কিশোর সাহিত্যের মাত্রাভেদ ও লীলা মজুমদারের ভূতুড়ে গল্পের কথা : ‘সব ভুতুড়ে’ ও অন্যান্য / Dimensions of Young Adult Fiction and Ghost Stories by Leela Majumdar : ‘Sob Bhuture’ and Others

Abstract

While we analyse Bengali juvenile literature (& also explore the global trends), we notice a recurring theme: the discourse of motion or journey. Adventure permeates various genres— detective, sci-fi, comedy, supernatural, and horror—emerging as a core element in young adult stories.

In this context, we focus on the ghost stories by Leela Majumdar. First, we see how adventure and travel reappear in these tales, usually triggered by the protagonist visiting to an old house or ancestral home, or unfamiliar place. Most of the stories feature fearless, spirited, obstreperous boys and girls.

           To capture the underlying patterns, we propose a tabular classification of Majumdar’s ghost stories, which should reveal their fundamental motives. we then elaborate on several of those motives using representative stories. Our primary source is Majumdar’s collection Sob Bhuture, supplemented by other anthologies that include tales like ‘Bhuter Chele’, ‘Uluberiyar Bhuter Bari’, ‘Bakir Karbar’ and ‘Nepur Nobikaran’.

            It’s often seen that mothers were traditionally neglected or get a very shallow space in adolescent literature, yet Majumdar’s writing gives generous space to maternal affection and motherhood within the juvenile narrative. Ultimately, beneath the ghostly surface, Majumdar’s true aim is to convey humanity and warmth— friendship, compassion, and a journey from fear to fearlessness.