Professor Shanku
Encyclopedia
Satyajit Ray
Satyajit Ray was an Indian Bengali filmmaker. He is regarded as one of the greatest auteurs of 20th century cinema. Ray was born in the city of Kolkata into a Bengali family prominent in the world of arts and literature...
in a series of Bangla science fiction
Bangla Science Fiction
Bengali science fiction is a rich part of Bengali literature. Although it is not as established as other genres in the Bengali language, it is gaining popularity among Bengali readers, especially in Bangladesh.-Earliest writers:...
books. His full name is Trilokeshwar Shanku, and by occupation, he is an inventor. He is the son of Dr. Tripureshwar Shanku. The family name Shanku is caste-less and class-less, as seen by the norms of Bengali Hindu society.
According to the Calcutta based English-language newspaper The Statesman
The Statesman
The Statesman is an Indian English-language broadsheet daily newspaper founded in 1875 and published simultaneously in Kolkata, New Delhi, Siliguri and Bhubaneswar. The Statesman is owned by The Statesman Ltd., its headquarters at Statesman House, Chowringhee Square, Calcutta and its national...
(dated January 11, 2002), Professor Shanku's father Tripureshwar was a physician. Professor Shanku was born on June 16. His nickname is Tilu. Professor Shanku passed matriculation examination of the University of Calcutta
University of Calcutta
The University of Calcutta is a public university located in the city of Kolkata , India, founded on 24 January 1857...
at the age of 15. At the age of 16, Professor Shanku received his BSc degree with honours in two subjects, Physics and Chemistry. At the age of 20, he joined the Scottish Church College in Calcutta as a professor of Physics.
Professor Shanku is a polyglot who knows 69 languages. His pet cat 'Newton' is 24 years old.
By his own admission, Satyajit Ray had based Prof. Shonku on Professor Challenger
Professor Challenger
George Edward Challenger, better known as Professor Challenger, is a fictional character in a series of science fiction stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle...
, by Arthur Conan Doyle
Arthur Conan Doyle
Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle DL was a Scottish physician and writer, most noted for his stories about the detective Sherlock Holmes, generally considered a milestone in the field of crime fiction, and for the adventures of Professor Challenger...
. The other important character in Satyajit Ray's novels and short stories is the sleuth
Sleuth
-Theatre and film:*Sleuth , a 1970 play by Anthony Shaffer*Sleuth , a film adaptation of the Anthony Shaffer play, directed by Joseph L...
Feluda
Feluda
Feluda, or Prodosh Chandra Mitra, who uses the anglicised name Pradosh C. Mitter, is a fictional private investigator starring in a series of Bengali novels and short stories written by the famous Indian Bengali film director and writer Satyajit Ray. The detective lives at Rajani Sen Road,...
, who is of the same professiona as Conan Doyle's famous private detective, Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes is a fictional detective created by Scottish author and physician Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The fantastic London-based "consulting detective", Holmes is famous for his astute logical reasoning, his ability to take almost any disguise, and his use of forensic science skills to solve...
.
Professor Shanku books
Professor ShonkuProfessor Shonku (short story collection)
Professor Shonku is a short story collection by Satyajit Ray, featuring the eponymous character, Professor Shonku. It was first published in India by NewScript Publications, Calcutta, in 1965...
New Script, Calcutta 1965.
Containing :
- "Byomjatrir DiaryByomjatrir Diary"Byomjatrir Diary" was the first story of Professor Shanku series by Indian writer Satyajit Ray. It was first published in Sandesh, edited by Ray himself, in 1961. Ray included this story in his first collection of Professor Shanku stories, Professor Shanku, in 1965...
" (Sandesh September November 1961), - Professor Shonku o Har (Sandesh, Jan. 1964),
- Professor Shonku o MacawMacawMacaws are small to large, often colourful New World parrots. Of the many different Psittacidae genera, six are classified as macaws: Ara, Anodorhynchus, Cyanopsitta, Primolius, Orthopsittaca, and Diopsittaca...
(Sandesh, Autumn 1964), - Professor Shonku o Egyptio Aatonko (Sandesh, April 1963),
- Professor Shonku o Ashcharya Putul (Sandesh, March 1965),
- Professor Shonku o Golok Rahasya (Sandesh, May 1965),
- Professor Shonku o Chi Ching (Sandesh, Autumn 1965).
Later editions have two more stories:
- Professor Shonku o Khoka (Sandesh, July 1967),
- Professor Shonku o Bhoot (Ashcharya, Autumn 1966)
Professor Shonkur Kandokarkhana (Professor Shonku's Deeds). Ananda Publishers
Ananda Publishers
Ananda Publishers is a large publishing group with headquarters in Kolkata. It publishes numerous Bengali books by many renowned authors. It has one of the largest stalls in the Kolkata Book Fair, and is often awarded a prize for its stall. Ananda Publishers is the division of ABP...
, Calcutta 1970.
Containing;
- Professor Shonku o Robo (Sandesh, February and March 1968),
- Professor Shonku o Kochabambar Guha (Sandesh, May 1969),
- Professor Shonku o Raktamatsya Rahashya (Sandesh, May and June 1968),
- Professor Shanku o Gorilla (Sandesh, Autumn 1969),
- Professor Shonku o Baghdad-er Baksa (Sandesh, March and April 1970)
Shabash Professor Shonku (Bravo Professor Shonku). Ananda Publishers
Ananda Publishers
Ananda Publishers is a large publishing group with headquarters in Kolkata. It publishes numerous Bengali books by many renowned authors. It has one of the largest stalls in the Kolkata Book Fair, and is often awarded a prize for its stall. Ananda Publishers is the division of ABP...
, Calcutta 1974.
Containing:
- Ashcharya Pranee (Sandesh, Autumn 1971),
- Swapnadweep (Sandesb, May and June 1971),
- Moru Rahasya (Sandesh, May and June 1972),
- CorvusCorvusCorvus may refer to:* Corvus , the crows and ravens* Corvus * Corvus , a weapon used on Roman ships during the First Punic War* Marcus Valerius Corvus, a 4th-century BC Roman...
(AnandamelaAnandamelaAnandamela or, Anondamela, or, Anonodomela is a children's periodical in the Bengali language published by ABP Limited from Kolkata, India...
, Autumn 1972), - Dr. Sering er Smaramsakti (AnandamelaAnandamelaAnandamela or, Anondamela, or, Anonodomela is a children's periodical in the Bengali language published by ABP Limited from Kolkata, India...
, Autumn 1974)
Mahasankatey Shonku (Shonku in Deep Peril). Ananda Publishers
Ananda Publishers
Ananda Publishers is a large publishing group with headquarters in Kolkata. It publishes numerous Bengali books by many renowned authors. It has one of the largest stalls in the Kolkata Book Fair, and is often awarded a prize for its stall. Ananda Publishers is the division of ABP...
, Calcutta 1977.
Containing:
- Shonku'r Shanir Dasha (AnandamelaAnandamelaAnandamela or, Anondamela, or, Anonodomela is a children's periodical in the Bengali language published by ABP Limited from Kolkata, India...
, Autumn 1976), - Shonku'r Subarna Sujog (Sandesh, April, May and June 1977),
- Hipnogen (Sandesh, April, May and June 1976)
Swayang Professor Shonku (None other than Professor Shonku). Ananda Publishers, Calcutta 1980.
Containing:
- Monro Dweeper Rahasya (Aanandamela, Autumn 1977),
- Compu (Anandamela, Autumn 1978),
- Ek Shringa Abhijan, (Sandesh, December 1973 April 1974)
Shonku Ekai Aksho (Shonku, All in All). Ananda Publishers
Ananda Publishers
Ananda Publishers is a large publishing group with headquarters in Kolkata. It publishes numerous Bengali books by many renowned authors. It has one of the largest stalls in the Kolkata Book Fair, and is often awarded a prize for its stall. Ananda Publishers is the division of ABP...
, Calcutta 1983.
Containing:
- Mahakasher Doot (AnandamelaAnandamelaAnandamela or, Anondamela, or, Anonodomela is a children's periodical in the Bengali language published by ABP Limited from Kolkata, India...
, Autumn 1979), - Shonku'r Congo Abhijan. (AnandamelaAnandamelaAnandamela or, Anondamela, or, Anonodomela is a children's periodical in the Bengali language published by ABP Limited from Kolkata, India...
, Autumn 198 1), - Nakurbabu o El DoradoEl DoradoEl Dorado is the name of a Muisca tribal chief who covered himself with gold dust and, as an initiation rite, dived into a highland lake.Later it became the name of a legendary "Lost City of Gold" that has fascinated – and so far eluded – explorers since the days of the Spanish Conquistadors...
(AnandamelaAnandamelaAnandamela or, Anondamela, or, Anonodomela is a children's periodical in the Bengali language published by ABP Limited from Kolkata, India...
, Autmnn 1980), - Professor Shonku o UFO (AnandamelaAnandamelaAnandamela or, Anondamela, or, Anonodomela is a children's periodical in the Bengali language published by ABP Limited from Kolkata, India...
, Autumn, 1982)
Punashcha Shonku (Shonku once again). Ananda Publishers
Ananda Publishers
Ananda Publishers is a large publishing group with headquarters in Kolkata. It publishes numerous Bengali books by many renowned authors. It has one of the largest stalls in the Kolkata Book Fair, and is often awarded a prize for its stall. Ananda Publishers is the division of ABP...
, Calcutta
1993.
Containing:
- Ashcharjantu (AnandamelaAnandamelaAnandamela or, Anondamela, or, Anonodomela is a children's periodical in the Bengali language published by ABP Limited from Kolkata, India...
, Autumn 1983), - Shonku o Adim Manush (AnandamelaAnandamelaAnandamela or, Anondamela, or, Anonodomela is a children's periodical in the Bengali language published by ABP Limited from Kolkata, India...
, Autumn 1986), - Shonkur Paralok Charcha (AnandamelaAnandamelaAnandamela or, Anondamela, or, Anonodomela is a children's periodical in the Bengali language published by ABP Limited from Kolkata, India...
, Autumn 1987), - Professor Rondy'r Time MachineTime travelTime travel is the concept of moving between different points in time in a manner analogous to moving between different points in space. Time travel could hypothetically involve moving backward in time to a moment earlier than the starting point, or forward to the future of that point without the...
(AnandamelaAnandamelaAnandamela or, Anondamela, or, Anonodomela is a children's periodical in the Bengali language published by ABP Limited from Kolkata, India...
, Autumn 1985)
Selam Professor Shonku (Hats off, Professor Shonku). Ananda Publishers
Ananda Publishers
Ananda Publishers is a large publishing group with headquarters in Kolkata. It publishes numerous Bengali books by many renowned authors. It has one of the largest stalls in the Kolkata Book Fair, and is often awarded a prize for its stall. Ananda Publishers is the division of ABP...
, Calcutta, 1995.
Containing:
- Nefrudet er Samadhi (Sandesh, Autumn, 1986),
- Dr. Danieli'r Abishkar (Sandesh, Autumn 1988),
- Shonku o Frankenstein (AnandamelaAnandamelaAnandamela or, Anondamela, or, Anonodomela is a children's periodical in the Bengali language published by ABP Limited from Kolkata, India...
, Autumn 1988), - Don Christobaldi'r Bhabishyadbani (AnandamelaAnandamelaAnandamela or, Anondamela, or, Anonodomela is a children's periodical in the Bengali language published by ABP Limited from Kolkata, India...
, Autumn 1989), - Swarnaparnee (AnandamelaAnandamelaAnandamela or, Anondamela, or, Anonodomela is a children's periodical in the Bengali language published by ABP Limited from Kolkata, India...
, Autumn 1990), - Intelectron (AnandamelaAnandamelaAnandamela or, Anondamela, or, Anonodomela is a children's periodical in the Bengali language published by ABP Limited from Kolkata, India...
, Autumn 1992), - Dreksel Island er Ghatana (AnandamelaAnandamelaAnandamela or, Anondamela, or, Anonodomela is a children's periodical in the Bengali language published by ABP Limited from Kolkata, India...
, Autumn 1992)
The character
The real name of Professor Shanku is Trilokeshwar Shanku. He lives in GiridihGiridih
Giridih is headquarters of the Giridih district of Jharkhand state, India. The literal meaning of Giridih is the land of hills & hillocks - giri, a Hindi word, means hills and dih, another word of the local dialect, indicates upland...
beside the river Usri. He has a male-servant named Prahllad and a cat named Newton living in the house.
In his story "The Astronaut's Diary" (Byomjatrir diary) Ray introduced Professor Shonku, the protagonist of his science-fiction stories.
Other frequent characters
- Abinash Chatterjee/Majumdar (Abinash babu) - the completely non-scientific neighbor and friend who never understands the magnitude of Shonku's scientific breakthroughs and often finds them humiliating or amusing or insignificant.
- Nakur Chandra Biswas — the man with supernatural power of predicting the future which he had from a ball lightningBall lightningBall lightning is an unexplained atmospheric electrical phenomenon. The term refers to reports of luminous, usually spherical objects which vary from pea-sized to several metres in diameter. It is usually associated with thunderstorms, but lasts considerably longer than the split-second flash of a...
incident. - Jeremy Saunders — the British scientist residing in London (as mentioned in Shornoporni).
- Wilhelm Krol — German scientist with interests on paranormal activities — quite unmindful (as described in Ekshringo Abhijan).
- Prohlad — Shonku's trusted servant and housekeeper for a long time.
- Newton- Shonku's long time pet cat
The inventions
He has his own laboratory there in his house in Giridi where he researches for loads of new and fantastic inventions.Some of his extraordinary inventions are:
- Miracurall - A drug capsule that cures any ailment except common cold, the name is a short form of Miracle Cure for All Ailments.
- Annihillin - A pistol capable of annihilating (vanishing or vapourizing) anything that is living.... invented because Shonku does not like bloodshed It does not work on non living things (according to Shonku'r Congo Abhijan).
- Shankoplane - A small hovercraft created using anti-gravityAnti-gravityAnti-gravity is the idea of creating a place or object that is free from the force of gravity. It does not refer to the lack of weight under gravity experienced in free fall or orbit, or to balancing the force of gravity with some other force, such as electromagnetism or aerodynamic lift...
technology, capable of vertical take-off and landing and magnificent mileage. - Shankovite - The anti-gravityAnti-gravityAnti-gravity is the idea of creating a place or object that is free from the force of gravity. It does not refer to the lack of weight under gravity experienced in free fall or orbit, or to balancing the force of gravity with some other force, such as electromagnetism or aerodynamic lift...
alloy by which Shankoplane was made. - Omniscope - A combination of telescope and microscope, which looks like and can be worn as spectacles.
- Air-conditioning pill - A capsule to be kept in shirt pocket, that keeps the body temperature normal in extremes of climate.
- Somnolin - A sleeping pill that will work in any condition.
- Evolutin - A drug that makes people evolve 10 thousand years in 5 minutes.
- Compudium - Short for Computerized Medium, a device to contact departed souls.
- Remembrane- A device that makes people remember the things he forgot.
- Robu - A robot built with very cheap materials, programmed to answer any question asked to it.
- Linguagraph - A device that translates any earth language to any other. The translation capability is supposed to include animal languages, and works on cats, plants, ants and even viruses too. However, it does not work to translate speech of aliens.
- Compu - A computer brain designed by Shanku and other scientists, which later develops AIArtificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence is the intelligence of machines and the branch of computer science that aims to create it. AI textbooks define the field as "the study and design of intelligent agents" where an intelligent agent is a system that perceives its environment and takes actions that maximize its...
via an accident. - Intellectron - A device to measure intelligence.
- Ornithon - A device to educate birds. Professor Shanku was able to "educate" a crow named Corvus using this device.
- Snuff Gun - A gun that causes snuffing for thirty three hours.
- Pill for Nightmare - Causes sleep and makes the taker have terrible nightmares.
The adventures
Professor Shanku had many adventures, in both real and fantastical places, some with historical leanings and some with great revelations connected to human civilisation.Excerpts of some interesting adventures follow:
- Professor Shonku o Khoka:
A child who otherwise used to be normal, has "changed" after he fell and hurt his head. Once happy and normal, this child has become melancholy and speaks things which the parents do not follow and term as gibberish. The parents desperately seek help to get their boy back. A doctor finally suggests to see Shanku. Although initially Shanku was reluctant to see this boy as practicing medicines is not his profession — after he sees the boy it soon becomes obvious that this is indeed an extraordinary case worthy of his attention. What appeared as gibberish to his parents were actually meaningful facts which should normally be well beyond his or many other peoples reach, spoken in many different languages which the child had no way to learn. He also demonstrates psychic ability, where the flash of a camera stops working after he declares he doesn't want to be pictured but the reporter insists. Although the child seems to be omniscient
Omniscience
Omniscience omniscient point-of-view in writing) is the capacity to know everything infinitely, or at least everything that can be known about a character including thoughts, feelings, life and the universe, etc. In Latin, omnis means "all" and sciens means "knowing"...
, he appears sad and detached from the material world. The story ends when the child concocts a potion by mixing several very dangerous chemicals and acids, some of which were Shanku's own inventions, and gulps it down before Shanku had a chance to stop him. A short period of unconsciousness follows, after which the child wakes up as his normal old self. He then makes friends with Shanku, states he has no memory of things which happened in the last few days, and even asks for chocolates.
- Professor Shonku o Har:
Professor Shanku meets a fakir
Fakir
The fakir or faqir ; ) Derived from faqr is a Muslim Sufi ascetic in Middle East and South Asia. The Faqirs were wandering Dervishes teaching Islam and living on alms....
who has this ability to re-animate a living thing from its bones. Shonku tries to investigate, which enrages the fakir and the causes him to curse Shanku. Later in his life, Shanku discovers the remains of a dinosaur in a cave along with an assistant. The curse starts to take effect and the dinosaur comes back to life.
- Professor Shonku o Golok Rahasya:
Shanku gets hold of a mysterious sphere which changes its color spontaneously and emanates various sounds. In fact, the sphere is a planet from another solar system and it has brought extraterrestrial life along.
- Swapnadwip:
The Professor is haunted by a repeating dream where he along, with his friends, are stranded on a beautiful exotic island without any inhabitants. His friends also experience the same dream. It is as if the mysterious island is beckoning great scientists of the world to it.
- Ek Shringo Avijan:
Shanku goes to Tibet, to find out about a Unicorn
Unicorn
The unicorn is a legendary animal from European folklore that resembles a white horse with a large, pointed, spiraling horn projecting from its forehead, and sometimes a goat's beard...
which is reported to be seen there. In the adventure, Shanku discovers a place where everybody's dreams come true... a Utopia
Utopia
Utopia is an ideal community or society possessing a perfect socio-politico-legal system. The word was imported from Greek by Sir Thomas More for his 1516 book Utopia, describing a fictional island in the Atlantic Ocean. The term has been used to describe both intentional communities that attempt...
.
- Mahakasher doot:
Shanku tries to prove that human civilization has prospered thanks to the help of some alien civilisation that comes to Earth every 5000 years and teaches them something extraordinary. What are they going to reveal this time?
- Nakurbabau o El Dorado:
Nokurbabu has the ability to make others see what he is thinking. He and Shanku are caught in a chain of events that lead them to the deep jungles of South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
where El Dorado
El Dorado
El Dorado is the name of a Muisca tribal chief who covered himself with gold dust and, as an initiation rite, dived into a highland lake.Later it became the name of a legendary "Lost City of Gold" that has fascinated – and so far eluded – explorers since the days of the Spanish Conquistadors...
has always eluded discovery.
- Professor Shonku o UFO:
Several sightings of UFOs makes headlines worldwide. However, this news is outdone by the news of the demolition of some of the greatest monuments of mankind. The Eiffel Tower
Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is a puddle iron lattice tower located on the Champ de Mars in Paris. Built in 1889, it has become both a global icon of France and one of the most recognizable structures in the world...
and the Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat is a temple complex at Angkor, Cambodia, built for the king Suryavarman II in the early 12th century as his state temple and capital city. As the best-preserved temple at the site, it is the only one to have remained a significant religious centre since its foundation – first Hindu,...
are destroyed, and the aliens are blamed. Nokurbabu joins Shanku and other scientists who discover that the UFO has its base in the Gobi desert. They find the UFO and go aboard. They are captured immediately, not by the aliens, but by a mad scientist who is the present owner of the UFO and who is in fact the destroyer of the monuments, driven because he was denied his due honour in the scientific community. His next target is the Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal is a white Marble mausoleum located in Agra, India. It was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal...
.
- Swarnaparnee:
This is the story of a young Shanku when he visited Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
on the eve of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. A fascinating story about how Shanku went on to meet Hermann Goering and finally evaded the Nazis
Nazism
Nazism, the common short form name of National Socialism was the ideology and practice of the Nazi Party and of Nazi Germany...
.