The Year’s Best 2024

About the Authors

Ansar Uddin was born in 1959 in Shaligram, West Bengal. After graduating from Krishnanagar College, he became a marginal farmer. His connection with farming and farm labor runs deep. Bengal’s village life is vivid in his writing. He has five collections of short stories and three novels to his name. He received the Galpa Mela Award in 2002, the Somen Chanda Award from the Bangla Academy in 2003, and the Ila Chanda Award from the Bangiya Sahitya Parishad, to name a few.

Bhupal Chakraborty is a professional freelance journalist with a deep engagement in literature. His debut poetry collection, Shankhabaniker Korat, showcases his lyrical prowess, while his short story collection, Kuluper Nagar, highlights his storytelling craft. Chakraborty explores diverse themes through his work, offering sharp insights into contemporary society and human experiences. His unique literary voice continues to make a mark in Bengali literature.

Biswadip De was born on November 17, 1980, in Kolkata. He holds a master’s degree in Bengali language and literature and began his career as a journalist while actively contributing to literature. An invited storyteller at Akashvani Kolkata, his writings have appeared in leading Bengali newspapers. He has published seven short stories and has been recognized with several literary honors, including the Epar Opar Sahitya Samman and the Shyamal Gangopadhyay Short Story Award. He was also a special prize recipient in the Anirban Roy Chowdhury Short Story Competition.

Debabrata Mukherjee (b. 1955) is a versatile writer adept in multiple genres, including poetry, fiction, drama, and rhymes. Born to Jagabandhu and Geeta Mukherjee, he began writing at a young age and has since established himself as a craftsman of poetry and storytelling. His literary journey started with poetry, with his debut collection Maharaj Ekti Jahaj Baro Bipode Aaj. His second poetry book, Ghum Bhanglei Ghum Bhange Na, was particularly well-received by readers. He later ventured into fiction, publishing his first collection of stories, Maayer Shonge Dekha, and his debut novel, Dakatir Adyopranto. Mukherjee’s recent works include Sera Dosh Bhoutik, a collection of ghost stories, further showcasing his narrative range and ability to captivate readers across genres.

Diparun Bhattacharya was born in 1980 in Kolkata and studied at Dr. Shyamaprasad Mukherjee Institution, Phoolbagan. He holds a B.E. in Electrical Engineering from Orissa Engineering College and has spent over two decades working in multinational companies. Having lived in Delhi, Bhubaneswar, Jamshedpur, and Mathura, he has spent much of his life outside Bengal. Bhattacharya’s literary journey began with poetry in his school years, and for over a decade, he has been writing prose. His serialized novel Nisango Nakshatra in Bartaman Weekly brought him widespread recognition. He continues contributing stories, books, and essays to commercial and independent publications. Among his notable works are Nisango Nakshatra, Upanyash, Nisango Mahua, and Magic, which showcase his versatility and depth as a writer.

Moushumi Roy was born on October 24, 1977, in Halishahar, an ancient town in North 24 Parganas. She holds a postgraduate degree in English Literature and Linguistics, earning first-class honors. A longtime educator, she teaches at a government higher secondary school while actively pursuing her literary interests. Writing in both Bengali and English, she explores poetry and short fiction. Her children’s book, Rhivu’s Diary, published in English in 2023, has gained a growing readership. Her works appear regularly in newspapers and literary magazines. Roy has been recognized with numerous literary accolades, including the Abhibyakto Golpo Puraskar (New Jersey), Pather Alap Sahitya Pratijogita Puraskar, Shyamal Gangopadhyay Short Story Award, Swadhinatar Best Story Writing Award (Ani Diary and Friends), and the Aami Banglay Kotha Koi – Shardiya Story Award (Ohio-Columbus, USA). She also received the Utpal Smriti Short Story Award from the Chinsurah Story Study Center’s Short Story Workshop.

Niharul Islam (b. February 12, 1967) hails from Harhari village in the Murshidabad district. A graduate of Calcutta University, he began his literary journey in the early 1990s. His first short story, Phuli, was published in Berhampur’s Rourab newspaper, though he initially gained recognition as a poet in Desh magazine. With over 350 short stories and 19 published books, Niharul Islam is a prolific voice in contemporary Bengali literature. Since 2000, he has also edited the irregular literary magazine Khoj. His contributions have been widely acknowledged, earning him accolades such as the Ila Chanda Memorial Award (2010), Somen Chanda Memorial Award (2010), Uttar Bangla Padak (2011), and Smt. Lipi Sarkar Nivedita Short Story Writer Award (2013), Golpo Mela Award (2015), Mallar Samman (2018), and Drishti Samman (2020). Deeply connected to his surroundings, Niharul finds inspiration in Bengal’s landscapes—its fields, rivers, forests, and villages. A resident of the border town of Lalgola since 1985, he enjoys fishing, birdwatching, and kite flying. Engaging closely with diverse communities, he devotes his time to teaching school dropouts at Bahadurpur Secondary Education Center while continuing to craft compelling narratives that capture the essence of life in rural Bengal.

Purba Kumar was born in Pandua, Hooghly district, and holds postgraduate degrees in English and Bengali literature. A teacher by profession, he is an accomplished short story writer whose works have been published in esteemed literary magazines and newspapers, including Kothasahitya, Mashik Krittivas, Saptahik Bartaman, The Daily Statesman, Lekhajoka, Tarunya, Pother Alap, Shatanik, Abagunthan, Dinanter Anweshan, Samokal, Bibriti, and Mocktail, as well as various webzines. His stories have also been featured in the anthology Dui Banglar Samakalin 50 and the special short story issue of Mashik Krittivas. His latest collection, Anupanchash, comprising 50 short stories, was published at the 2023 Book Fair.

Sadhan Das was born in 1953 into an illiterate washerman’s family in Bangaon, then part of the undivided 24 Parganas district. Growing up in poverty, he worked in the fields along the banks of the Ichhamati River. As a child, he struggled with speech, finding solace in writing rhymes to express his sorrow and pain. His first published work was a poem. His professional life took him across West Bengal, and during a posting in Berhampur in the late 1970s, he became involved with the magazine Rourab. His first short story, Choti, was published in the early 1980s. Drawn to the literary world, he made Berhampur his permanent home. However, after Rourab dissolved, he stopped writing for an extended period. Following his retirement in 2013, he returned to writing, often sharing his work on Facebook or sending pieces upon request. His only published collection of short stories, Prothom Galpo Sankalon, is a testament to his literary journey

Shatadal Mitra (b. 1961) hails from Lavpur, Birbhum, and resides in Kolkata. A printing technician by profession, he is also the editor of Kathak, a literary magazine. A prolific writer, Mitra’s body of work spans poetry, short stories, and novels. His published poetry collections include Goriye Dilam Kotha, Likhi Nodijol, Munibaan, Pora Mrittika Harano Jonmo, Ratri Likhi Rodrer Aakhre, Bibhab Kobitaguchho, and Dhatrijol. His short story collections include Shaalgaachh/Atiloukik Akhyanguchho and Naren Bhandarir Jibonbrittantyo Nishitala. He has also authored several novels, such as Maatir Durgo, Khanandihi, and Geolbot/ Neemjibon Kotha. Mitra’s literary contributions reflect a deep engagement with Bengali culture, history, and folklore, making him a distinctive voice in contemporary Bengali literature.

Shuddhendu Chakraborty (b. 1980, Kolkata) may have been born in the city, but his heart belongs to the villages, small towns, and forested ruins where he has spent most of his life. These landscapes deeply influenced his writing, shaping his novels and poetry’s atmospheric and immersive worlds. His debut poetry collection, Akashpalak (2014), and his first novel, Kaktarua, were widely appreciated. Over the years, he has authored several acclaimed books, including Bindu.com, Keka, Khonik Basanta, and Chaitrarath. A psychologist by profession, Chakraborty is also a prolific thriller writer, creating compelling narratives featuring popular characters like Dr. Ashutosh Mukherjee and Arkaprabh Sanyal. His thrillers include Nairbyaktik, Marankup, Sahebbaandh Rahasya, Manikantha, and Brihannala Animamasi. Beyond thrillers, he has explored social narratives in works like Chupnagarer Agyatbas. Outside of writing, he finds inspiration in music, painting, and spontaneous travel—passions that seamlessly weave into his storytelling.

Sukanta Gangopadhyay has been writing novels regularly since his first story, “Camera,” was published in the Desh newspaper in 1994. He also frequently writes children’s stories. “Deepkaku,” which he wrote for his teenage readers, is a popular detective character. So far, thirty-five novels and about two hundred of his stories have been published. He had been associated with photo printing for some time. Currently, he is a full-time writer

About the Translators

Ahana Bhattacharjee is a first-year postgraduate student at the Department of Comparative Literature, Jadavpur University. She loves reading and writing.

Ananya Sasaru (she/her/hers) is a passionate lecturer and a Ph.D. research scholar working on post-war European cinema and feminist architecture. She holds a master’s degree and an MPhil in English Literature from the University of Calcutta. A voracious reader and a Virginia Woolf fan, she likes to play with words by posting social media snippets or translating stories. She is also into regular journaling and exchanges letters with penfriends across continents. An ardent feminist and a mental health advocate, she loves anything continental—food or philosophy!

A bilingual writer and translator, Bishnupriya Chowdhuri leads the editorial team at The Antonym Collections. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Central Florida and an MA in Comparative Literature from Jadavpur University.She translates short fiction, creative non-fiction, memoirs, and experimental, lyrical prose from Bengali to English. Her first translated novel, No One As Rano Biswas by Alokparna, was published in 2023. Her other works include Nandalal: The Boy with the Magic of Lines and Library of Lost Birds: A Memoir. She has edited Flaming Flowers: Women Writers from Bengal, Bangladesh, and Beyond, Vol. 1, and Year’s Best: Best Bengali Short Stories in Translation: 2022. Besides writing, she keeps close to her daughter’s hands, afternoon breezes, and the jade plants that seem to know everything.

Nadia Imam is an associate editor at The Antonym Collections and has an MA in English Literature from Jadavpur University. She translates from Bengali to English and has so far translated Once Upon the Queens, a collection of “gender-upturned” short stories for children. She is currently working on her first translated novel. She has edited Flaming Flowers: Women Writers from Bengal, Bangladesh, and Beyond Vol. 2, an anthology of short stories by Bengali women authors, and Courtyard and the Kitchen, a food memoir. Besides writing, she is passionate about food, dance, and her podcast.

Pritha Banerjee completed her Master’s in English Language and Literature at the University of Delhi and received the National Essay-writing Award from the SREI Foundation in 2014. She talks to her students about kittens and turtles when not reading. She loves to travel, explore the local cuisine, and learn about the regional literature of all the places she visits.

Subhashis Gangopadhyay is a poet, critic, essayist, and bilingual translator who writes in Bengali and English and has several books of poetry and prose to his credit. A co-editor of the well-acclaimed Bengali poetry magazine Kabitapakshik, his poems, translations, and literary critiques have been published in different Bengali little magazines, in e-zines like Black Robert Journal, Kaurab, Moria, and in the Indian Literature—the Sahitya Akademi’s (National Academy of Letters) bimonthly journal featuring original works in English and English translations of works in regional Indian languages.

Sukti Sarkar retired as an Assistant Manager of the Reserve Bank of India. She is interested in literature and history, is a passionate traveler, and works as a theater worker in Kolkata. She often volunteers for social/community causes organized by NGOs in the city. In addition to contributing book reviews to little magazines, she also tries literary translation.

About the Editor

Biswadip Chakraborty is an engineer, writer, restaurateur, and travel enthusiast. He has four books of fiction in Bengali to his credit. He is also the founder and director of Antonym Collection and Antonym Council of Global Art and Literature.

Read some of his works.