Prof. Shanku Park — Attraction in Bidhannagar

Professor Trilokeshwar Shonku is a fictional scientist and inventor created by Satyajit Ray in a series of Bengali science fiction books of the same name published from 1965 on. He is the central protagonist of the series. Professor Shonku resides in Giridih. In an interview Ray said that he had based Prof. Shonku on the character Professor Challenger, by Arthur Conan Doyle and a character created by Ray's father Sukumar Ray named Hesoram Hushiar. The list of Professor Shonku adventures include 38 stories of Professor Shonku adventures written by Satyajit Ray. The first "Shonku" story Byomjatrir Diary (An Astronaut's Diary) was published in the Sandesh in 1965. It was a long story describing Professor Shonku's space travel. The last Shonku adventure Intelectron remained unfinished after Ray's death

The park was plastic recycling zone of the Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation (BMC) and was literally a dumping ground emitting foul smell. So New Town Kolkata Development Authority spoke to BMC to shift to an adjacent space where they plan to set up a compactor and created space for the park. What was once a litter zone got converted into a theme park.

Once you enter the park, the first thing that strikes is the 10 ft statue of the scientist from Giridih in the middle of a fountain. In his hand is his invention, the annihilin, a pistol that can obliterate any living thing. At his foot is his pet cat Newton. For any Shonku enthusiast, it is like a dream come true to be face to face with their favourite character.

The walls near the entrance are decorated with various sketches of Satyajit Ray taken from his Shonku books. In the middle, a real clock hangs taking you on a time machine ride.

There is a partially enclosed area where the Professor’s Professor Shonku’s lab in Giridih is recreated. Its scientific instruments are on display like the microscope, beaker, weighing scale, etc. They are intelligently placed in between gaps on the wall to create a sort of laboratory feel. At a corner sits Bidhusekhar, his robot.

The most iconic part of the park is easily the giant replica of Professor Shonku’s Omniscope. In Ray’s stories, this seemingly standard pair of spectacles tripled up to provide telescope, microscope, and X-ray-scope vision

Professor Shonku’s genius crow, Corvus finds a place here, enclosed within his bird-educating device, Ornithon

The pyramid enclosing sculpted pillars and an Egyptian mummy is a nod to the popular adventures in Professor Shonku o Egypshio Atonko

A gateway comprising another illustration of Shonku and Newton leads to a colourful model of the solar system, attributing the physicist’s relationship with outer space, explored in 'Byomjatrir Diary' and 'Professor Shonku o Golok Rahasya'

Another colourful wall is adorned with the names of some of Professor Shonku’s most popular stories, with creator Satyajit Ray’s name taking centre stage

The shed at the end of the park carries detailed monochrome sketches that re-create the scientist’s most memorable moments in...

Well decorated Sonku Theme park situated just beside CC2, Rajarhat. The whole park is full of sculptures, Monument, innovation of Professor Sonku. You can good paintings, wall art of Professor Sonku and his equipment s. Ample space for seating, children park is also there within the premise. Inside the park, you can see solar system museum along with different comics of Sonku engraved in the wall. Inside the park, there is toilet, cafeteria( which is currently closed), amphitheater with beautiful landscape view. The entry for this park is only ₹10/ person. Photography is not prohibited🚫, there is no extra charges apart from entry fee. Outside food is strictly prohibited🚫 inside the park. Parking is a bit hectic in this area, very crowded road. Take local transportation for hassle free entry. Best time to visit- Anytime after 3:30 pm The park is opened from 2:30 pm, Monday the park is closed...

This is most probably the first frictional character themed park in India. The park based on the character Prof. Shonku created by none other than the mastro Satyajit Ray. The park is located just behind the City Centre 2 mall and well connected by roads. It's nicely decorated with statues of story characters and tools. So, it is exciting for one who knows the storys of the Prof. It also consists of play area for kids and a meditation space as well. As a whole, it's quite nice place for all age group people. If you are a Satyajit Ray fan, then don't think twice to go for a visit. Just a feedback to the NKDA authority, please arrange a security guard(if not already arranged) for surveillance otherwise we will loose this nice...