Krishnagar, March 29: The Nadia administration is organising a fair to pay tribute to Gopal Bhand, who has been part of Bengal's folklore and popularly believed to be the court jester of Raja Krishna Chandra Roy of Krishnagar in the 18th century.

Over the past 300 years or so, stories about Gopal's exploits became popular through word of mouth and he has been often compared with Birbal for his ready wit.

The weeklong Gopal Bhand Mela was inaugurated in Krishnagar this evening by Nadia zilla sabhadhipati Banikumar Roy.

Officials said that during the course of the fair, discussions, seminars and plays based on Gopal's anecdotes would be held. A film on the jester's life will also be shown.

Krishnagar municipality chairman Ashim Kumar Saha said: "This is the first initiative in Nadia to pay tribute to the legendary humourist Gopal Bhand. Today's generation knows little about him."

Trinamul councillor Asit Saha, who called himself an ardent Gopal fan, said the 18th century humourist's lessons were prevalent even today.

"Our aim is to make Gopal Bhand popular among the younger generation. Even to this day, we can take lessons from the numerous anecdotes that are linked with him," Saha said.

According to Nagendranath Nath Das's Nabadwip Kahini ba Maharaj Krishnachandra O Gopal Bhand, published in 1907, Gopal stayed with his elder brother Kalyan Chandra, a manager to a zamindar, in Hooghly's Khanakul.

He was noticed by Raja Krishna Chandra Roy, who appointed him his jester. Since then, the witty jester became the resident of Ghurni in Nadia, the book says.