Humayuner Library  (Paperback, Tarun Roychowdhury)

Consisting of 16 articles, this book invites readers on an extraordinary journey through history, art, literature, and culture. It begins with the literary passion of Mughal Emperor Humayun, whose love for books is intertwined with the fascinating evolution of written mediums, from clay tablets to scrolls, codices, and beyond. The lives of the Vikings, the Norsemen of the North, and their unique longhouses, whose grandeur is reflected in their very name, are explored. Life in Jerusalem during the time of Jesus Christ is vividly depicted through Zoffany’s The Last Supper, restored in 2010 and displayed at St. John’s Church in Kolkata. The captivating creation of 1001 Arabian Nights and the intriguing origins of cartoons, once drawn on hard paper called cartoni are examined. The meticulous craftsmanship of linocut printing blocks is discussed in detail, along with the art of calligraphy and the importance of visuals. The cultural richness of Ratha Yatra, a festival symbolizing communal harmony, is celebrated alongside nostalgic glimpses of Bengali puja magazines from decades past. The global stature of the Kolkata Book Fair, a treasure trove for book lovers, is showcased alongside the habits of great readers, such as Warren Buffett’s daily 500-page routine and Bill Gates’ ownership of the Leicester Codex, a $30.8 million masterpiece by Leonardo da Vinci. This book serves as a celebration of the boundless power of knowledge and the transformative magic of stories, offering a wealth of information and inspiration for curious minds.