Basudeb Dasgupta


Basudeb Dasgupta, a Bengali novelist and short-story writer, is considered as one of the most significant avant-gardes and controversial figures in the history of Bengali literature.

Early life and education

His family came to India as refugees following the partition of Bengal in 1947. He graduated with an honours in Bengali literature from the Scottish Church College in 1961, which he followed with a degree in education. Between 1965 and till his retirement in 1999, he taught in a school.

Writings

Basudeb's major contribution to Bengali literature spanned from the early 1960s to mid 80's. His distinct styled short stories of that span include Randhanshala, Ratanpur, Basantoutsav, Riputarito, Bamanrahasya, Abhiramer Chalaphera, Leni Bruce O Gopal Bhandke, Debotader Koyekminit, Dr. Wanger Gopan Sanket, Baba and Durbin.
His only collection of short-stories Randhanshala was first published in 1965 which is considered as a Hungry-classic and reprinted in 1983.
Basudeb Dasgupta published his first novel titled Utpat in 1962 in Upadruto journal and the second one Kheladhula
in 1981 in Dandashuk journal.
Thereafter Basudeb wrote a few short stories such as Bondi Bastabata, Mrityuguha Thekey, Shesh Praharer Abhijan, Eso and Mouno Nagarir Itikatha, but he had lost the previous magical charm of his prose style and imaginative fictional world.

Books