- Source: Anandamela
Anandamela, Anondamela, or Anondomela (Bengali: আনন্দমেলা) is a children's periodical in Bengali published by the ABP Group in Kolkata, India.
History and profile
The first issue of Anandamela appeared in March 1975. Satyajit Ray designed the cover of first issue. The magazine is published fortnightly. It has been edited by several eminent personalities at different times, including the poet Nirendranath Chakravarty, Ashok Kumar Sarkar, and Debasish Bandopadhyay. The current 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 began writing for children through Anandamela. For example, Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay gained recognition as a children's author after his serial novel Manojder Adbhut Baari was published in Anandamela. On 19 June 2004, Anandamela split up into two different magazines: the original Anandamela (for children aged 8 – 14) and Unish Kuri (for teens and young adults aged 15 – 25).
Popular series, novels, and stories
Aranyadeb (The Phantom) comics (translated from English)
Archie Comics (translated from English)
Arjun by Samaresh Majumdar
Asterix comics written by René Goscinny and illustrated by Albert Uderzo (translated from French)
Bagha (Tiger) comic (translated from English)
Batman comics (translated from English)
Chander Pahar comics by Bibhutibhusan Bandyopadhyay, with art by Sidhhartha Chaterjee
Dodo & Tatai by Tarapada Roy
Doohsahosi Tintin (The Adventures of Tintin) comics by Hergé (translated from French)
Dosyi Dennis (Dennis the Menace) comics (translated from English)
Dyuti, Hitoishi and Young Detective Kabulda by Rajesh Basu
Ekenbabu series by Sujan Dasgupta
Feluda comics by Satyajit Ray, art by Abhijit Chattopadhyay
Flash Gordon comics
Gablu (Henry) comics (translated from English)
Ghanada by Premendra Mitra
Gogol by Samaresh Basu
Gupi & Panu by Leela Majumdar
He-Man Comics (translated from English)
Jo-Jet-Jocko (Jo, Zette and Jocko) comics by Hergé (translated from French)
Kakababu by Sunil Gangopadhyay
Kalaboti by Moti Nandy
Kikira by Bimal Kar
DiThi, Kalpyo, Srunit 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
Pandab Goenda by Sasthipada Chattopadhyay
Professor Shonku by Satyajit Ray
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) comics (translated from English)
Spider-Man comics (translated from English)
Tarzan comics (translated from English)
Tenida comics by Narayan Gangopadhyay, with art by Arijit Dutt Chowdhury
Comics based on the stories by Shibram Chakraborty, with art by Saurav Mukhopadhyay
Comics based on the stories by Parshuram (Rajshekhar Bose)
Key writers
Rajesh Basu
Debasis Bandyopadhyay
Samaresh Basu
Suchitra Bhattacharya
Dulendra Bhowmik
Sanjeev Chattopadhyay
Sukanto Gangopadhyay
Sunil Gangopadhyay
Sailen Ghosh
Bimal Kar
Samaresh Majumdar
Premendra Mitra
Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay
Moti Nandy
Anil Bhowmik
Satyajit Ray
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
Satyajit Ray
Anup Roy
Baishali Sarkar
Samir Sarkar
Special issue (Puja Number)
In October, the Bengali festive month, Anandamela is published in a special edition of nearly 400 pages. This edition features Sunil Gangopadhyay's new novel in the thriller series Kakababu, as well as full-length Feluda comic based on a story by Oscar-winning director Satyajit Ray, illustrated by Abhijit Chattopadhyay. The special issue includes five to six complete novels, several short stories, features, and three complete comic strips, some of which extend up to 60 pages.
Although the regular fortnightly issues of Anandamela started much later, the Puja Number began in 1971. Its price was Rs. 2.00, and it did not contain any cartoons. Sunil Gangopadhyay and Satyajit Ray are the only writers whose work has appeared in every Puja Number of Anandamela since the magazine's inception.
Other activities
The Anandamela Club has a paid membership system that arranges various programs, competitions, and activities throughout the year for children.
Criticism
Anandamela has faced criticism in the past for its over-reliance on foreign comics. After Paulami Sengupta took charge as the editor, original comics based on Bengali literature were introduced, and all foreign comics were pulled, including The Adventures of Tintin, which was the hallmark and flagship brand of Anandamela.
See also
Unish Kuri, sister publication of Anandamela
References
External links
Official website