Higgledy Piggledy: Abol Tabol by Sukumar Ray — Translated into English

Abol Tabol by Sukumar Ray

Translated by Sumantra Chattopadhyay

ISBN: 978-93-92281-81-5
Published: 1 September 2024
Pages: 102
Binding: Hardcover
Published by: Virasat Trade

(Blue Pencil is the authorised online sales and marketing partner of Virasat Art Publication and Virasat Trade)

Abol Tabol by Sukumar Roy is easily India’s most famous book of nonsense rhymes. It has inspired generations of poets and authors and its pun-laden, hilarious poems have been recited and enjoyed by children across generations over the last century.

The English translation by Sumantra Chattopadhyay is an endeavour to make the radiance of Sukumar Ray’s poetry reach all, Bengalis and non-Bengalis alike. Each translated rhyme is accompanied with the original Bengali rhyme and Sukumar Ray’s illustrations.

Recently Abol Tabol crossed hundred years of publication and still it is sparkling brilliantly and is unparalleled. Many poems in Abol Tabol contain skilfully hidden satire on the state of society and administration of early 20th-century colonial India mostly Bengal.

Abol Tabol” in English translation? Can such a feat be achieved? While there have been prior endeavours, Sumantra’ s eloquent translation feels like a beam of sunlight piercing the brick walls of my mind. Sumantra’s translation propels this book further into the future.

– Debojyoti Mishra: Poet, Painter and Composer

I deeply appreciate Sumantra Chattopadhyay’ s wonderful attempt to translate Abol Tabol into English. It s a perfect homage to one of the finest authors of nonsense in the world.

– Chinmoy Guha, Professor Emeritus, University of Calcutta, Sahitya Academy Award, 2019