Byomkesh (fridge magnet)

Byomkesh Bakshi is a fictional detective created by Bengali author Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay. A self-proclaimed “satyanweshi” (literally seeker of truth), Bakshi is known for his keen observation, logical thinking, and knowledge of forensic science, which he uses to solve complex murder cases, mostly set in Calcutta. His first appearance was in the story Pother Kanta (1932), where he demonstrates his deductive skills, but his formal introduction occurs in Satyanweshi (1934), a murder mystery involving cocaine trafficking. Byomkesh adopts the alias Atul Chandra Mitra in this story, where he meets Ajit Bandyopadhyay, who becomes his close companion and the narrator of the Byomkesh stories. The character’s name has since become synonymous with intelligence and keen observation in Bengali vernacular. The Byomkesh Bakshi stories have been adapted into various media, including films, television series, and audio dramas. Notable portrayals of the detective include those by Uttam Kumar, Rajit Kapur, and Abir Chatterjee. The stories continue to have a significant influence on Indian detective fiction, contributing to the development of the genre.