Ghanada: Tales from the Mess at No. 72 Banmali Naskar Lane

Aah, the old, shabby mess-bari at No. 72 Banmali Naskar Lane. This is where the magic happens, where Ghanada, the Bengali MacGyver of literature, regales his four wide-eyed companions with his fantastical tales. This Bengali literary hero, born from the mind of Premendra Mitra in 1945, isn't your average protagonist. He's a walking encyclopedia, a master storyteller, a snack enthusiast whose appetite rivals his thirst for knowledge, and enough tall tales to put Paul Bunyan to shame.

Imagine a room bustling with life, the aroma of spices wafting from the kitchen, and the sound of laughter echoing through the air. This is the mess, a home away from home for Ghanada and his companions-Shibu, Shishir, Gaur and Sudhir. Apart from them, there is Rambhuj/Banwari-the mess's cook, known for his delicious culinary creations. 

The four young men serve as Ghanada's audience and occasional foils, their reactions adding humor and depth to his stories. Together, they create a microcosm of Bengali society, filled with warmth, humor, and a deep appreciation for life's simple pleasures.

Ghanada at No. 72 Banmali Naskar Lane

Forty years after Ghanada's first story, the author finally spilled the beans on how he landed at 72 Banamali Naskar Lane. Turns out, in the mess-bari's early days, four friends were just settling in when a strange fellow showed up. Think lanky, axe-like figure, deep baritone voice, and a mysterious canvas bag.  This intriguing visitor needed a confirmed address, pronto! Seven years ago, as a gun expert extraordinaire, he promised a Ugandan hunter named Bob Kenneth that if Bob ever needed his help, he'd place an ad in the London Times featuring a Jerboa symbol. Finally, after seven years of scouring Times issues, our man found it in the Imperial Library of Calcutta. He sent a letter to Bob, using the mess-bari as his address, hoping for a reply. He even claimed a dilapidated attic room and promised to manage with the broken bed (for just a few days, of course). The curious friends, eager to hear the story behind Jerboa, the Times, and Bob, readily agreed to help. Enter Ghanada, the distressed gun expert who became a rent-free, tall-tale-telling legend at the mess-bari. Bob's reply? Never arrived. But Ghanada did, and the rest, as they say, is hilarious history.

With each bite of a snacks, his tales unfold, transporting his listeners to worlds beyond wildest dreams. He battles killer mosquitoes, saves the Europe from mass destruction, and effortlessly unravels the secrets of lost civilizations. His adventures weave through time and space, from the depths of the Amazon rainforest to the Mount Everest and back again.

But Ghanada isn't just a fearless adventurer. He's also a master of deduction, using his sharp wit and scientific knowledge to solve mysteries and outsmart even the craftiest villains. One minute he's deciphering ancient Mayan hieroglyphics, the next he's searching for the source of Deuterium Oxide aka the purest of water.

What truly sets Ghanada apart is his humor. His stories are a tapestry woven with witty observations, self-deprecating jokes, and hilarious misadventures that leave you snorting chai into your mustache. He's a master of the unexpected, able to turn a mundane conversation about the weather into a philosophical discourse on the nature of time, all while humorously describing his hand-to-hand combat skills.

So, if you're looking for a respite from the ordinary, a journey into the unknown fueled by laughter and wonder, then Ghanada is your guide. He'll take you on a wild ride through his spice rack of adventures, where imagination runs wild, the impossible becomes reality, and a plate of mouth watering snacks is always just around the corner. Just remember, dear reader, to hold onto your hat, because with Ghanada, you're in for one heck of a ride!