Samaresh Basu
{{short description|Indian writer (1924–1988)}}
{{redirect|Kalkut|the town|Kalkut, Siliguri}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2014}}
{{Infobox writer
| image = SamareshBasuPic.jpg
| pseudonym = Kalkut
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1924|12|11|df=y}}
| birth_place = Bikrampur, Bengal Presidency, British India
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1988|03|12|1924|12|11|df=y}}
| death_place = Calcutta, West Bengal, India
| occupation = Writer
| nationality = Bengali
| citizenship = Indian
| notableworks = Prajapati, Dekhi Nai Phire, Shamba, Ganga
| awards = {{Awd|Sahitya Akademi Award|(1980)}}
| spouse = {{married|Gauri Basu|1942}}
}}
Samaresh Basu ({{IPA|bn|/səˈmɑːrɛʃ/}}; 11 December 1924 – 12 March 1988) was an Indian writer in modern Bengali literature, known for his versatility and vast range of themes.{{cite journal|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/23331255|title=Samaresh Basu: A Literary Assessment|first=Esha|last=Dey|publisher=Sahitya Akademi|journal=Indian Literature|year=1988 |volume=3 |issue=125 |pages=47–52 |jstor=23331255 }} He wrote under the pen name Kalkut.{{cite journal|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/23331254|title=Samaresh Basu: A Memory|first=Sunil|last=Gangopadhyay|publisher=Sahitya Akademi|journal=Indian Literature|year=1988 |volume=3 |issue=125 |pages=37–46 |jstor=23331254 }} Basu was awarded the 1980 Sahitya Akademi Award in Bengali, by Sahitya Akademi, India's National Academy of Letters, for his novel, Shamba.[http://tesla.websitewelcome.com/~sahit/old_version/awa10302.htm#bengali Sahitya Akademi Awards 1955–2007: Bengali] He won the 1983 Filmfare Awards for Best Story for Namkeen.{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Samaresh-Basu/awards|title=Samaresh Basu Awards|website=The Times of India}}
Biography
Basu was born on 11 December 1924 in Bikrampur, Dhaka (present day Bangladesh). He married Gauri Basu in 1942.{{cite web|url=https://dailyasianage.com/news/112107/samaresh-basu|title=Samaresh Basu|website=The Asian Age|access-date=March 12, 2018}}{{cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/beyond-business/the-voyage-that-never-ends-122092300985_1.html|title=The voyage that never ends|website=Business Standard|access-date=September 23, 2022}} In his early days, he worked at a factory at Ichapore, West Bengal.{{cite news|url=https://www.news18.com/news/lifestyle/samaresh-basu-birth-anniversary-here-are-5-films-based-on-his-novels-2419565.html|title=Samaresh Basu Birth Anniversary: Here Are 5 Films Based on His Novels|website=News18|access-date=December 11, 2019}} 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.{{cite news|url=https://www.news18.com/news/lifestyle/samaresh-basu-birth-anniversary-here-are-5-films-based-on-his-novels-2419565.html|title=Samaresh Basu Birth Anniversary: Here Are 5 Films Based on His Novels|website=News18|access-date=December 11, 2019}} He wrote over 200 short stories and 100 novels under the pen names, Kalkut and Bhromor,{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movies/news/a-documentary-on-samaresh-basus-life/articleshow/12259202.cms|title=A documentary on Samaresh Basu's life|website=The Times of India|access-date=January 11, 2017}} revolving around themes of political activism, middle class life and sexuality, two of which were banned for a brief period with charges of obscenity.{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/books/pathos-with-a-punch/article3261331.ece|title=Pathos with a punch|website=The Hindu|access-date=July 19, 2016}}
Basu received the Sahitya Akademi Award for Shambo in 1980 and Filmfare Award for Namkeen in 1983.{{cite news|url=https://dailyasianage.com/news/167555/samaresh-basu|title=Samaresh Basu|website=The Asian Age|access-date=March 12, 2019}}
Samaresh Basu died on 12 March 1988.{{cite web|author=Parabaas Inc. |url=http://www.parabaas.com/translation/database/authors/texts/samareshbasu.html |title=Samaresh Basu – Biographical Sketch [Parabaas Translation] |publisher=Parabaas.com |date= |accessdate=5 January 2013}}
Works
- Aam Mahato
- Aboseshe
- Achinpurer Kathokata
- Apadartho (Ananda Pub.)
- Aparichito (Sahityam,1985)
- Baghini
- Bibar{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/theatre/samaresh-basus-controversial-bibor-to-be-adapted-for-stage/articleshow/64841850.cms|title=Samaresh Basu's controversial Bibor to be adapted for stage|website=The Times of India|access-date=July 3, 2018}} (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{{cite news|url=https://www.news18.com/news/books/the-economist-crossword-awards-longlist-482032.html|title=The Economist Crossword Award's longlist|website=News18|access-date=June 12, 2012}}
- 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){{cite news|url=https://www.livemint.com/Leisure/xltHji2sxrvDrqsytvDdSK/The-gallop-of-time.html|title=The gallop of time|website=Livemint|access-date=January 21, 2012}}
- 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){{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movies/news/subrata-sens-next-based-on-samaresh-basus-novel/articleshow/85945769.cms|title=Subrata Sen's next based on Samaresh Basu's novel|website=The Times of India|access-date=September 5, 2021}}
- 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){{cite news|url=https://scroll.in/reel/801011/why-teen-bhuvaner-paare-is-one-of-soumitra-chatterjees-best-roles|title=Why 'Teen Bhuvaner Paare' is one of Soumitra Chatterjee's best roles|website=Scroll.in|access-date=December 26, 2015}}
- Uddhar (Mandal, 1986)
Works as Kalkut
- Amrita Bisher Patre (Ananda Publishers)
- Amrita Kumbher Sandhaney,{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.457310|title=Amrita Kumbher Sandhaney|via=archive.org|year=1954 |publisher=Bengal Publishers Pvt Limited }} translated as In Search of the Pitcher of Nectar (Bengal Publishers Pvt Ltd, 1954){{cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/lifestyle/books/story/why-faith-a-celestial-blinker-blinds-lakhs-of-eyes-book-review-2008900-2022-10-06|title=Why faith, a celestial blinker, blinds lakhs of eyes|website=India Today|access-date= October 6, 2022}}
- 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){{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.457321|title=Pritha|via=archive.org|year=1957 }}
- Purno Kumbho Punascho (Ananda Pub.)
- Shambo (Ananda Pub.)
- Prachetosh
Works for children
- 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
Samaresh Basu created two fictional detective characters: Gogol for children, and Ashok Thakur for adults. Gogol, the child detective, is more famous and widely read. Most of the Gogol stories are assembled in the Gogol Omnibus. Notable ones include:
- 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)
Adaptations
{{more citations needed section|date=October 2022}}
= Films =
A number of films are based on his works including-{{IMDb name|0097897}}{{cite book|author1=Gulazar|author2=Govind Nihalani|author3=Saibal Chatterjee|title=Encyclopaedia of Hindi Cinema|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8y8vN9A14nkC&pg=PT361|year=2003|publisher=Popular Prakashan|isbn=978-81-7991-066-5|page=357}}
- Ganga (1960) by Rajen Tarafdar
- Nirjan Saikate (1963) by Tapan Sinha
- Teen Bhubaner Pare (1969) by Ashutosh Bandhopadhyay{{cite news|url=https://scroll.in/reel/801011/why-teen-bhuvaner-paare-is-one-of-soumitra-chatterjees-best-roles|title=Why 'Teen Bhuvaner Paare' is one of Soumitra Chatterjee's best roles|website=Scroll.in|access-date=December 26, 2015}}
- Aparichita (1969) by Salil Dutta
- Swarna Shikhor Prangane (1970) by Piyush Basu
- Calcutta 71 (1972) by Mrinal Sen
- Mouchak (1974) by Aurobindo Mukhopadhyay
- Chhera Tamsuk (1974) by Purnendu Pattrea
- Bikele Bhorer Phool ( 1974) by Piyush Basu
- Chhutir Phande (1975) by Salil Sen and Honeymoon (2018) by Premendra Bikash Chaki (a remake of Chhutir Phande)
- Kitaab (1977) and Namkeen (1982) by Gulzar
- Shaukeen (1982) directed by Basu Chatterjee
- Amrita Kumbher Sandhane (1982) by Dilip Roy
- Paar (1984) by Goutam Ghose
- Genesis (1986) by Mrinal Sen
- Prajapati (1993) by Biplab Chatterjee
- Uttara (2000) by Buddhadeb Dasgupta
- Nater Guru (2003) by Haranath Chakraborty
- Bibar (2006) by Subrata Sen{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movies/photo-features/10-controversial-bengali-movies-that-broke-the-stereotypes/bibar-2006/photostory/63202235.cms|title=10 Controversial Bengali Movies That Broke the Stereotypes|website=The Times of India|access-date=March 7, 2018}}
- In 2013, a film adaptation of Basu's story, Sonali Parer Rahashya of Gogol Omnibus, was released with the title Goyenda Gogol.{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movie-reviews/goenda-gogol/movie-review/20273433.cms|title=Goenda Gogol Movie Review|website=The Times of India|access-date=May 17, 2016}} Directed by Arindam Dey, the film featured child actor Ahijit Ghosh as Gogol, along with veteran actors like Indraneil Sengupta, Saheb Chatterjee and Rachana Banerjee.
- A sequel of Goyenda Gogol, named Gogoler Kirti was released in 2014.{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movie-reviews/gogol-er-kirti/movie-review/42617016.cms|title=Gogoler Kirti Movie Review|website=The Times of India}} Directed by Pompy Ghosh Mukherjee, the film is based on two stories by Samaresh Basu: "Royraja Uddhar" and "Mahishmardini Uddhar". Actor Ahijit Ghosh reprising his role as Gogol from the previous film.
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Basu, Samaresh}}
Category:Recipients of the Sahitya Akademi Award in Bengali
Category:People from Bikrampur
Category:20th-century Indian novelists
Category:Indian male novelists
Category:Filmfare Awards winners
Category:Indian male short story writers
Category:20th-century Indian short story writers
Category:Indian children's writers
Category:Novelists from West Bengal
Category:20th-century Indian male writers
Category:People convicted of obscenity <--! For this and overturned see Prajapati (novel) -->