| Chitrachor | |
| Title Orig: | চিত্রচোর |
| Author: | Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay |
| Country: | India |
| Language: | Bengali |
| Genre: | Detective, Crime, Mystery |
| Release Date: | 1951 |
| Media Type: | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| Preceded By: | Byomkesh o Boroda |
| Followed By: | Durgo Rahasya |
Chitrachor (bn|চিত্রচোর), meaning The Picture Thief, is a detective novella by Bengali author Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay. First published in 1951, it is one of the stories featuring the sleuth Byomkesh Bakshi, who is often referred to as Satyanweshi or the truth-seeker.
Recovering from an illness, Byomkesh Bakshi travels to the Santhal Parganas in Bihar (now in Jharkhand) for a change of air, accompanied by his wife, Satyabati, and his friend and chronicler, Ajit Bandyopadhyay. They rent the upper floor of a house owned by Professor Adinath Shome. During their stay, they become acquainted with several locals, including the wealthy Mahidhar Chowdhury and his daughter Rajani.
A series of mysterious events begins when a group photograph taken during a recent picnic goes missing from Mahidhar's house. Similar incidents of missing photographs are reported by others who were part of the group. Concurrently, a talented but impoverished artist named Phalguni Pal starts approaching the same individuals with portraits he claims to have drawn from memory.
As Byomkesh delves deeper, he notices unusual behaviors among the locals. Relationships become strained, and hidden tensions surface. The disappearance of the photographs seems connected to secrets that someone wants to keep hidden. Byomkesh must untangle a web of deceit, uncovering motives rooted in personal desires and societal pressures.
Through keen observation and logical deduction, Byomkesh works to solve the mystery without revealing sensitive personal matters of those involved.
The novella explores several themes:
Chitrachor has been adapted into various formats:
- Television: It was featured in the popular Indian television series Byomkesh Bakshi (1993–1997), directed by Basu Chatterjee, with actor Rajit Kapur portraying Byomkesh. The episode titled Tasveer Chor is based on this story.- Radio and Theatre: The story has also been adapted into radio plays and stage performances, bringing it to a wider audience beyond Bengali readers.
Chitrachor is acclaimed for its well-crafted plot and the way it maintains suspense throughout the narrative. Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay's ability to weave complex characters into a gripping mystery has been praised by readers and critics alike. The story is considered a significant work in Bengali detective literature and contributes to the enduring popularity of the Byomkesh Bakshi series.
The novella has been published in various editions and is included in compilations of Byomkesh Bakshi stories.[1] It is available in both hardcover and paperback formats, and has been translated into multiple languages.
- Byomkesh Bakshi- Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay- Bengali literature- Detective fiction