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<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{short description|1937 adventure novel by Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay}}<br />
{{redirect|Moon Mountain|the lunar feature|List of mountains on the Moon||Mountains of the Moon (disambiguation)}}<br />
{{EngvarB|date=February 2014}}<br />
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2014}}<br />
{{infobox book | <!-- See Bharatpedia:WikiProject_Novels or Bharatpedia:WikiProject_Books --><br />
| name = Chander Pahar<br />
| translators = Santanu Sinha Chaudhuri, Pradeep Kumar Sinha (2002 translation, reprinted 2007)<br />
| image = Cover page of "Chander Pahar", a novel by Bibhutibhusan Banerjee.jpg<br />
| caption = Signet Press edition cover<br />
| author = [[Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay]]<br />
| illustrator = Shyamalkrishna Bose<br />
| cover_artist = [[Satyajit Ray]]<br />
| country = India<br />
| language = [[Bengali language|Bengali]]<br />
| genre = [[Adventure fiction|Adventure]]<br />
| publisher = M. C. Sircar & Sons Limited (Bengali), Orient Blackswan (English translation, 2002) <br />
| release_date = 1937<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Bandyopadhyay,_Bibhutibhushan|title=Bandyopadhyay, Bibhutibhushan|work=banglapedia.org}}</ref><br />
| english_release_date = 1 July 2002<br />
| media_type = Print (hardback & paperback)<br />
| pages = 175 pp (Eng. trans. edition)<br />
| isbn = 978-81-250-3069-0<br />
| preceded_by = <br />
| followed_by = }}<br />
<br />
'''''Chander Pahar''''' ({{Translation|''Mountain of the Moon''}}) is a [[Bengali language|Bengali]] [[adventure novel]] written by [[Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay]]<ref name="Caṭṭopādhyāẏa1994">{{cite book|author=Sunīlakumāra Caṭṭopādhyāẏa|title=Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyaya|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Kp8WZ5a34NQC&pg=PA17|access-date=5 July 2012|date=1 January 1994|publisher=Sahitya Akademi|isbn=978-81-7201-578-7|pages=17–}}</ref> and published in 1937. The novel follows the adventures of a young [[Bengali people|Bengali]] man in the forests of Africa. The novel is one of the most-loved adventure novels in the Bengali literature and is one of Bibhutibhushan's most popular works. It spawned [[Chander Pahar (franchise)|a media franchise]].<br />
<br />
==Plot summary==<br />
[[File:Chander Pahar Page-21.jpg|thumb|[[Shankar Ray Choudhuri|Shankar]] facing a lion.]]<br />
<br />
This novel tells the story of an ordinary young Bengali man, [[Shankar Ray Choudhuri]], as he adventures in [[Africa]] in the years 1909 and 1910. After graduating from college at 20-years-old, his family's financial struggles almost force him take a job in a [[jute]] mill in Shyamnagar — a prospect he absolutely loathes.<br />
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Shankar loves the subject of geography, he wants to follow the footsteps of renowned explorers like [[David Livingstone|Livingstone]], [[Mungo Park (explorer)|Mungo Park]], and [[Marco Polo]]. He wants to explore the wilderness, passionate for learning about African forests and animals. By a stroke of luck, he gets a job as a clerk at the [[Uganda Railway]] and rushes to Africa without a second thought.<br />
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After a few months laying rail tracks, he encounters the first of many dangers in pre-[[World War I]] Africa: a man-eating [[lion]]. Later, he takes up a job as station-master in a desolate station amidst the [[Veldt]]s, where he narrowly escapes a deadly [[black mamba]]. While at this post, Shankar encounters, rescues and nurses [[Diego Alvarez (character)|Diego Alvarez]], a middle-age Portuguese explorer and gold/diamond prospector. Alvarez's arrival becomes a turning point in Shankar's life.<br />
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While recovering, Alvarez describes his exploits in Africa with his friend Jim Carter. He explains that, lured by the prospect of a priceless yellow diamond from a Kaafi village chief, Alvarez and Carter searched for these yellow diamond caves, on the Mountain of the Moon (Chander Pahar) in the [[Richtersveld]]. Rumors suggested a mythical monster, the [[Bunyip]], guards the mine. The explorers set off into the dense jungle, much against the villagers' advice, and Carter was gruesomely killed, supposedly by the Bunyip.<br />
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Shankar, inspired by Alvarez's exploits, resigns from his job and accompanies Alvarez to venture again for the mines. They meet hardships, like a racist gambler, legends about [[Dingonek]] the monster and later, a raging [[volcano]]. Eventually, they get lost in the forests where Alvarez is killed by the [[Bunyip]]. Demoralised, Shankar tries to return to civilization. He finds the Bunyip's cave and the diamond mines by accident. Almost getting lost, he finds the remains of the Italian explorer, [[Attilio Gatti]], and learns that the cave is in fact the diamond mine.<br />
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Leaving, he becomes lost in the deserts of [[Kalahari]] and nearly dies of thirst. Fortunately, he is rescued by a survey team and taken to a hospital in [[Harare|Salisbury]], [[Rhodesia]], from where he sets sail for home. Before going back, he writes his account in a newspaper, earning him money. He names the volcano after Alvarez. He ends the book saying that he will return to the cave one day with a large team, and continue the legacy of Alvarez, Carter, and Gatti.<br />
<br />
==Characters==<br />
*[[Shankar Ray Choudhuri]] — The main protagonist, a young man from a village in Bengal. He is a smart, brave person who has a penchant for adventures.<br />
*[[Diego Alvarez (character)|Diego Alvarez]] — A Portuguese explorer. He is a friend and mentor to Shankar, and together they explore the deepest reaches of [[Richtersveld]] for the Mountain of the Moon. <br />
*Jim Carter — A British explorer who was Alvarez's companion in his previous expedition. Alvarez revealed to Shankar that Carter was killed by the [[Bunyip]] while he and Diego were exploring the Mountains of the Moon.<br />
*Attilio Gatti — An Italian explorer. He discovered the diamond mine caves in ''c.'' 1879 but dies in a cave (later discovered by Shankar) on his way back, at the hands of his traitorous followers.<br />
*Prasad Das Bandyopadhyay <br />
*Tirumal Appa<br />
*Shankar's mother<br />
*Shankar's father<br />
<br />
==In other media==<br />
{{main|Chander Pahar (franchise)}}<br />
<br />
===Films===<br />
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* A film based on the novel, named ''[[Chander Pahar (film)|Chander Pahar]]'' directed by [[Kamaleshwar Mukherjee]] was released on 20 December 2013 (27 December 2013 in all over India).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movies/news/Film-on-Chander-Pahar/etarticleshow/17305162.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004232733/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-11-21/news-interviews/35256844_1_bengali-film-kamaleswar-mukherjee-hollywood-film |url-status=live |archive-date=4 October 2013 |title=Film on Chander Pahar |date=21 November 2012 |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=22 November 2013}}</ref> The film, joyfully received by critics and the Bengali audience,{{Citation needed|date = December 2015}} was produced by [[Shree Venkatesh Films]] and has been shot on locations across Africa. It was reportedly being made with a budget of nearly {{INRConvert|150|m}}, making it one of the most expensive in the Bengali film industry.<br />
<br />
Director Kamaleshwar Mukherjee mentioned ''Chander Pahar'' as his "Dream Project". The film has reportedly incorporated CGI and visual effects at par with Hollywood and Bollywood standards. [[Dev (Bengali actor)|Dev]] plays the role of the main protagonist, [[Shankar Roy Chowdhury (character)|Shankar]].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1130109/jsp/entertainment/story_16416937.jsp#.UPPmJmf6OVA | archive-url=https://archive.today/20130216205422/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1130109/jsp/entertainment/story_16416937.jsp%23.UPPmJmf6OVA | url-status=dead | archive-date=16 February 2013 | location=Calcutta, India | work=The Telegraph | title=Kamaleshwar Mukherjee's Trip To South Africa For Chander Pahar, Starring Dev | date=9 January 2013}}</ref> Most of the other cast members are from South Africa. According to the crew members, it took a considerable time to decide who would play the role of [[Diego Alvarez (character)|Diego Alvarez]], and South African actor [[Gérard Rudolf]] was selected. The first theatrical trailer of the film was released by [[Shree Venkatesh Films]], at the Kolkata [[Nicco Park]] on 14 November 2013.<br />
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Shooting locations include [[Kruger National Park]], the mountains of [[Drakensberg]], and the deserts of [[Kalahari]].<ref>{{cite news| url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movies/news/Kamaleswars-African-safari/etarticleshow/18852456.cms | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130617065639/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-03-08/news-interviews/37560813_1_black-mamba-dev-shankar | url-status=live | archive-date=2013-06-17 | work=[[The Times of India]] | title=Kamaleswar's African safari}}</ref><br />
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* A sequel film ''[[Amazon Obhijaan]]'' also directed by [[Kamaleshwar Mukherjee]] and starring Dev, was released in 2017. The film is based on the characters of ''Chander Pahar'' created by Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay.<br />
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===Graphic novels===<br />
{{Infobox graphic novel<br />
|title = Moon Mountain<br />
|image =<br />
|caption = Cover page of the Graphic novel<br />
|alt = <br />
|publisher = [[Penguin India]]<br />
|date = 15 Feb 2014<br />
|origpublication = <br />
|origissues = <br />
|transisbn = 9780143332589<br />
|origlanguage = English<br />
|writers = [[Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay]]<br />
|artist = [[Sayan Mukherjee]]<br />
|creator = Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay<br />
|pages = 160<br />
}}<br />
* ''Moon Mountain'' is a 2014 [[Graphic novel]] adapted from [[Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay]]'s classic ''Chander Pahar''. The graphic novel is published by [[Penguin India|Penguin Books India]], has its script written by [[Saurav Mohapatra]] with illustrations by [[Sayan Mukherjee]]<ref>{{cite news | url=http://eprahaar.in/bibhutibhushan-classic-chander-pahar-now-as-graphic-novel/ | work=eprahaar.in | title=Bibhutibhushan classic 'Chander Pahar' now as graphic novel | access-date=28 October 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171008231656/http://eprahaar.in/bibhutibhushan-classic-chander-pahar-now-as-graphic-novel/ | archive-date=8 October 2017 | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/hrk1YtnUwhBQRPkkM3duYK/Book-Review--Moon-Mountain.html | work=livemint.com | title=Book Review - Moon Mountain}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.penguinbooksindia.com/en/content/moon-mountain|title=Moon Mountain - Penguin Books India|work=penguinbooksindia.com}}</ref><br />
*Another graphic novel named ''Amazon Obhijaan'' released as a promotional activity of the film of same name, written by film director [[Kamaleshwar Mukherjee]].<br />
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==Legacy==<br />
Inspired by Shankar's character in ''Chander Pahar'' [[Bengali people|Bengali]] adventurer Anindya Mukhopadhyay took an expedition to explore the "Chander Pahar" or "Mountain of the Moon" in [[Africa]], which inspired [[Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay]] to write the novel, and he finds the real "[[Mountains of the Moon (Africa)|Mountain of the Moon]]" is [[Rwenzori Mountains]]. Anindya Mukhopadhyay travelled the mountain and have written a book called ''Abar Chander Pahar'', where he explained about his journey to Rwenzori Mountains.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://eisamay.com/entertainment/cinema/articel-on-first-indian-mountain-climber-anindya-mukherjee-and-his-campaign-mountain-of-the-moon-in-africa-by-suman-roy/articleshow/49022541.cms|title = গল্প নয়, সিনেমা নয়, সত্যি চাঁদের পাহাড়ে}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://zeenews.india.com/bengali/kolkata/explorer-anindya-mukherjee-the-living-shankar-talks-to-24-ghanta-dot-com-about-his-experiences-in-life_174624.html/amp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922172553/http://zeenews.india.com/bengali/kolkata/explorer-anindya-mukherjee-the-living-shankar-talks-to-24-ghanta-dot-com-about-his-experiences-in-life_174624.html/amp |archive-date=22 September 2017 |title=আদর্শ শঙ্কর, দুর্গমকে সুগম করাই প্যাশন অভিযাত্রী অনিন্দ্যর {{!}} Zee News}}</ref><br />
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==Sequels by other writers==<br />
*Writer Partha De has written two of the novels featuring Shankar as the protagonist. Name of those novels are - ''Chander Upatyaka'' and ''Rajhangsir Sarobar''. In both novel another character Prasad Das Bandyopadhyay from the original novel also featured along with Shankar Roy Chowdhury. Later in 2017, two of the novels were published in a collection book named ''Chander Upatyaka'' by Prativas Prakashan.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34094372|title = চাঁদের উপত্যকা}}</ref><br />
**'''''Chander Upatyaka''''' - Prasad Das Bandyopadhyay is now at [[Brazil]] and doing [[Natural rubber|rubber]] business. Where Shankar was called by him to take a part in that business. Soon Shankar finds that he has been called here for a different reason. He learns, the treasure of last [[Inca]] king [[Atahualpa]] was hidden somewhere in [[Amazon rainforest|Amazon]]. He tries to explore the place. <br />
**'''''Rajhangsir Sarobar''''' - Prasad Das Bandyopadhyay is now at [[Russia]]n jail. A mysterious lady invites Shankar to Russia to help Prasad Das. After arriving Russia Shankar gets involved into a conspiracy, which might lead to worldwide devastation.<br />
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==See also==<br />
*[[Shankar Ray Choudhuri]]<br />
*[[Diego Alvarez (character)|Diego Alvarez]]<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
{{Reflist}}<br />
<br />
==External links==<br />
{{Commons category|Chander Pahar}}<br />
{{wikisourcelang|bn|চাঁদের পাহাড়}}<br />
*[http://www.penguinbooksindia.com/en/content/moon-mountain English Translation]<br />
*[https://www.sahityavimarsh.in/chand-ka-pahad/ Hindi Translation]<br />
<br />
{{Chander_Pahar}}<br />
{{Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay}}<br />
{{Authority control}}<br />
[[Category:1937 novels]]<br />
[[Category:20th-century Indian novels]]<br />
[[Category:Adventure novels]]<br />
[[Category:Indian children's novels]]<br />
[[Category:Indian Bengali-language novels]]<br />
[[Category:Novels set in Africa]]<br />
[[Category:Children's books set in Africa]]<br />
[[Category:Novels set in 1909]]<br />
[[Category:Novels set in 1910]]<br />
[[Category:Indian novels adapted into films]]<br />
[[Category:Adventure novels adapted into films]]<br />
[[Category:Children's books adapted into films]]<br />
[[Category:Novels by Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay]]</div>BrittScotto5