Samaresh Basu facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Samaresh Basu
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| Born | 11 December 1924 |
| Died | 12 March 1988 (aged 63) |
| Pen name | Kalkut |
| Occupation | Writer |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Notable works | Dekhi Nai Phire, Shamba, Ganga |
| Notable awards | Sahitya Akademi Award 1980 |
Samaresh Basu (born December 11, 1924 – died March 12, 1988) was a famous Indian writer. He wrote many stories and novels in the Bengali language. He won the important Sahitya Akademi Award in 1980 for his novel Shamba. He also won the Filmfare Awards for Best Story in 1983 for the movie Namkeen.
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Life and Writing Journey
Samaresh Basu had a very interesting life that helped him write his stories. When he was a child, his mother used to tell him "Brata-kathas," which are old folk tales recited by women during religious events. These stories made a big impression on him.
He grew up in Naihati, a town near Kolkata, in West Bengal. He had many different jobs. For a while, he sold eggs. Later, he worked in a factory from 1943 to 1949. During this time, he was involved with a workers' group and a political party. He was even held in jail for a short time when his political group was not allowed. While he was in jail, he wrote his first novel, Uttaranga. After he was released, he decided to become a full-time writer.
When he was just 21, he wrote another novel called Nayanpurer Mati. His first short story, Adaab, was published in 1946.
A Prolific Author
Samaresh Basu was a very productive writer. He wrote over 200 short stories and 100 novels! He also used two special pen names: "Kalkut" and "Bhramar." His stories often showed the lives of everyday people, from political activists to factory workers.
Some of his books faced challenges, but the highest court in India, the Supreme Court, allowed them to be published. Many smart people, like another famous writer named Buddhadeva Bose, supported Samaresh.
Samaresh Basu was especially good at writing about life in the suburbs of Kolkata. These are places that are partly like a village and partly like a city. He used his own experiences to show what life was like for people in these areas.
The Pen Name "Kalkut"
He started using the pen name "Kalkut" in 1952. The "Kalkut" name became truly famous with his book Amritakumbher Sandhane. This popular story was partly about his own experiences at the Kumbha Mela, a big religious gathering.
Under the name Kalkut, he wrote many books that showed the lives of ordinary people from all over India. He wrote about their different cultures and traditions. He also used old Indian stories from the Puranas and Itihas. His novel Shamba, which gave a new look to old Puranic tales, won the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1980.
Family Life
Samaresh Basu married Gauri Basu in 1942. They had four children: Bulbul, Debkumar, Nabakumar, and Mousumi.
Samaresh Basu passed away on March 12, 1988.
Books by Samaresh Basu
Samaresh Basu wrote many books. Here are some of them:
- Aam Mahato
- Aboseshe
- Achinpurer Kathokata
- Apadartho
- Aparichito
- Baghini
- Bibar (This book was made into a film in 2006)
- Bibekban/Bhiru
- Bijon Bibhui
- Bijorito
- B.T.Roader Dhare
- Chaya Dhaka Mon
- Daho
- Dekhi Nai Phire
- Dosh Deen Pore
- Dui Aronyo
- Ganga
- Goenda Ashok Thakur Samogro
- Hariey Pawa
- Hridayer Mukh
- Jabab
- Jhile Nagar
- Jug Jug Jiye
- Kamona Basona
- Ke Nebe More
- Khondita
- Mahakaler Rother Ghora
- Marsumer ek din
- Mohamaya
- Nithur Dorodee
- Noyonpurer Mati
- Padokkhep
- Pancho Bonhi
- Pathik
- Patok
- Prajapoti
- Prakriti
- Pran Protima
- Punaryatra
- Raktim Basonto
- Ranir Bazar
- Samaresh Basu Rochonaboli
- Shalgherir Simanay
- Sekol Chera Haater Khoje
- Swarnochanchu
- Tanaporen
- Teen Purush
- Tin Bhubaner Pare
- Uddhar
Books Written as Kalkut
These are some of the books Samaresh Basu wrote using his pen name, Kalkut:
- Amrita Bisher Patre
- Amrita kumbher Sandhaney
- Arab Sagorer Jol Lona
- Dhyan Jnan Prem
- Ek Je Chhilen Raja
- Juddher Shesh Senapoti
- Kalkut Rachona Samagro
- Kothaay Pabo Tarey
- Ponnyo Bhume Punya Snan
- Purno Kumbho Punascho
- Shambo
- Prachetosh
Books for Young Readers
Samaresh Basu also wrote many exciting stories for children. Here are some of them:
- Adrisya Manusher Haatchani
- Bandha Ghore'r Awaz
- Bhul Barite Dhuke
- Bideshi Garite Bipod
- Buno Hati'r Bandhuttwo
- Goa i Gogoler Prothom Kirti
- Gogol Amonibas
- Gogol Chikkus Nagalande
- Gorokhkhonathbabur Notebook
- Jangal Mohol E Gogol
- Jonaki Bhuter Bari
- Jwor'er Ghore Shona
- Sei Gari'r Khoje
- Simul Gore'r Khune Bhut
Gogol Omnibus Series
Samaresh Basu created a popular detective character for children named Gogol (Detective). Many of his Gogol stories are collected in the Gogol Omnibus series.
- Aayna Niye Khelte Khelte
- Adrishya Manusher Haatchani
- Buno Hati'r Bandhuttwo
- Chora Hati Shikari
- Durger Garhkhai Er Durghatono
- Garadheen Jaanalay Rakkhos
- Gogol Kothay?
- Gogoler Keramati
- Gogoler Royraja Uddhar
- Harano Buddhagupti
- Indurer Khut khut
- Jonaki Bhuter Bari
- Kairong Moth Er Gogoler Kando
- Mahishmardini Uddhar
- Pashchimer Balcony Theke
- Rajdhani Expresser Hatya Rahasya
- Ratna Rahasya O Gogol
- Sonali Parer Rahashya
- Telephone Aaripatar Bipad
Movies Based on His Works
Many of Samaresh Basu's stories and novels have been made into movies. Here are some of them:
- Nirjan Saikate (1963)
- Teen Bhubaner Pare (1969)
- Calcutta 71 (1972)
- Mouchak (1974)
- Chhera Tamsuk (1974)
- Bikele Bhorer Phool (1974)
- Chhutir Phande (1975)
- Kitaab (1977)
- Namkeen (1982)
- Shaukeen (1982)
- Amrita Kumbher Sandhane (1982)
- Paar (1984)
- Genesis (1986)
- Prajapati (film) (1993)
- Uttara (2000)
- Nater Guru (2003)
- Bibar (2006)
- In 2013, his Gogol story Sonali Parer Rahashya was made into the film Goyenda Gogol.
- A sequel to Goyenda Gogol, called Gogoler Kirti, came out in 2014. It was based on two of his stories: Royraja Uddhar and Mahishmardini Uddhar.
Television Shows
Some of his short stories were also adapted into episodes for the Indian television series Kirdaar in the 1990s.
