Shankari Das stepped into the little magazine pavilion at the Kolkata Book Fair with her son Somnath Das in 2006, with their then newly born magazine Somoy Tomake. The mother-son duo remained regulars at the pavilion till Somnath’s death in 2012. Mother Shankari, however, has continued to run the stall at Boi Mela, living her son’s dream. With time, Shankari has earned herself the title of ‘Little Magaziner Ma’ for her relentless effort to keep her son’s legacy alive.
When My Kolkata visited Das’s stall (number 214) at the Book Fair this year, it was empty. Another stall keeper said she usually came in late, since she had to travel all the way from Barrackpore every day, taking a train and then an auto to the mela ground.
Das will always greet you at the stall with her smile. She introduces the magazine and other books by Somnath to the readers, packs the purchases and even does the billing.
Das handles all the logistics — from introducing the books and magazines to readers, to the billing — by herself at the Kolkata Book Fair
A difficult beginning
Das first stepped into the world of little magazines about 18 years ago with her son and their new magazine. Somnath had a keen interest in Bengali literature since childhood. At the age of nine, he wrote his first poem and two years later, his poem was first published in his school magazine. Published from a press in Sodepur, Somoy Tomake was conceived and published by Somnath.
Life had never been easy for the mother-son duo. Being diagnosed with the rare cancer Myelofibrosis when only five years old meant that Somnath needed blood transfusions every month, along with chemotherapy. Treatment was expensive but the family never gave up. Shankari knew that her elder son would be with her in person for only a few years, but did not lose hope in the face of the inevitable.
‘Somoy Tomake’ was conceived and published by Somnath, with strong support from his mother
Realising a dream
From selecting the articles and editing, to designing the layouts, Somnath was involved in every aspect of the production of Somoy Tomake, alongside his very small editorial team. However, due to his medical condition, he could not carry any weight. So, his mother stepped in. From going to the press with Somnath and carrying the heavy books to the stalls, Das stood strong by her son.
When she learned of Somnath’s dreams of publishing a little magazine, she sold the little she had to give her son the starting capital to make his dream come true. Despite his illness, Somnath completed his master’s in Bengali from The University of Burdwan, and would also take private tuitions at home to earn a living for himself. “Since he was sick, he would sometimes study in the hospital as well,” said Das.
On May 30, 2012, at the age of 36, Somnath passed away leaving behind his Ma, his family, and his magazine Somoy Tomake. His mother did not forget his last words and held on tightly to the magazine that her beloved elder son had published with much pain and hard work.
Books by Somnath and editions of ‘Somoy Tomake’ at the Little Magazine Pavilion of the Kolkata Book Fair
Finding sunshine
This year the magazine completed 18 years. Shankari takes care of the magazine’s affairs all by herself now. She publishes one edition every year during the Kolkata Book Fair. Even though she has an editorial team, she is involved in the selection of the writeups. She also goes to the press. Since its inception, the content of the magazine has been factual, and Das has tried to keep it like that “just as my son wanted it.” Talking about costs, she said that the pricing of the magazine is kept between Rs180 and Rs 250 depending on the number of pages and the format.”I keep Rs.30 from it,” she added.
In 2023 the subject of the edition was Kothasahitye Narir Nirmane Nari (women writren by women in fiction). “We have published magazines on subjects like Kobitae myth (myths in poetry), Natoke myth (myths in drama/theatre),” said Das. This year she could not publish an edition during boi mela since the press could not deliver on time.
Shankari Das has never let go of Somoy Tomake, despite facing the challenge of taking care of her younger son, who has medical issues and was born a special child, and her ailing husband. The magazine is her sunshine — it makes her happy, and death cannot take that away from her.
‘Somoy Tomake’ is what keeps her going, says Shankari Das
Recognition and a loving title
“In 2011 Somnath received recognition and an award for his book Golper Myth,” Das said with a catch in her voice and tears in her eyes. “The next year (2012) he passed away. But come what may I have kept my word. I hardly have any income. I have been struggling my entire life and still do, but Somoy Tomake keeps me going.”
In 2021, the late Sandip Dutta, who established Kolkata Little Magazine Library and Research Centre, gave Shankari the title ‘Little Magazine-er Ma’ title. She has since been known by that name.
Somoy Tomake is available in Dhyan Bindu and Patiram book stalls on College Street
