Feluda, or Prodosh Chandra Mitra [Mitter], is a fictional detective, private investigator created by Indian director and writer Satyajit Ray. Feluda resides at 21 Rajani Sen Road, Ballygunge, Calcutta, West Bengal. Feluda first made his appearance in a Bengali children's magazine called Sandesh in 1965, under the editorialship of Ray and Subhas Mukhopadhyay. His first adventure was Feludar Goendagiri. Feluda is one of the most impactful Bengali characters of all time.
Feluda and Topshe (left) in Feludar Goendagiri, drawing by Satyajit Ray
Feluda is a big admirer of Sherlock Holmes, written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, which he mentions multiple times. In Kailash Choudharyr Pathar he praises the way Holmes used to draw large conclusions from observations. In Londone Feluda, when Feluda goes to Baker Street, he openly considers Holmes as the "master" (Bengali: guru) of all private detectives.
A private investigator, a private detective, or inquiry agent is a person who can be hired by individuals or groups to undertake investigatory law services. Private investigators often work for attorneys in civil and criminal cases.
Private detectives can perform surveillance work on behalf of individuals
Sherlock Holmes, the world's most famous fictional private investigator
1859 illustration of Vidocq arresting a robber after tracking him down
