared in the ''Tiger'' in 1954, before giving its name to a ...

'') comics (translated from English) * ''

Spider-Man Spider-Man is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, he first appeared in the anthology comic book ''Amazing Fantasy'' #15 (August 1962) in the Si ...

'' comics (translated from English) * ''

Tarzan Tarzan (John Clayton II, Viscount Greystoke) is a fictional character, an archetypal feral child raised in the African jungle by the Mangani great apes; he later experiences civilization, only to reject it and return to the wild as a heroic adv ...

'' comics (translated from English) * ''

Tenida Bhajahari Mukhujjee (Bengali: ভজহরি মুখার্জী), commonly known as Tenida (Bengali: টেনিদা) or Teni (see Tenida for ''da''), is a fictional native of Potoldanga in Calcutta, who appears in a number of short ...

'' comics by

Narayan Gangopadhyay Narayan Gangopadhyay (4 February 1918 – 8 November 1970), also known as Narayan Ganguly, was an Indian novelist, poet, essayist, and short story writer, and one of the leading writers of modern Bengali literature. He introduced the endearing ...

, with art by Arijit Dutt Chowdhury * Comics based on the stories by

Shibram Chakraborty Shibram Chakraborty (1903–1980) was a popular Bengali writer and humorist who is best known for his humorous stories. His best known short stories and novels are renowned for their unique use of pun, alliteration, play of words and ironic humo ...

, with art by Saurav Mukhopadhyay * Comics based on the stories by Parshuram ( Rajshekhar Bose)

Key writers

* Rajesh Basu * Debasis Bandyopadhyay *

* Dulendra Bhowmik *

Sanjeev Chattopadhyay Sanjib Chattopadhyay ( bn, সঞ্জীব চট্ট্যোপাধ্যায়; born 24 october 1936 in Kolkata, India) is an Indian Bengali novelist and writer of short stories. His style is characterized by use of short satirica ...

* Sukanto Gangopadhyay *

* Sailen Ghosh *

* Samaresh Majumdar *

* Moti Nandy * Anil Bhowmik *

* Nabanita Dev Sen

Key artists

Art and artists were always an important part of ''Anandamela'', thus giving birth to some memorable artistic talents. Among the large number of artists who illustrated the pages and covers of ''Anandamela'' are: * Kunal Barman * Onkar Nath Bhattacharya * Shubhaprasanna Bhattacharya * Krishnendu Chaki * Amitava Chandra * Abhijit Chattopadhyay * Subrata Chowdhury * Bimal Das * Saumen Das * Debasish Deb * Subrata Gangopadhyay * Pratyaybhaswar Jana * Sudhir Maitra * Roudra Mitra * Ahibhushan Malik * Prasenjit Nath *

* Anup Roy * Baishali Sarkar * Samir Sarkar

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

's new novel of the thriller series ''

'', along with a full-length ''

'' comic based on the story of

Oscar Oscar, OSCAR, or The Oscar may refer to: People * Oscar (given name), an Irish- and English-language name also used in other languages; the article includes the names Oskar, Oskari, Oszkár, Óscar, and other forms. * Oscar (Irish mythology) ...

-winning director

, illustrated by Abhijit Chattopadhyay. This special number features five to six full length complete novels, several short stories, features, and 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. Rupee is the common name for the currencies of India, Mauritius, Nepal, Pakistan, Seychelles, and Sri Lanka, and of former currencies of Afghanistan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, the United Arab Emirates (as the Gulf rupee), British East Africa, B ...

2.00 and it did not contain any cartoons. Sunil Gangopadhyay and Satyajit Ray are the only writers 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. After

Paulami Sengupta Paulami Sengupta (1969 – 17 October 2018) was an Indian poet and the executive editor of Bengali magazines under ABP House in India; including '' Desh'', '' Sananda'', a magazine for grown ups, ''Anandamela'', '' Unish Kuri'' and ''Anandalok''. ...

took charge as the editor, original comics based on Bengali literature were introduced, and all foreign comics were pulled, including ''

'', which was the hallmark and flagship brand of ''Anandamela''.

References

External links

Official website
{{ABP Group 1975 establishments in West Bengal ABP Group Bengali-language magazines Biweekly magazines published in India Children's magazines published in India Indian comics Magazines established in 1975 Mass media in Kolkata

History and profile

Popular series, novels, and stories

Key writers

Key artists

Special issue (Puja Number)

Other activities

Criticism

See also

References

External links