Ananda Puraskar
2 appearances
-
Edition 50 (1997) Winner
Bani Basu
バニ・バス
Bani Basu
Profile
- Gender
- Female
- Born
- 1939-03-11 （Calcutta (now Kolkata), British India）
- Nationality
- India
- Languages
- Bengali, English
Career
- Occupations
- Writer, Professor of English, Poet, Translator, Critic
- Active Years
- 1980-
Education
| Institution | Faculty | Department | Degree | Period | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lady Brabourne College | — | — | — | — | India |
| Scottish Church College | — | — | — | — | India |
| University of Calcutta | Faculty of Arts | English Department | M.A.（英語） | — | India |
Lady Brabourne College
Country:
India
Scottish Church College
Country:
India
University of Calcutta
Faculty of Arts
/ English Department
Degree:
M.A.（英語）
Country:
India
Received M.A. in English
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Tarashankar Award | Antarghāt | — | — | Winner |
| 1997 | Ananda Puraskar | Maitreya Jātak | — | — | Winner |
| — | Sushila Devi Birla Award | — | — | — | Winner |
| 1995 | Sahitya Setu Puraskar | — | — | — | Winner |
| 1997 | Siromoni Award | — | — | — | Winner |
| 1998 | Bankim Award | — | — | — | Winner |
| 1998 | Mahadevi Birla Award | — | — | — | Winner |
| 2003 | Katha Award | — | — | Katha | Winner |
| 2007 | Pratima Mitra Smriti Award | — | — | — | Winner |
| 2008 | Kabi Kritibas Sahitya Award | — | — | — | Winner |
| 2008 | Bhuban Mohini Dasi Swarna Padak (Calcutta University) | — | — | Calcutta University | Recipient |
| — | Sachindra Nath Sahitya Award | — | — | — | Winner |
| 2010 | Sahitya Akademi Award | — | — | Sahitya Akademi | Winner |
Tarashankar Award
1991
Work:
Antarghāt
Result:
Winner
Ananda Puraskar
1997
Work:
Maitreya Jātak
Result:
Winner
Sushila Devi Birla Award
Result:
Winner
Sahitya Setu Puraskar
1995
Result:
Winner
Siromoni Award
1997
Result:
Winner
Bankim Award
1998
Result:
Winner
Mahadevi Birla Award
1998
Result:
Winner
Katha Award
2003
Organization:
Katha
Result:
Winner
Pratima Mitra Smriti Award
2007
Result:
Winner
Kabi Kritibas Sahitya Award
2008
Result:
Winner
Bhuban Mohini Dasi Swarna Padak (Calcutta University)
2008
Organization:
Calcutta University
Result:
Recipient
Sachindra Nath Sahitya Award
Result:
Winner
Sahitya Akademi Award
2010
Organization:
Sahitya Akademi
Result:
Winner
Awards & Nominations
Sahitya Akademi Award to Bengali Writers
1 appearances
-
Edition 53 (2010) Winner
Works
Major Works
A Plate of White Marble
1990 NovelA novel that explores the plight of widows and the social pressures they face, blending psychological insight and social critique.
Women's statusSocial critiquePsychological portrait
Adaptations
- [Film] Swet Patherer Thala (film)
- [TV Serial] Swet Patherer Thala (TV serial)
Translations
- English translation: A Plate of White Marble (first English translation published 2020)
Gandharvi
1993 Novel / NovellaA narrative that mixes mythic elements with modern human relationships, notable for motifs rooted in music and lore.
MythMusicTradition vs. modernity
Adaptations
- [Film/TV] Gandharvi (film and TV serial)
Turning Twenty One
1994 NovelDeals with coming-of-age themes and identity, portraying psychological and social conflicts as a young person approaches adulthood.
Coming of ageIdentityAdolescence
Adaptations
- [TV Serial] Ekushe Pa (TV serial)
Maitreya Jātak (The Birth of the Maitreya)
1999 Historical / Mythological novelSet against Buddhist tradition and historical elements, the novel reexamines human relationships with faith. It has received attention in English translation.
ReligionHistoryFaith
Translations
- English edition: The Birth of the Maitreya (published by Stree)
Khanamihirer's Dhipi
2009 Children's literature / NovelA work for children and young adults containing adventure and mystery elements. It has also been adapted for screen.
AdventureMysteryComing of age
Bibliography
- Swet Pātharer Thālā (1990)
- Gāndharbi (1993)
- Mohanā (1993)
- Ekushe Pā (1994)
- Maitreya Jātak (1999)
- Upanyās Panchak (1999)
- Ashtam Garbha (2000)
- Antarghāt
- Pancham Purush
- Khanamihirer's Dhipi (2009)
- Kharap Chele
- Meyeli Addar Halchal
Adaptations
- Swet Patherer Thala (film / TV adaptations)
- Gandharvi (film / TV)
- Ekushe Pa (TV serial)
- Nandita (telefilm)
- Balleygunge Court (telefilm)
Translations of Works
- English translation of Swet Pātharer Thala — A Plate of White Marble (first English translation published 2020)
- Maitreya Jātak English edition — The Birth of the Maitreya (published by Stree)
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- Blend of realism and mythEmphasis on psychological characterizationSocially critical perspective
- Recurring Motifs
- Women's plightReligion and faithMusic and folkloreGrowth and sexuality
Legacy
Bani Basu is a prolific contributor to Bengali literature, noted for works that probe women's and social issues, as well as for her children's literature and translations. Many of her works have been adapted for screen and she has received numerous national literary awards.
In Popular Culture
- Several novels have been adapted into films and TV series, influencing Bengali popular culture.
Trivia
- Born in 1939 (age 86 as of 2025)
- Major work 'Swet Pātharer Thala' received its first English translation in 2020
- Prolific author writing for both children and adults