Tarini khuro

Tarini khuro is a fictional character created by Satyajit Ray. Literally it means "respected uncle Tarini". "Khuro" in old colloquial Bengali means paternal uncle. This character is central to about twelve stories written by Ray.

The character

Tarini khuro is an aged bachelor living Benetolla Lane, at College Street in Kolkata (or what was then Calcutta). His full name is Tarini Charan Banerjee. He is a very efficient story-teller. He tells stories supposedly based on his long professional life. The audience is a bunch of 5 young guys.

The range of the stories are varied — from ghost stories (many of which are not horror stories though) to comedy stories. Most of the stories portray the quick wit of Tarini khuro in the face of imminent problems/dangers whereas some stories depict how Tarini khuro had some close shaves by the stroke of luck.

It may be observed here that like Premendra Mitra's Ghanada, Tarini khuro likes to tell tall tales, although unlike Ghanada, there is no way of ascertaining the veracity of these stories. Also unlike the caste-less Ghanada, Tarini is an upper caste twice born brahmin. He has had an adventurous life and has (like his creator Ray) largely steered clear from the tremendous political (and social) upheavals that were so much visible in twentieth century India. Although Tarini is apparently born in a Bengali middle class family and is well-to-do in terms of inheritance and social networks, he seeks out occupations all over India (in other words, he does not limit himself to Bengal) for the sheer joy of doing so. And although it is clear that he does not enjoy the benefits of a pensionable service or an annuity or insurance policy, he has to tell tales to get his afternoon tea and snacks. It is also interesting to note that his audience consists of five school children in a middle class dual income Bengali family, who do not have time to spend with their children during the afternoons or evening.

Tarini Khuro Series

* Doomnigar-er Manuskheko
* Conway castle-er Pretatma
* Khelowaar Tarini Khuro
* Tarini Khuro O Betaal
* Tollywood-e Tarini Khuro
* Lucknow-er Duel
* Jooti
* Seth Gongaram-er Dhanodoulot
* Galpoboliye Tarini Khuro