Samaresh Basu (11 December 1924 – 12 March 1988) was an Indian writer in modern Bengali literature, known for his versatility and vast range of themes.[1] He wrote under the pen name Kalkut.[2] Basu was awarded the 1980 Sahitya Akademi Award in Bengali, by Sahitya Akademi, India's National Academy of Letters, for his novel, Shamba.[3] He won the 1983 Filmfare Awards for Best Story for Namkeen.[4]

Samaresh Basu
Born(1924-12-11)11 December 1924
Bikrampur, Bengal Presidency, British India
Died12 March 1988(1988-03-12) (aged 63)
Calcutta, West Bengal, India
Pen nameKalkut
OccupationWriter
NationalityBengali
CitizenshipIndian
Notable worksPrajapati, Dekhi Nai Phire, Shamba, Ganga
Notable awardsSahitya Akademi Award
(1980)
Spouse
Gauri Basu
(m. 1942)

Biography

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Basu was born on 11 December 1924 in Bikrampur, Dhaka (present day Bangladesh). He married Gauri Basu in 1942.[5][6] In his early days, he worked at a factory at Ichapore, West Bengal.[7] He was imprisoned between 1940 and 1950 for his involvement in trade unions and Communist party. It was in prison, he penned his first published novel, Uttaranga. After release, he devoted his time entirely to writing, refusing his old job offer.[8] He wrote over 200 short stories and 100 novels under the pen names, Kalkut and Bhromor,[9] revolving around themes of political activism, middle class life and sexuality, two of which were banned for a brief period with charges of obscenity.[10]

Basu received the Sahitya Akademi Award for Shambo in 1980 and Filmfare Award for Namkeen in 1983.[11]

Samaresh Basu died on 12 March 1988.[12]

Works

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  • Aam Mahato
  • Aboseshe
  • Achinpurer Kathokata
  • Apadartho (Ananda Pub.)
  • Aparichito (Sahityam,1985)
  • Baghini
  • Bibar[13] (Ananda Publishers, 1965), made as a film in 2006, it is also mentioned in Mrinal Sen's 1971 film Interview.
  • Bibekban/Bhiru
  • Bijon Bibhui (Ananda Pub.)
  • Bijorito (Anjali Prakashoni)
  • B.T. Roader Dhare, translated as The Hollow by Saugata Ghosh[14]
  • Chaya Dhaka Mon
  • Daho
  • Dekhi Nai Phire (Ananda Pub.)
  • Dosh Deen Pore (Ananda Pub.,1986)
  • Dui Aronyo (Anjali Prakashoni)
  • Ganga (Maushumi Prakasani,1974)
  • Goenda Ashok Thakur Samogro (Anjali Prakashoni)
  • Hariey Pawa (Nath Publishing)
  • Hridayer Mukh
  • Jabab (Deys Publishing,1986)
  • Jhile Nagar (Karuna Prakashoni)
  • Jug Jug Jiye (Ananda Pub. & Lokbharati,1990)
  • Kamona Basona
  • Ke Nebe More
  • Khondita (Ananda Pub.)
  • Mahakaler Rother Ghora, translated in English as Fever (Ananda Publishers)[15]
  • Marsumer Ek Din (Annyadhara, 1979)
  • Mohamaya (Modern Publishers,1988)
  • Nithur Dorodee
  • l'Noyonpurer Mati (Nath Publishing)
  • Padokkhep
  • Pancho Bonhi (Sahityam)
  • Pathik
  • Patok (Anjali Prakashoni)
  • Prajapati (Ananda Publishers,1985)[16]
  • Prakriti
  • Pran Protima
  • Punaryatra (Ananda Pub.)
  • Raktim Basonto
  • Ranir Bazar (Nath Publishing)
  • Samaresh Basu Rochonaboli [1–13] (Ananda Pub.)
  • Shalgherir Simanay
  • Sekol Chera Haater Khoje (Ananda Pub.,1984)
  • Swarnochanchu
  • Tanaporen (Anjali Prakashoni)
  • Teen Purush (Ananda Pub.)
  • Tin Bhubaner Pare (Maushumi Prakasani,1982)[17]
  • Uddhar (Mandal, 1986)

Works as Kalkut

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  • Amrita Bisher Patre (Ananda Publishers)
  • Amrita Kumbher Sandhaney,[18] translated as In Search of the Pitcher of Nectar (Bengal Publishers Pvt Ltd, 1954)[19]
  • Arab Sagorer Jol Lona
  • Dhyan Jnan Prem (Ananda Pub.)
  • Ek Je Chhilen Raja (Ananda Pub.)
  • Juddher Shesh Senapoti (M.C.Sarkar & Sons)
  • Kalkut Rachona Samagro [1–8] (Maushumi Prakasani)
  • Kothaay Pabo Tarey (Ananda Pub.)
  • Ponnyo Bhume Punya Snan (Ananda Pub.)
  • Pritha (Mondal Book House, 1957)[20]
  • Purno Kumbho Punascho (Ananda Pub.)
  • Shambo (Ananda Pub.)
  • Prachetosh

Works for children

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  • Adrisya Manusher Haatchani (Sarodiya Suktara, 1986)
  • Bandha Ghore'r Awaz (Ananda Pub., Nov 1979)
  • Bhul Barite Dhuke (Ananda Pub., 1986, Sarodiya Anondomela,1985)
  • Bideshi Garite Bipod (Ananda Pub., Apr 1988,Sarodiya Anondomela,1987)
  • Buno Hati'r Bandhuttwo (Pujabarshiki Anondomela Sankalan, Sarodiya Anondomela,1977,illustration – Sudhir Maitro)
  • Goa i Gogoler Prothom Kirti (Pujabarshiki Anondomela Sankalan, Sarodiya Anondomela, 1978)
  • Gogol Amonibas (Nath Publishing)
  • Gogol Chikkus Nagalande (Ananda Pub.)
  • Gorokhkhonathbabur Notebook (Pakhik Anondomela Sera Sankalan,25 June 1986,illustration – Debashish Deb)
  • Jangal Mohol E Gogol (Ananda Pub.,1987,Sarodiya Anondomela,1986)
  • Jonaki Bhuter Bari (Pujabarshiki Anondomela Sankalan, Sarodiya Anondomela,1980, illustration – Sunil Shil)
  • Jwor'er Ghore Shona (Pakhik Anondomela Sera Sankalan,23 December 1987,illustration – Anup Roy)
  • Sei Gari'r Khoje (Ananda Pub., Aug 1984, Sarodiya Anondomela, 1983)
  • Simul Gore'r Khune Bhut (Ananda Pub.)

Gogol

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Samaresh Basu created a character Gogol for children. Most of the stories are assembled in the Gogol Omnibus.

  • Aayna Niye Khelte Khelte
  • Adrishya Manusher Haatchani (Sarodiya Suktara, 1986)
  • Buno Hati'r Bandhuttwo (Sarodiya Anondomela, 1977)
  • Chora Hati Shikari
  • Durger Garhkhai Er Durghatono
  • Garadheen Jaanalay Rakkhos
  • Gogol Kothay? (Sarodiya Anondomela, 1981)
  • Gogoler Keramati
  • Gogoler Royraja Uddhar
  • Harano Buddhagupti
  • Indurer Khut khut
  • Jonaki Bhuter Bari (Sarodiya Anondomela, 1980)
  • Kairong Moth Er Gogoler Kando
  • Mahishmardini Uddhar
  • Pashchimer Balcony Theke
  • Rajdhani Expresser Hatya Rahasya
  • Ratna Rahasya O Gogol
  • Sonali Parer Rahashya
  • Telephone Aaripatar Bipad (Sarodiya Suktara)

[21]

Adaptations

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Films

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A number of films are based on his works including-[22][23]

References

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  1. ^ Dey, Esha (1988). "Samaresh Basu: A Literary Assessment". Indian Literature. 3 (125). Sahitya Akademi: 47–52. JSTOR 23331255.
  2. ^ Gangopadhyay, Sunil (1988). "Samaresh Basu: A Memory". Indian Literature. 3 (125). Sahitya Akademi: 37–46. JSTOR 23331254.
  3. ^ Sahitya Akademi Awards 1955–2007: Bengali
  4. ^ "Samaresh Basu Awards". The Times of India.
  5. ^ "Samaresh Basu". The Asian Age. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  6. ^ "The voyage that never ends". Business Standard. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  7. ^ "Samaresh Basu Birth Anniversary: Here Are 5 Films Based on His Novels". News18. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
  8. ^ "Samaresh Basu Birth Anniversary: Here Are 5 Films Based on His Novels". News18. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
  9. ^ "A documentary on Samaresh Basu's life". The Times of India. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  10. ^ "Pathos with a punch". The Hindu. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
  11. ^ "Samaresh Basu". The Asian Age. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
  12. ^ Parabaas Inc. "Samaresh Basu – Biographical Sketch [Parabaas Translation]". Parabaas.com. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
  13. ^ "Samaresh Basu's controversial Bibor to be adapted for stage". The Times of India. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
  14. ^ "The Economist Crossword Award's longlist". News18. Retrieved 12 June 2012.
  15. ^ "The gallop of time". Livemint. Retrieved 21 January 2012.
  16. ^ "Subrata Sen's next based on Samaresh Basu's novel". The Times of India. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  17. ^ "Why 'Teen Bhuvaner Paare' is one of Soumitra Chatterjee's best roles". Scroll.in. Retrieved 26 December 2015.
  18. ^ Amrita Kumbher Sandhaney. Bengal Publishers Pvt Limited. 1954 – via archive.org.
  19. ^ "Why faith, a celestial blinker, blinds lakhs of eyes". India Today. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  20. ^ Pritha. 1957 – via archive.org.
  21. ^ "Ananda Publishers – Category – Novels". Anandapub.com. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
  22. ^ Samaresh Basu at IMDb
  23. ^ Gulazar; Govind Nihalani; Saibal Chatterjee (2003). Encyclopaedia of Hindi Cinema. Popular Prakashan. p. 357. ISBN 978-81-7991-066-5.
  24. ^ "Why 'Teen Bhuvaner Paare' is one of Soumitra Chatterjee's best roles". Scroll.in. Retrieved 26 December 2015.
  25. ^ "10 Controversial Bengali Movies That Broke the Stereotypes". The Times of India. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  26. ^ "Goenda Gogol Movie Review". The Times of India. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  27. ^ "Gogoler Kirti Movie Review". The Times of India.

<--! For this and overturned see Prajapati (novel) -->