Feluda, Pradosh C Mitter
Created | Updated May 24, 2010
Feluda, also known as Pradosh C Mitter, is a detective character, created by Satyajit Ray (1921-1992), the Oscar-winning film-director from Kolkata1, India. Originally written in Bengali, the stories2 were later translated into many languages. Quite a few of these stories have also been filmed, first by Ray himself and later by his son Sandip Ray too.
Although the world knew Ray as a great film-maker, Kolkata revers him as an exceptional writer too. His other creations were Professor Shanku and Tarini Khuro (Uncle Tarini). He also wrote numerous short-stories. Feluda is said to be a cross between Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes, Herge's Tintin and George Lucas' Indiana Jones.
Feluda first appeared in December 1965 in
"Sandesh",
a children's periodical edited by Ray himself - and founded by his grandfather, writer
Upendrakishore Raychoudhury.
The super-sleuth Feluda is assisted by his cousin Tapesh Ranjan Mitter (Topshe), a teenager, who is the narrator of the stories. Later, the thriller writer Lalmohan Ganguly, more popularly known by his pen-name Jatayu, joins to form the trio. A short and simple man, Jatayu provides comic relief to the readers, and gradually became Ray's favourite and an indispensable character in the Feluda series.
Satyajit Ray wrote thirty-five Feluda stories, most of which were extremely popular among Bengali children as well as adults.
Some of the stories were published in hard-cover editions, while some stories were published as a collection with other new stories. Some stories also appeared in the short story collections of Ray, which characteristically used to contain 12 short stories, including 2-3 featuring Feluda.
Every year a new Feluda adventure used to appear in the special Autumn edition or Durgapuja edition of the Bengali periodical - Desh, and also in Sandesh.
was published in Sandesh.
Lately, a series of Feluda collections have also been published, containing several stories in a single title. Most recently Feluda titles have been accumulated under Feluda Shamagra. Eng
The Person
Name
Prodosh Chandra Mitter3. Ray in his earlier Feluda stories had also used the name Pradosh C Datta. He's more popularly known as Feluda. The word Feluda is actually formed from Felu and Da, which means Brother Felu. Da is a short form of the Bengali word Dada which means elder brother. Pradosh Mitter is called Feluda in the novels, as the narrator Topshe is his younger cousin. Similarly, Feluda is called Felubabu by Jatayu which means Mr Felu, is just called Felu by his elder family members, friends and relatives and, more endearingly, Feluchand by Sidhu-jatha4.
Father
JoyKrishna Mitter. Teacher of Mathematics and Sanskrit in Dhaka Collegiate School. Had a worked out physique. Was adept in playing football, cricket, swimming and wrestling. Used to take out fox-cubs by entering his hand in their furrows. died at an early age, when Feluda was just 9 years old.
Family
JoyKrishna Mitter, Feluda's father were three brothers. Eldest was a good Thumri singer, who left the household at the young age of 23 to become an ascetic and never returned. JoyKrishna Mitter was the middle brother. Topshe's father, the youngest, is 25 years younger to the eldest brother.
Since his parents passed away when he was a small child, Feluda was brought up by Topshe's parents.
Residence
Resides at 27, Rajani Sen Road, Kolkata - 700 029. West Bengal, India.
Satyajit Ray was very tactical in choosing this address. If one walks along the Rajani Sen Road, one would find it ends at 26, Rajani Sen Road, and there's no 27!
Physique
Height 6'2''. chest 42''. Handsome. Was offered the role of the hero by Bollywood film-director Pulak Ghosal. Previously used to grow a long nail on the left little finger. Sharp eye-sight. is able to see better than normal humans in the dark.
Body Language
Frown expresses that Feluda is disturbed or irritated. When in deep thoughts, has waves on the forehead. While thinking, walks up and down or lies on the bed staring at the ceiling. When tensed, crackles his fingerw. His facial expression usually does not express his state of mind. Feluda had decided once to grow a moustache and beard, and had stopped shaving. But, changed decision after looking at his own face in the mirror after 8 days.
Sleep
Goes to sleep late, but is an early riser. Wakes up before sunrise. Never sleeps deeply. Wakes up when called just once.
Food
Is a connoisseur of good food. Is used to all types of food. Prefers Bengali cuisine. At home, his favourite is rice with soona-moong dal5, papad, curd, sandesh6. During the monsoon enjoys having khichuri7 and omlette8 for lunch. Prefers snacks with tea and chanachur or dalmuth.
Is choosy about tea. Prefers tea from Makaibari Tea Estate in Kurseong. Gets dalmuth from Kalimuddin's shop in New Market, Kolkata. Has chapathi for dinner. Eats out with family once a week. Does not prefer heavy food. Tastes local food always while travelling. Is not a big foodie but is very fond of Sandesh made of molasses9 and Mihi-dana.
Attire
Trousers and shirt. Prefers jeans too. Pajama and Panjabi at home. Sometimes trousers with panjabi. Occassionally dhuti with panjabi. Wears hunting-boot when required.
Feluda and Cigarettes
Feluda smokes only one brand of cigarettes - Charminar. He can easily stay without smoking for 10-12 hours if required. Earlier he used to smoke about 20 cigarettes a day, which he later reduced to 10, later he even reduced it further. Earlier he also used to have areca-nuts from Chennai. Sometimes he takes a helping of a betel-leaf without khayer as a mouth-freshner after meals.
Hobbies
Collecting old books and prints of old paintings. Previously of postage-stamps and magic.
Knowledge
Has translated books from English to Bengali. Has knowledge about architecture. Can guess the age of a building by looking at it. Can recognise plants and species of dogs. Has a good idea about old furnitures and old porcelain. Has good knowledge over typography in both English and Bengali. Can guess the name of a perfume from its smell. Can guess the name of an automobile by hearing the ravving of its engine. Is aware of Etimology or history of sounds. Knows Bengali music notations and names of all the Ragas and Raginis. Knows to play the harmonium a little. Has a good hand in drawing. Can make a sketch of a person after seeing him just once.10
Books Feluda Reads
Feluda's house has book shelves full of rare books. Is keen in taking care of them. Puts on a cover before he reads a book borrowed from somebody else. His favourite books are the 2 famous Indian epics - The Ramayana and The Mahabharata. Bibhutibhushan Bannerjee's "Aranyak", Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes, Thor Hyadal's "Aku Aku" are also among his favourites. He has also read cookery books from different countries, Complete Works of Jim Corbett and Kenneth Anderson, Erich Von Daniken's "The Chariot of Gods".
Feluda Stories
Feludar Goendagiri (Feluda's Investigation)
Bhuswarga Bhayankar (Peril in paradise)
Bombaiyer Bombete (The Bandits of Bombay)
Londone Feluda (Feluda in London)
Napoleoner Chithi (Napoleon's Letter)
Kailash Choudhuryr Pathar (Kailash Chowdhury's Jewel)
Ghurghutiyar Ghatana (The Locked Chest)
Golapi Mukta Rahasya (The Mystery of the Purple Stone / Pink Pearl)
Samaddarer Chabi (The Key)
Sheyal Debota Rahasya (The Anubis Mystery)
Ambar Sen Antardhyan Rahasya (The Disappearance of Ambar Sen)
Jahangirer Swarnamudra (The Gold Coins of Jehangir)
Golokdham Rahasya(Mystery at Golok Lodge)
Bosepukure Khunkharapi (The Acharya Murder Case)
Shakuntalar Kanthahar (Shakuntala's Necklace)
Indrajal Rahasya (The Magical Mystery)
Dr Munshir Diary (Dr Munshi's Diary)
Apsara Theatre-er Mamla (The case of the Apsara Theatre)
Tintorettor Jishu (Tintoretto's Jesus)
Baksha Rahasya
Feludar Goendagiri (Feluda's Investigation)
Rajen Mallik complains somebody is trying to threaten him through letters. Feluda decides to solve the mystery and find out who is the culprit.
Badshahi Aangti
Sonar Kella
Joy Baba Felunath
Gorosthane Sabdhaan
Hatyapuri
Ebar kando Kedarnathe
Gangtoke Gondogol
Joto Kando Kathmandu
Kailashe Kelenkari
Badshahi Angti The Emperor's Ring
Gangtokey Gandagol Trouble in Gangtok
Sonar Kella The Golden Fortress
Baksho Rahashya A Mysterious Case/ The Mystery of the Kalka Mail Kailashey Kelenkari A Killer in Kailash
Royal Bengal Rahashya The Royal Bengal Mystery
Joi Baba Felunath The Mystery of the Elephant God
Bombaiyer Bombete
Gosainpur Sargaram
The Buccaneers of Bombay
The Mystery of the Walking Dead
Gorosthaney Sabdhan Trouble in the Graveyard
Chhinnamastar Abhishap The Curse of the Goddess
Hatyapuri The House of Death
Jato Kando Kathmandutey
Tintorettor Jishu Tintoretto's Jesus
Ebar Kando Kedarnathey
Napoleon er Chithhi
Crime in Kedarnath
Napoleon's Letter
Darjeeling Jamjamat Danger in Darjeeling
Apsara Theatre er Mamla
Bhuswarga Bhayankar
The Case of the Apsara Theatre
Peril in Paradise'
Nayan Rahashya The Mystery of Nayan
Golapi Mukta Rahashya
Londoney Feluda
The Mystery of the Pink Pearl
Feluda in London
Robertson er Ruby Robertson's Ruby
1Capital of West Bengal. Formerly known as Calcutta.2One can read the English renditions of the novels at: Feluda stories in English3Mitter is actually the anglicised version of the surname Mitra.4Sidhu-jatha means Uncle Sidhu. The term 'Uncle' is often used for older males, whether related or not, as a term of respect5A type of pulses.6Small cakes made of cottage-cheese and sugar or date-molasses.7Rice and moong-dal cooked together with spices, often with potatoes and cauliflower too, and served without draining the water.8Egg fried with onion,green chillies and a pinch of salt, red-pepper and turmeric.9Thick dark syrup produced by boiling down juice from sugar-cane or dates.10Ray himself was endowed with this talent.
