“Unless you are good at guessing, it is not much use being a detective” ~ Agatha Christie
The word “detective” sparks something primal in all of us. The moment we hear it, vivid images of trench coats, magnifying glasses, and secretive figures flood our minds. Of course, when it comes to detectives, one name reigns supreme: Sherlock Holmes. Picture this—our iconic sleuth with a calabash pipe, deerstalker hat, and a well-tailored Inverness coat, a staple of mystery lore since Sir Arthur Conan Doyle first introduced him in A Study in Scarlet (1887).
Holmes, with his razor-sharp intellect, astute observations, and unforgettable eccentricities, has captivated readers for generations. With four novels and 56 short stories, Sherlock Holmes quickly became an immortal figure in the detective genre. The charm of his stories lies not just in the puzzles but in the rich portrayal of Victorian London and the intricate layers of human psychology woven into each case.
But it wasn’t just Holmes who left his mark on the world of mystery. The character influenced countless other sleuths, including some much closer to home. In India, especially in Bengal, Holmes inspired two legendary detectives: Byomkesh Bakshi (created by Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay) and Feluda (created by the maestro Satyajit Ray). Both these characters, like Holmes, are driven by logic and observation, solving crimes in the labyrinthine alleys of Kolkata.
Kolkata, the so-called “City of Joy,” has long been a fertile ground for Indian detective stories. With its narrow alleys, bustling markets, and colonial past, the city provides the perfect backdrop for mystery. Many authors have tapped into Kolkata’s unique blend of tradition and modernity to craft tales of intrigue. Sujoy Ghosh’s Kahaani (2012) made the city come alive with its eerie charm, and now, in 2024, Kay Kay Menon’s Shekhar Home transports us once again into Kolkata’s shadowy streets.
Shekhar Home, a delightful new series on Jio Cinema, is a Bengali adaptation of the classic Sherlock Holmes tales, cleverly weaving Kolkata’s mystique into the familiar world of Holmesian deduction. Kay Kay Menon’s portrayal of Shekhar Home is masterful, bringing out the sharpness and idiosyncrasies of the great detective with a desi flair. The show is packed with inventive nods to Doyle’s universe—there’s a distinctly Indian version of Dr. Watson, Irene Adler, and even Moriarty lurking in the wings. The way the series balances homage with innovation is sure to please both purists and newcomers to the detective genre.
But let’s not dive too deep into Shekhar Home—I’ll leave the details to your discovery, as spoiling a good mystery would be a crime in itself. Instead, let’s marvel at the fascinating power of setting. Whether it’s the misty streets of London or the fog-covered lanes of Kolkata, the backdrop plays a pivotal role in a mystery’s allure. In fact, as a writer, I often wonder how other regions, with their unique cultures and folklore, could enrich this genre.
Take my native Assam, for example—a place steeped in folklore and supernatural legends. Imagine a detective cycling through the serpentine paths of rural Assam, perhaps on the trail of a “Pishach” or another mysterious entity. The North-East’s natural beauty and untapped cultural richness could provide a hauntingly beautiful setting for a mystery series or novel.
In fact, Assam’s supernatural lore has already made waves. A young filmmaker, Chinmoy Barma, brought Assamese folklore to life using AI-driven software, with his work going viral on social media. His short film, Ahalya, even won the Best Silent Film Award at the Indo-French International Film Festival in 2023. Assam’s horror-mystery universe, while still largely untapped, has the potential to become a goldmine for storytellers. One needs only to look back at Lakshminath Bezbaruah’s Burhi Aair Xadhu, a collection of Assamese folk tales, to see how deeply rooted mystery and myth are in the region’s cultural heritage.
When we immerse ourselves in a mystery novel, thriller, or supernatural tale, it’s more than just the unfolding puzzle that keeps us hooked. It’s the way these stories blend logic with imagination, exploring the complexities of human nature while offering social commentary. The thrill lies not only in the mystery’s conclusion but in the journey itself. As a popular saying goes, “In the beginning, there is mystery. In the end, there is confirmation. But it’s in the middle where all the emotion resides, making the whole thing worthwhile.”
So, whether it’s the narrow alleys of Kolkata, the bustling streets of Victorian London, or the untamed beauty of Assam, mysteries and detective stories hold a timeless appeal. They engage our minds, excite our senses, and, most importantly, remind us of the joy of the unknown. Keep reading, keep guessing, and let the mysteries continue to unfold—it’s elementary!
