The Select Nonsense of Sukumar Ray

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About the Book:

Sukumar Ray is one of the greatest children's writers in Bengali, and undoubtedly the finest writer of nonsense tales and verse in the language. His father was Upendrakishore Ray, another children's writer and a pioneer of Indian printing. Satyajit Ray, who has contributed and introduction to this volume, was Sukumar's son.

Rhymes without Reason (Abol-Tabol) and A Topsy-Turvy Tale (Ha-Ja-Ba-Ra-La) are Sukumar Ray's most famous works. The first is a collection of nonsense poems and other comic verse. A Topsy-Turvy Tale is a dream fantasy-a little reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland, but the original creation of a remarkably fertile and inventive mind.

Sukanta Chaudhuri's translation includes 44 of the 52 pieces in Rhymes without Reason, and the full text of A Topsy-Turvy Tale barring a few short passages.

Sukumar Ray's original illustrations have been reproduced here.

About the Author:

Sukanta Chaudhuri is Professor of English at Jadavpur University, Calcutta.

Excerpts from Reviews:

'...some of the most brilliant nonsense rhymes and fantasies one hopes to come across in world literature. Nothing could be more outrageous or more original...magnificent fare...[an] excellent volume of translations.'

- The Times of India

'...extremely readable, unputdownable...should appeal to not only children but also adults with a sense of the absurd.'

- Indian Express

'What is remarkable about Chaudhuri's The Select Nonsense of Sukumar Ray is that it not only succeeds in recapturing the peculiar nuances of Sukumar's style but also in getting across to the reader the quitessence of Sukumar's humour, wit and satire.'

- The Telegraph

'[The] translations offer strong clear echoes of the originals...[a] fascinating book with its delightful illustrations, excellent layout, revealing introduction and punchy poetry.'

- Sunday Herald

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