Asim Basu was an Indian theatre artiste and director, actor, art director, painter and playwright.[1] Basu was known for his set design work in Ollywood movies and designing Odia book covers and movie posters.[2]

Asim Basu
Asim Basu in Bhubaneswar
Asim Basu in Bhubaneswar
Born(1935-11-30)30 November 1935
Kakhada, Bhogarai, Balasore, Orissa, British India
Died1 February 2017(2017-02-01) (aged 81)
Occupation(s)Production designer
Art director, Theater director, freelance columnist
Years active1940-2017
Signature
Footage from an interview with Asim Basu.

Early life edit

He was born in 1935, to Motilal Basu and Bijanbala Basu in Kakhada village, Bhogarai, Balasore district. When Basu was in Kolkata during his college days, he chanced to work with actor Utpal Dutt in Minerva Theatre, Kolkata and his talents flourished in acting, direction and stage designing there. He came back to Odisha and formed a theatre group “Rupakar”.[3]

Career edit

Basu made his debut in play as a director with Bijay Mishra's 'Duiti Surya Dagdha Phula Ku Nei'. He directed around 200 plays. He has worked as a stage designer for over 500 plays and was the art director for several Odia films. He was an art-director in films like Chha Mana Atha Guntha, Indradhanura Chhai and Shodh (Hindi). He also made his appearances in many Tele films and films like Chha Mana Atha Guntha, Jaga Balia and Dadagiri.[3]

Death edit

A fund was raised by state government’s Culture department and Khordha district administration for his treatment.[4] Basu died from lung infection on 1 February 2017 in Bhubaneswar, Odisha at the age of 81.[5]

Filmography edit

Year Film Director Actor Cinematographer Art director Source
1986 Chha Mana Atha Guntha Yes Yes [6]
1990 Maa Mate Shakti De Yes [7]
1993 Indradhanura Chhai Yes [8]
Dadagiri Yes [9][10]
2001 Hemanter Pakhi Yes [11]
2010 ...And Once Again Yes [12]

In popular culture edit

  • 'Asim Basu Memorial Award' presented by Nandanik, a Theatre group based in Koraput, Odisha was given to encourage the young theatre artist.[13][14]

Awards edit

  • Basu was awarded the state Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1998.[15]
  • He was awarded with Parampara Samman in 2012.[16]

External links edit

References edit

  1. ^ Singha, Minati (22 February 2013). "Watching present day artistes, I feel Odia theatre is in safe hands: Asim Basu". Times of India. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
  2. ^ "Theatre personality Asim Basu passes away at 83". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2019-03-01.
  3. ^ a b Pattnayak, Pradeep. "Asim Basu no more, but neither art nor artist dies". The Pioneer. Retrieved 2019-03-01.
  4. ^ Swetaparna. "Odisha govt extends help to ailing artiste Asim Basu | OdishaSunTimes.com". Retrieved 2019-03-01.
  5. ^ "Eminent theatre personality Asim Basu passes away". Pragativadi. 1 February 2017. Retrieved 3 February 2017.
  6. ^ Chamana Atha Guntha, retrieved 2019-03-01
  7. ^ Maa Mate Shakti De, retrieved 2019-03-01
  8. ^ Shadows of the Rainbow, retrieved 2019-03-01
  9. ^ Dadagiri, retrieved 2019-03-01
  10. ^ "Asim Basu Archive". Odiamoviedatabase.com. Archived from the original on 2 December 2014. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
  11. ^ Hemanter Pakhi (2001), retrieved 2019-03-01
  12. ^ ...And Once Again, retrieved 2019-03-01
  13. ^ odishabarta. "Nandanik observes 4th Foundation Day with Lecture & Asim Basu Memorial Award at Koraput". odishabarta.com. Archived from the original on 2019-03-02. Retrieved 2019-03-01.
  14. ^ "Nandanik observes 4th Foundation Day with Lecture & Asim Basu Memorial Award at Koraput - Orissa Diary". Dailyhunt. Retrieved 2019-03-01.
  15. ^ "Veteran theatre personality, painter, writer Asim Basu dead". Business Standard India. Press Trust of India. 2017-02-01. Retrieved 2019-03-01.
  16. ^ "Prafulla Kar, Asim Basu, Bhagirathi Mohapatra Honored with Parampara Samman-2012". Odisha360. Retrieved 2 December 2014.