Bengali literature and pop culture are a treasure trove of iconic characters that have left a deep imprint on the country's cultural trajectory. Bongmade's mission is to create a roster of exclusive Bengali merchandise that unites all Bongs worldwide. From a Byomkesh T-Shirt to calendars dedicated to detectives of Bengali literature, Bongmade is expanding its inventory to accommodate
products that are odes to our cultural roots, a nostalgic memento of Bengal’s rich history.
Let’s have a look at five such Popular Products from our inventory:
Byomkesh - Feluda T-Shirt: Imagine a multiverse of the greatest Bengali sleuths to ever exist. Our Feluda vs Byomkesh T-Shirt brings together these two stalwart characters face to face in a contest to remember. Beautifully illustrated, with elements that nod to the original characters, the Satyaneshir Mogojastro T-Shirt is an instant hit across generations.
Bhooter Nach: Depicting a sequence from the famous “Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne " film, our Bhooter Nach T-Shirt remains in high demand to date. Based on the fascinating scene that captures the audience's attention the most is the one where Goopy and Bagha, who are lost in the forest, witness a group of twelve ghosts engaging in a dance-off. This eventually leads to the appearance of
the King of ghosts (whose voice is provided by Ray), who grants them blessings. Never seen in any Indian film before, the ingenious conception of the scene enthralls the audience to this day.
Banglar Detective Calender: Not one, not two, but Bongmade pays homage to as many as 12 iconic characters in this “Ek Dojon Goyenda” Calender featuring Bengali literature's most famous detectives. From Feluda to Byomkesh, from Mitin Mashi to Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay’s Shabor Dasgupta, the calender is a true nostalgic testament to our childhood.
Highly Suspicious: Satyajit Ray's detective duo, Feluda and Topshe, had similarities with other famous detective pairs like Holmes and Watson. However, their third companion, Lalmohan Ganguli, who wrote sensational thrillers under the pseudonym Jatayu, was unique to the Bong culture. “He relishes life. He enjoys everything. He’s not terribly bright but he thinks he’s bright,” Ray told his
biographer, Andrew Robinson. “He’s a very Bengali character.”
A t-Shirt dedicated to Jatayu's favourite and most famous phrase, "Highly Suspicious", that captures the character's unique quirk was a quick hit among our consumers, thus reaffirming the fact that Jatayu remains one of the most loved iconic characters from Bengal.
Feluda T-Shirt: How can we complete a list of iconic characters without mentioning Feluda? His first appearance in Feludar Goendagiri marked the emergence of a hero with a distinct Bengali identity and a global perspective. Since then, Feluda has become a cultural icon, leaving an indelible imprint on Bengali literature for generations to come.
Much like its counterpart, the Byomkesh T-Shirt, our Feluda T-Shirt featuring a thinking Feluda, smoking his signature Charminar and sitting on his favourite easy chair also remains one of our leading bestsellers, as evergreen as the hero it depicts.
The enduring popularity of these iconic Bengali literary characters extends beyond just Bengal and has captured the imaginations of readers across the world. They have been translated into several languages, including English, and have found a place in the hearts of readers worldwide. These characters are not just fictional creations but have become cultural ambassadors, representing the
rich and vibrant literary heritage of Bengal. Their popularity continues to endure through generations, inspiring new readers and writers alike to explore the world of Bengali literature and its unique characters.
Bongmade seeks to preserve these legendary characters to permanency, creating a brand that remains a testament to their brilliance through generations to come.