Kalpabiswa Newsletter Vol 09, Issue I
Dear Readers of the World and Beyond It, Kalpabiswa is delighted to share the first newsletter in the Autumn Edition, 2024. Our readers are growing at a surprising rate, and it is time to share the various achievements of Kalpabiswa throughout the last year.
Let us begin with significant news for the global Science Fiction community our editor Dip Ghosh was the only Indian to receive an official invitation from the committee to attend Science Fiction Worldcon in Chengdu in 2023. It is a privilege to have him here.
We proceed with Ujjwal Ghosh, the master illustrator who has debunked the myth that a book shouldn’t be judged by its cover. Well, the cover is the first point of contact between us. His illustrations across various books and magazine issues of Kalpabiswa have received widespread acclaim. His talent has been acknowledged on the global stage. The eminent French science fiction magazine Galaxies Science Fiction, Edition 86, features an awe-inspiring cover designed by our own Ujjwal Ghosh, which depicts a futuristic India in 2222 A.D.
The 86th issue of this magazine boasts an engaging interview with the founding member and editor of Kalpabiswa, Dip Ghosh. Galaxie Science Fiction also featured a translated work of Sumit Bardhan, one of the most world-builders in science fiction, author of numerous works, and also of Avarice, the first Indian steampunk detective thriller.
Goutam Mandal, one of the most significant members of Kalpabiswa Publication, the famous author of the well-received novel Khelaghor (The Game Room, 2023), which is considered the first Indian Gaming Fantasy novel, is getting featured with his contribution in India’s first Anti-Caste Anthology.
This highly speculated work is titled, The Blaft Book of Anti-Caste SF edited by R. Talitha Samuel, Rakesh K., and Rashmi R.D. and will be internationally released in December 2024.
Sahitya Akademi, the Indian National Academy of Letters, is the most illustrious and established institution in India devoted to the promotion of literature across several languages. Sahitya Akademi’s famous Journal Edition 339 (January–February 2024) offered a unique section ‘Our Own Science Fiction’ comprising several works of science fiction in our country. Editors and writers connected to Kalpabiswa are pleased to have been included in this highly regarded issue.
This section featured the works of well-known Indian science fiction names Dip Ghosh and Sumit Bardhan. The science fiction story written by our author, Anushtup Sett, and translated by Arunava Sinha was also published in the aforementioned issue. Goutam Mandal’s highly praised essay on Bengali science fiction also made it to the prestigious Sahitya Akademi.
Kalpabiswa Publication has been translating and publishing the works of celebrated science fiction writers like Arthur C. Clarke, Aldous Huxley, Arthur Conan Doyle, Ray Bradbury, Carlos Suchowolski Kohn, Elizabeth Bear, and Edgar Allan Poe, among others. We are pleased to announce that Hugo Award-winning author Cixin Liu’s science fiction novella, The Wandering Earth (2000), will be translated into Bengali by Kalpabiswa.
Kalpabiswa also made its mark in the Kolkata Book Fair, 2024, the largest book fair in Asia. It was bestowed the official award for the Best Stall (small stall category). Our stall witnessed the presence of enthusiastic readers, researchers, editors, publishers, and artists.
We would like to mention a few noteworthy visitors like Suparno Banerjee (Science fiction author and Professor at Texas University), Mimi Mondal (Hugo and Nebula Nominee), Appupen (eminent writer and artist), Arunava Sinha (acclaimed translator), and Taiyo Fuji (Seiun awardee in Japan) among others.
Kalpabiswa is committed to developing the Speculative Fiction community with discussions, book reviews, book launches, exchange of ideas, brain-jamming sessions, and most importantly, an abode to be with each other in the search for newer avenues in the field. Kalpabiswa has taken a step to build a haven for readers, editors, critics, artists, and nerds. A place where they can let themselves loose in discussions about Science Fiction vs. Fantasy, Epic Fantasy vs. Tolkien Fantasy, Star Wars vs. Star Trek, Kirk vs. Picard, Comics vs. Anime, DC vs. Marvel, or Is Space the Final Frontier, and the other burning topics related to Science Fiction and other genres too. You are invited to visit the newly inaugurated Office of Kalpabiswa Publication at College Street, one of the oldest book markets across the buildings of the University of Calcutta, Presidency College, and Calcutta Medical College. We have a nickname for this place, TONG GHOR (Tong—Located at the Terrace, Ghor—Home).
Welcome to our Tong Ghar. Step in with your eccentric and bizarre ideas and look for books, posters, t-shirts, and other collectibles.
Let me tell you a secret: occasionally we have visits from aliens from distant galaxies. We have free parking for spacecraft and an open deck as a result. You don’t need to explain Vulcan Salute, we revert with Vulcan Salute at our Tong Ghar. Also, the idea of Tong Ghor is heavily inspired by one of the most heavyweight characters (though he was a slim guy) in Bengali Literature written by Premendra Mitra, one who used to reside at 72, Banamali Naskar Lane.
Continue reading Speculative Fiction until we reveal the next edition of our newsletter.
May the Force of Reading Be with You!
Tags: English Section, Newsletter, নবম বর্ষ প্রথম সংখ্যা