Bani Basu is well known for her unique story telling techniques. She presents her ideas with extreme clarity, powerful dialogues and stylized language. Bani Basu has immensely contributed to the modern Bengali literature.
Early Life of Bani Basu
Bani Basu is a well renowned Bengali writer, critic, poet and essayist. She was born on 11th March, 1939 in northern part of Kolkata in the state of West Bengal. Bani Basu completed her education from Lady Brabourne College, Scottish Church College and from the University of Calcutta. She completed her honours graduation and MA in English literature. She is a leading personality of the contemporary Bengali literature. This popular Bengali author of India also served as a lecturer and as the head of the department in Bijay Krishna Girls College of Howrah. She started her career as a translator and her first translation of the poems of Sri Aurobindo Ghosh was published in a magazine called "Srinvantu". After that she translated one volume of the stories of D.H. Lawrence and two separate volumes of Mangham`s. All these translations earned huge readership.
Career of Bani Basu
In the year 1980, Bani Basu began her career as an original writer with her publications in popular magazines of West Bengal like "Anandamala" (which was a Juvenile magazine) and then in "Desh" (West Bengal`s leading literary journal) and some more premier periodicals of that period. This renowned novelist and essayist write for the children as well as for the teenagers. Few of her write-ups and fictions have been transformed into popular TV serials and films. Her career as a novelist started with "Janmabhoomi Matribhoomi". The major works of this prolific writer comprise "Swet Patharer Thaala" (The Marble Salver), "Maitreya Jataka" (The Birth of the Maitreya), "Ekushe Paa" (Twenty One Steps), "Pancham Purush" (Fifth Generation or The Fifth Man), "Gandharvi", "Ashtam Garbha" (The Eighth Pregnancy) and many more. Her works like Swet Patherer Thala and Ballyguange Court have been made into films. Gandharvi, Shakambherir Dwip, Ekushe Paa and Amrita have been made into TV serials. Moreover, Nandita, Jakhan Chand and Bhab Murti have been made telefilms.
Bani Basu, one of the most creative and talented women writers of Bengali literature trapped the attention of the critic`s right from the beginning of her career. Her stories reflected the contemporary position of the state of West Bengal by populating lifelike characters. Through her work, she presents a contemplative glimpse of today`s modern society. Her work also depicts her strong sense of sociology and history. Books by Bani Basu portray themes based on contemporary and modern society of the present era.
Several books of Bani Basu have been translated in English. The books which have been translated are "Maitreya Jatak" as `The Birth of the Maitreya`, "Gandharbi" as `Gandharbi`, "Ujan Jatra" as `Ujan Jatra`, "Janmabhoomi Matribhoomi" as `Janmabhumi Matribhumi`, "Antarghat" as `Enemy Within`, "Kharap Chhelay" as `Dark Afternoons`,
Popular novels of Bani Basu
* Janmabhumi Matribhumi
* Antarghat
* Pancham Purush.
* Shet Phatharer thala
* Uttar Sadhak
* Gandharbi
* Ekushe Paa
* Britter Baire
* Meyeli Adder Halchal
* Radhanagar
* Amrita
* Kharap Chhele
* Timir Bidar
* Jharer kheya
* Maitreya Jatak
* Ashtam Garbha
* Ujan Jatra (Oriya)
* Samudra Jatra
* Khana Mihirer Dhipi
* Je Jekhane Jai
* Upanyas Panchak
* Trekers
* Shakambherir Dwip
Bani Basu has also written many story books which are really very popular. Some of the story books penned down by her are given below -
* Mohana
* Samudra
* Nana Swader Galpa
* Varandah -O-Anyanya
* Golper Sat Satero
* Jakhan Chand Ebong
Awards Received by Bani Basu
Bani Basu has achieved several prestigious awards like the "Ananda Purashkar" for "Maitreya Jataka" and the "Tarashankar Award" for "Antarghaat". She has also received the "Sahitya Setu Puraskar" and the "Sushila Devi Birla Award". In the year 2010 she received the Sahitya Academy Award by Government of India.
