Ichchamati

• Author: নবনীতা দেব সেন (Nabanita Dev Sen)
• Genre: Chotoder Boi (Children’s Book)
• Binding: Hardcover
• ISBN: 9788172158866
• Pages: 202
• Weight: 295 grams
• Languages: Bengali

About the Book:

• Plot: ইছামতী (Ichchamati) is an exquisite collection of twenty-seven fairy tale-like stories that blend imagination and reality. The stories feature a wide range of characters, from traditional kings, queens, princes, and princesses to unique creations like the farmer's son Mouralaprasad, woodcutter Katta, and more mythical beings like Shamukkumari (a princess snail), Rajhansdadu (the royal swan-grandfather), and Sarpakumaris (snake princesses). There are also witches and demons, making it a vibrant mix of fantasy, culture, and adventure. Each tale is carefully written for young readers, with delightful illustrations by Satyajit Ray and Krishnendu Chakraborty enhancing the storytelling.

Author Information:

• Name: নবনীতা দেব সেন (Nabanita Dev Sen)

• Birth: 1938, South Kolkata, India

• Education:

  • Bachelor's in English from Presidency College, Kolkata.
  • Master's in Comparative Literature from Jadavpur University, First Class.
  • Further studies at Harvard University (Master's with distinction) and Indiana University (Ph.D.).

• Career: Nabanita was a professor of Comparative Literature at Jadavpur University. She was also a renowned writer, specializing in fiction, essays, and travelogues, with a notable focus on children's literature.

• Personal Life: Married to Amartya Sen, the eminent economist.

• First Book: Published her first poetry book ‘প্রথম প্রত্যয়’ in 1959. Her debut novel ‘আমি অনুপম’ (Ami Anupam) was published in 1976 in Sharadiya Anandabazar.

• Awards and Recognition: Nabanita Dev Sen was known for her multifaceted writing and contributions to Bengali literature. Her works earned her respect both in academic and literary circles.

• Death: She passed away on 7 November 2019.