Derby

• Author: Binayak Bandyopadhyay
• Genre: Novel (Upanyas)
• Formats: Hardcover
• ISBN: 9789354251054
• Pages: 176
• Weight: 300 grams

Book Description:

Is Derby just the legendary rivalry between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan? Or is it also the eternal union of Ganga and Padma, symbolizing the shared destiny of Bengalis across borders?

Driven by the deep desire of Pritikana, a woman from Kolkata’s aristocratic Ghosh family, the exiled Bengali Anandakumar embarks on writing the history of the refugee Bengali community. This story is not just about their humiliation and struggles but also their resilience and rebirth. Anandakumar, his wife Sushama, and a village girl Baatasi—each of them, in their own way, rise like a Phoenix from the ashes of their past.

On the other side, Jayi’s world is painted in just two colors—green and maroon, the colors of Mohun Bagan. Her heartbeat syncs with just one rhythm—football. But how did her grandmother, the same Pritikana Choudhury, sign a 10-lakh-rupee cheque for East Bengal’s centenary celebrations just before a cerebral stroke?

The answer to this mystery takes Jayi through history, to the Chittagong Armoury Raid, to the birth of a girl on that fateful day, and to the intertwined fate of Jayi, Aranya, Swadhina, and Anandakumar—all bound together by football jerseys and family ties.

Binayak Bandyopadhyay’s Derby unites Netrokona, Nadia, and New York into a timeless portrait of Bengalis, painting a picture where an age-old people stand on a boat, holding torches aloft.

Key Themes & Features:

✔ A unique blend of history, sports, and personal stories
✔ Explores the Bengali refugee experience through multiple generations
✔ Football as a metaphor for identity, division, and unity
✔ Captures the passion and politics of the East Bengal-Mohun Bagan rivalry
✔ Weaves together real historical events with fictional storytelling

About the Author: Binayak Bandyopadhyay

• Born in Kolkata
• Son of renowned Sanskrit scholar Parashnath Bandyopadhyay and Gouri Bandyopadhyay
• Comes from a contrasting heritage—father’s side was destitute refugees, while his mother’s side belonged to the royal family of Maluti
• Literary Journey:
  • First poem published in South Point School Magazine
  • First short story in Unish-Kuri
  • First novel published in Sharadiya Desh (2007)
• Awards & Recognition:
  • Krittibas Puraskar for poetry
  • Bangla Akademi Shakti Chattopadhyay Puraskar
  • Bhashanagar Puraskar
  • Sharmila Ghosh Smriti Puraskar for prose
• International Recognition: Represented India at the Iowa International Writing Program (2014)
• Personal Beliefs: Disciple of Thakur Shri Shri Durgaprasanna Paramhansadev
• Passions: Old books, classic songs

With its deeply rooted Bengali identity, historical depth, and emotional intensity, Derby is more than just a novel—it’s a journey through time, culture, and passion