Bingsha Shatabdi

A Chronicle of Commitment, Culture, and Courage

“I’ve learnt loyalty from books. They don’t leave you until you decide to let go of it!” -Patrichia D’cruze

Tucked away in the literary heart of Kolkata, among the ever-changing storefronts of Park Street, stands Bingsha Shatabdi, more than just a bookstore; it’s a living testimony of courage, cultural consciousness, and commitment to the written word. At its helm is Mrs. Kanchana Mukhopadhyay, whose life has become deeply entwined with the story of the store she now owns.

The Inheritance of a Vision

The origins of Bingsha Shatabdi go back nearly seven decades. It wasn’t just a business venture; it was a mission envisioned by Mrs. Mukhopadhyay’s parents, both exceptional students of journalism, who, even before their marriage, dreamt of founding a paper and a publishing house. That dream materialized in 1956.

“The name ‘Bingsha Shatabdi’ came from their literary journal,” Mrs. Mukhopadhyay recalls. The philosophy behind it was deeply humanist. Inspired by the Bengali saying “Shobar uporey manush shotto, tahar uporey nai”, which means “Mankind is above everything, there is nothing above that,” the journal stood apart from the political rhetoric of the time. Though her parents leaned left ideologically, they resisted the pressure to align entirely with political dogma. When asked to revise their motto to “Shobar uporey party shotto” (“The party is above all”), they firmly refused.

Their refusal to conform had consequences. Alongside their literary pursuits, they clandestinely published manifestos of the then-banned CPIML (popularly known as the Naxalite party). In 1971, the press was raided by the police while compositors were preparing a banned publication titled Deshobroti. Several staff members were arrested, and the press was permanently shut down. Mrs. Mukhopadhyay still remembers her father’s return years later, not with printing machines, but with empty typesetting boxes, four or five of them, which she still keeps, silent witnesses of a turbulent but fearless past.

With Mrs Kanchana Mukhopadhyay

A Daughter’s Journey

Mrs. Mukhopadhyay’s mother was a full-time editor; her father, a professor, supported her in every way. As fate would have it, the mantle passed to Mrs. Kanchana when her mother’s health began to decline. At that time, she was a professor of history at various colleges in Kolkata. But when she saw her mother unable to manage the operations, which then employed over 30 people, she stepped in, taking full charge in 1995.

“This is more than a store. It’s a lifetime,” she says. Now, as the publishing house approaches its 70th year, she continues to uphold the values her parents fought for: intellectual integrity, cultural preservation, and access to meaningful literature.

As the city evolved, bookstores that once thrived along Park Street began vanishing. Iconic names like Cambridge and Metropolitan Bookhouse disappeared, giving way to Forex counters, jewellery stores, and restaurants. Bingsha Shatabdi, however, stood its ground. “Now, only three bookstores remain in this stretch, Oxford, Family Bookshop, and us,” Mrs. Mukhopadhyay points out.

But it isn’t just the survival that sets Bingsha Shatabdi apart; it’s the soul it carries. Unlike commercial bookshops that stock international bestsellers, Mrs. Mukhopadhyay made a conscious choice: to stock more Bangla books. In an era that celebrates English as a marker of status, this decision was revolutionary. “Kolkata doesn’t offer quality Bangla books outside College Street, and I wanted to change that,” she explains.

Not only that, the store boasts a unique offering; it is the only bookstore in Eastern India that imports contemporary French books directly from France. She has also brought in translated works from Russia, Germany, and even Hebrew (until the unfortunate loss of contact with her translator). But she is very particular about the quality and source of translations. “I don’t support translations that go from French to English and then to Bangla. That ruins the soul of the work,” she asserts. Every translated book here is done directly from the original language to Bangla, often by professors or native speakers she collaborates with personally. Now, her plans include curating literature from Latin America and Spain. She’s actively seeking skilled Bengali-speaking translators who can faithfully carry across the essence of these global voices.

A small glimpse of the collection of books at Bingsha Shatabdi

The Braid That Bound Her

Among the many books Bingsha Shatabdi has brought to life, one stands out for Mrs. Mukhopadhyay: La Tresse (The Braid). It tells the story of three women from three continents, each unknowingly connected by strands of hair and shared resilience. One is a Dalit woman from India who offers her hair at a temple. The second is a young Italian girl from Sicily who inherits her family’s handmade wig business. The third is a Canadian corporate lawyer battling breast cancer, wearing a wig made from that Indian woman’s hair, crafted lovingly by the Sicilian girl’s family.

Though strangers, their stories become interwoven, like a braid, symbolizing connection, strength, and dignity. “When I translated it, I was undergoing chemotherapy myself,” Mrs. Mukhopadhyay shares, her voice thick with emotion. “I knew what it meant to lose your hair. I knew the silence, the sadness, and the strength that comes after.”

She saw herself in all three women: in the Indian woman’s sacrifice, in the Italian girl’s commitment to preserving legacy amidst changing times, and in the Canadian lawyer’s quiet suffering and fight for normalcy. “Just as the braid weaves together three strands, this story weaves together their lives, and mine,” she says. It remains one of the most profound projects of her life, not just professionally but personally.

More Than a Store, A Sanctuary

Bingsha Shatabdi is not just a store; it is a sanctuary for literature lovers. Its essay collection focuses on heritage, cultural history, and social science, with texts in both Bangla and English. But the essence of the store lies not in selling books, but in building a community of readers.

“We don’t force people to buy,” Mrs. Mukhopadhyay smiles. “If someone wants to sit here with a cup of tea and read for hours, they’re most welcome.” Her mission is simple yet profound: to awaken the desire to read, not merely the habit.

A Lifelong Vow

Despite offers from businesses willing to pay substantial rent to take over the space, Mrs. Mukhopadhyay refuses. “This is something I want to do,” she insists. Her refusal is not stubbornness; it is a vow, a vow to history, a vow to her parents, a vow to every reader who still believes in the power of a good book.

Kanchana Mukhopadhyay is now exploring translations from Latin America and Spain, searching for Bengali-speaking translators who can bring those voices home. She works closely with language professors to ensure precision and passion go hand in hand.

Through personal challenges, political upheavals, and the decline of independent bookstores, Bingsha Shatabdi has remained a lighthouse of literature, quietly burning bright, refusing to be dimmed.

In a world that rushes towards convenience, Mrs. Mukhopadhyay stands firm, a custodian of culture, a witness to history, and above all, a believer in the enduring power of the written word.

To explore some new contemporary books, visit the store at Park Street, bang opposite Allen Park. Store Timing: 10 am to 8 pm.

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