Kalpabigyan: Sketching the Astonishing World of Bengali Speculative Fiction

Science fiction, science fiction fantasy, or Speculative Fiction; the nomenclature of this genre has been controversial since the publication of the first text in this genre, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1818). However, it did not gain popularity until the publication of popular works of French author Jules Verne and English Author H.G. Wells. It captured the readers across the continents of Europe, America, and Asia. India, with its long-standing tradition of literature, also started producing science fiction literature with the publication of Hemlal Dutt’s “Rahasya” (1882) in Bengal. Mr. Adrish Bardhan, the celebrated author, editor, and translator of Science Fiction, coined the term Kalpabigyan to generalize the humongous variety of literary works in the Bengali Language. Kalpabigyan, which encompasses both fantasy, science fiction, and science-based writings, gained popularity through publications in various magazines, including Ramdhanu, Rangmashal, Aschorjo, Sandesh, Fantastic, Vismoy, and Kalpabiswa, among others, over the course of eighty years. This paper aims to provide a thorough overview of the intriguing and complex world of Bangla science fiction, or Kalpabigyan. The study explores the wide range of works created by various authors, following their development from their inception until the year 2016 AD. It seeks to draw attention to significant turning points, thematic investigations, and creative advancements that have influenced the genre over time. To give readers a comprehensive grasp of how Bangla science fiction has shaped a unique and vibrant literary tradition within both regional and international science fiction landscapes, the paper will analyse key contributions, recurrent themes, and the sociocultural contexts in which these narratives emerged.