Bratya Basu

Bratya Basu (born 25 September 1969)[1] is a Bengali actor, stage director, playwright, film director, professor and a politician. Basu was West Bengal's minister for education till May 2014 and was then assigned the tourism portfolio.[2][3][4] He was elected a MLA, from the Dum Dum constituency in 2011 Assembly Election of West Bengal.

Bratya Basu
Bratya Basu at 5th International Theatre Festival, Kolkata, 2016
Minister for Information Technology and Electronics (West Bengal)
Assumed office
20 May 2016
GovernorKeshari Nath Tripathi
Minister of Tourism
In office
20 May 2014 – 12 May 2016
GovernorM. K. Narayanan Keshari Nath Tripathi
Preceded byKrishnendu Narayan Choudhury
Succeeded byGoutam Deb
Minister of School Education Education
In office
20 May 2011 – 20 May 2014
GovernorM. K. Narayanan
Preceded byProf. Sudarsan Roy Chowdhury
Succeeded byPartha Chatterjee
MLA
Assumed office
2011
GovernorM. K. Narayanan
Preceded byRekha Goswami
ConstituencyDum Dum
Personal details
Born (1969-09-25) 25 September 1969
Political partyAll India Trinamool Congress
Alma materPresidency College, Kolkata
University of Calcutta

Early life

Bratya Basu was born in Calcutta to professor Dr. Bishnu Basu and educational administrator Dr. Neetika Basu. His early name was Bratyabrata Basu Roy Chowdhury. He came from the "Basu Roy Chowdhury" family at Ulpur (now In Faridpur, Bangladesh). He studied Bangla at Presidency College .and Calcutta University

Career

Bratya Basu started his career as a sound operator for the theatre group Ganakrishti[5] and soon started writing and directing plays with the group. The themes of his writings focus on political fantasy, nature-human relationships, connection between music and life, ethical values and its lack, conflict between love and revolt, bonding between time and culture.[6] Bratya Basu joined City College, Kolkata as an assistant professor in the department of Bengali. But his passion for theatre could not confine him to the teacher's room of a college. He launched his career as a dramatist with the play Ashaleen (1996) [7] (or Ora Panchjon), described by theatre critics as the first postmodernist Bengali play.[8] His noted plays thereafter include Aranyadeb, Shahar Yaar, Virus-M, Winkle-Twinkle, etc. These plays are not only popular but also unique in different genres of modern literary theatre and subject to manifold interpretations. His other important plays include Ruddhasangeet, Chatushkon, Hemlat - the Prince of Garanhata, Krishna Gahobar, Sateroi July, Bikele Bhorer Sorshey Phool, Supari Killer, Boma etc. A compilation of his plays has been published in three volumes in 2004, 2010 and in 2016 respectively. He has even directed three films - Raasta[9] which has a theme of youth moving into terrorism, Teesta [10] a film on society and the failure of romance, Tara and acted in many films which include Kaalbela,[11] Icchey, Sthaniyo Sambad, Hemlock Society, Muktodhara etc. Basu has bagged many awards and recognition. Some of them include the Shyamal Sen Memorial award (1998), Dishari Award (2000),[12] Satyen Mitra Award (2000, 2002, 2003, 2017),[13] Shambhu Mitra Samman, conferred by Rajdanga Dyotak, Khaled Choudhury Samman, conferred by Abhash, Shilpayan Samman and the prestigious Ritwik Ghatak Smriti Puroskar, conferred by Rajshahi Ritwik Ghatak Memorial Committee, Republic of Bangladesh.[14] In the 26th Annual Kalakar Awards 2018, he has won the Special Jury Award 2018 for his outstanding performance in the film Baranda.[15]. He is conferred with Sera Bangali 2019 award, the most prestigious award in Bengal for his exemplary contribution in theatrical art form.[16] Added to his laurels in 2019 is the prestigious Dinabandhu Mitra Puroskar conferred by Paschim Banga Natya Akademi, a wing of the Department of Information and Cultural Affairs, Govt. of WB in recognition to his distinctiveness as a playwright, an actor and a stage director in contemporary times.[17] Film Companion, an online platform for Independent Film Journalism has chosen his performance as an actor, as Moloy in the film Asamapta, directed by Suman Mukhopadhyay as one of the 100 Greatest Performances of the Decade in Indian Cinema[18]

Hemlat, The Prince of Garanhata has won the critical acclaims from academic researchers for the adaptation. Sam Kolodezh of the University of California, Irvine, Drama and theatre heaped praise on Bratya's adaptation.[19] Formerly Associate Professor, Kuwait University and a Life-member of Shakespeare Society of Eastern India, Antony Johae [20] is so moved by the contemporary Indianization of Shakespear's mastertext that he lectured across India on Hemlat. Mr. Johae has contributed a research paper on Hemlat in the Vol-V, No.VIII of The International Journal of Cultural Studies and Social Sciences, edited by Dr Prof Amitava Roy.,[21] formerly Shakespeare Professor of Rabindra Bharati University and president and co founder of Shakespeare Society of Eastern India and Prof Ronan Paterson.,[22] an actor, director and a producer for theatre, film in Britain and Ireland and an extensive writer on Shakespeare.

Bratya Basu has created his own space in contemporary theatre by moving beyond its existing boundaries. He has formed the theatre group Kalindi Bratyajon [23] in 2008. The first theatrical production of Bratyajon was Ruddhasangeet (2009), a play on the Rabindrasangeet exponent Debabrata Biswas's journey of bitter struggle throughout his life in the prevailing system. The play received instant critical and popular acclaim and has so far staged more than a record 150 shows [24] to packed houses. After producing "Boma" in 2015, a period piece that rips off the masks of the Bengali freedom fighters which reveals jealousies, greed for power and internal conflicts Basu has interestingly produced another untold history of Bengal spanning 1757 and 1764. The play, "Mir Jafar" [25] showcases the power politics and game of minds to unravel the complexities in which 'Mir Jafar' continues to retain the emblematic representation and throne of the 'Universal betrayer' in all societies in all times.


List of Plays Written and Directed by Bratya Basu :

  • Ashalin (Indecent) Produced by Ganakrishti ISBN 8177564323
  • Aranyadeb (The Phantom) Produced by Ganakrishti ISBN 8177564323
  • Shahar Yaar (Friend in the City) Produced by Ganakrishti ISBN 8177564323
  • Chotuskon (The Quadrangle) Produced by Ganakrishti ISBN 8177564323
  • Virus- M Produced by Ganakrishti ISBN 8177564323
  • Page 4: It’s also a game Produced by Lokokrishti ISBN 8177564323
  • Hemlat- The Prince of Garanhata (Adaptation from ‘Hamlet’ by William Shakespeare) Produced by Ballygunj Swapnasuchona ISBN 9788177569438
  • Krishnagawabhar (The Blackhole ) Produced by Niva Arts ISBN 9788177569438
  • Sateroi July (17 July) (Original play: 'They Shall Not Die' by John Wexley, Manusher Adhikare by Utpal Dutta )Produced by Ganakrishti
  • Ruddhasangeet (Song of the Outcast)(Play on Rabindrasangeet exponent Debabrata Biswas) Produced by Bratyajon ISBN 9788177569438
  • Canvasser (Adaptation from a short story of Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay, Written by Sekhar Samaddar) Produced by Kalindi Bratyajon
  • Byomkesh (Adaptation from a short story of Late Saradindu Bandyopadhyay, Written by Ujjal Chattopadhyay) Produced by Kalindi Bratyajon
  • Cinemar Moto (Like a Movie) Produced by Kalindi Bratyajon ISBN 9789350406786
  • Ke? (Who?) Produced by Kalindi Bratyajon ISBN 9789350406786
  • Boma (Bomb) Produced by Kalindi Bratyajon ISBN 9789350406786
  • Banijye Basate Lakshmi Produced by Paikpara Indraranga ISBN 9789350202562
  • Mir Jafar Produced by Kalindi Bratyajon ISBN 9789350203606


List of other Plays Directed by Bratya Basu :

  • Chaturango (Adaptation from Tagore's Novel Written by Sekhar Samaddar) Produced by Purba Pashchim .[26]
  • Kanyadaan (Written by Vijay Tendulkar Produced by Ballygunj Swapnasuchona .[27]
  • Mumbai Nights (Adaptation from the play: ‘Twelfth Night’ of William Shakespeare, Written by Debashis Roy) Produced by Minarva Repertory .[28]
  • Meghe Dhaka Tara (Based on the Bengali film ‘Meghe Dhaka Tara’, directed by Ritwik Ghatak, theatrical script written by Ujjal Chattopadhyay) Produced by Naihati Bratyajon .[29]
  • Awdyo Shesh Rajani (Based on a novel by Shaymal Ganopadhyay on theatre worker Asim Chakraborty, written by Ujjal Chattopadhyay) Produced by Paikpara Indrarango.[30]
  • Ekush Gram (Based on the English film '21 Grams' directed by Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, theatrical script written by Ujjal Chattopadhyay) Produced by Naihati Bratyajon.,[31][32]
  • Athoi Jal (Based on the novel written by Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay, theatrical script written by Ujjal Chattopadhyay) Produced by Purva Paschim [33]


List of Plays Bratya Basu acted, directed and produced by other theatre groups:

  • Mulya (Original play: The Price by Arthur Miller, Adapted by Asit Mukhopadhyay) Produced by Ballygunge Bratyajon, Directed by Debashis Roy[34]
  • Sateroi July (Written by Bratya Basu being inspired by John Wexley's 'They shall not die' and Utpal Dutta's 'Manusher Adhikare') Produced by Thealovers, Directed by Debashis Dutta [35]


List of Plays Written by Bratya Basu, directed and produced by other theatre groups:

  • Prachhaya (Original play: The Doppelganger by John Middlton Synge) Produced by Ganakrishti, Directed by Sabyasachi Chatterjee
  • Ora Panchjon (5 persons) (Original play: Five Finger Exercise by Peter Shaffer) Produced by Ganakrishti, Directed by Amitava Dutta
  • Aagunmukho (Original play:‘Feuergesicht’ (Fireface) By Marius von Mayenburg )Produced by Max Muellar Bhavan, Directed by Suman Mukhopadhyay
  • Mukhomukhi Bosibar (Coming Face to face) Produced by Swapnosandhani, Directed by Kaushik Sen
  • Winkle Twinkle Produced by Sansriti, Directed by Debesh Chattopadhyay
  • Babli Produced by Drishyapat, Directed by Anirban Bhattacharya
  • Mrityu Ishwar Jounota (Death, Almighty and Desire) Produced by Srijak, Directed by Debashish Basu and also Produced by Ashoke Nagar Bratyajon, Directed by Abhi Chakraborty
  • Babarer Prarthana (Babar's Entreaty) Produced by : Kalyani Natya Charcha Kendra, Directed by Kishore Sengupta
  • Darjiparar Marjinara (Marjinas of Darjipara) Produced by Swapna Sandhani, Directed by Koushik Sen
  • Bhoy (Fear) Produced by Swapna Sandhani, Directed by Koushik Sen
  • Bikele Bhorer Shorshe Fool Produced by Sansriti, Directed by Debesh Chattopadhyay
  • Chatuskon (The Quadrangle) Produced by Avash, Directed by Sekhar Samaddar
  • Apatoto Eivaabe Dujoner Dekha Hoye Thaake (This is how we two met) Produced by Sansriti, Directed by Debesh Chattopadhyay
  • Altaf Gomes Produced by Sansriti, Directed by Debesh Chattopadhyay
  • Duto Din (Two Days) Produced by Pancham Vaidik, Directed by Arpita Ghosh
  • Jotugriho Produced by Sansriti, Directed by Debesh Chattopadhyay also Produced by Shantipur Sanskritik, Directed by Kaushik Chattopadhyay
  • Anandibai ( Based on the story written by Parashuram) Produced by Howrah Bratyajon, Directed by Debasish Biswas
  • Chatuskon ( in Hindi) Produced by Aakar Kala Sangam, New Delhi, Directed by Suresh Bharadwaj
  • Ila Guroisha (Electra Complex) Produced by Theatre Platform, Directed by Debashis Roy
  • Page 4: It’s also a game Produced by IFTA, Directed by Debashish Dutta
  • Jib Jantu (Animals) Produced by Theatre Platform, Directed by Debasish Roy and also Rabindranagar Natyayudh, Directed by Dani Karmakar
  • Fourth Bell Produced by IFTA, Directed by Debashis Dutta
  • Anusochona (Lament) Produced by Ayenda, Directed by Biplab Bandyopadhyay
  • Hridipash (Around your heart) Produced by Theatre Platform, Directed by Debashis Roy
  • Ekdin Aladin Produced by Swapnalu, Directed by Premangshu Roy. Reproduced by Paikpara Indraranga, Directed by Kanchan Mallick
  • Ami Anukulda Ar Ora Produced by Asoknagar Natyamukh, Directed by Avi Chakraborty
  • Aranyadeb Reproduced by Swapnalu, Directed by Premangshu Roy
  • Bhoy Produced by Thealight, Directed by Atanu Sarkar
  • Creusa, The Queen Produced by Chetana, Directed by Sujan Mukhopadhyay[36][37]


List of Books Written by Bratya Basu:

  • Natok Samagra - Complete Works of Plays - Volume 1 Published by Ananda Publishers, Introduction by Sunil Gangopadhyay, 2004 ISBN 8177564323
  • Natok Samagra - Complete Works of Plays - Volume 2 Published by Ananda Publishers, Introduction by Joy Goswami, 2010 ISBN 9788177569438
  • Natok Samagra - Complete Works of Plays - Volume 3 Published by Ananda Publishers, Introduction by Prof Swapan Chakraborty, 2016ISBN 9789350406786
  • Duti Natak - Published by Deep Prakashan,2011
  • Aro Duti Natak - Published by Deep Prakashan,2014
  • Ebar Tinti Natak - Published by Deep Prakashan,2015ISBN 9789384561208
  • Eibare Duti Natak - Published by Deep Prakashan,2016
  • Prasanga Theatre - Published by Saptarshi Prakashan, 2016 ISBN 9789382706960
  • Bishnu Basu Prabandha Samagra : Edited by Bratya Basu - Published by Deep Prakashan
  • Boma - Published by Karigar,2016 ISBN 9789381640739
  • Notegach o Onyanyo Lekha - Published by Karigar,2017 ISBN 9789381640906
  • Company Theatre - Published by Deep Prakashan
  • Bratyajon Natyapatra Nirbachito Probondho Sankalan Edited by Bratya Basu - Published by Deep Prakashan, 2015
  • Bratyajon Natyapatra (Annual Theatre Journal in Bengali) : Edited by Bratya Basu - Published by Deep Prakashan,2017
  • Troyee - Published by Mitra O Ghosh Publishers, 2017 ISBN 9789350202562
  • Gadya Sangraha - Published by Dey's Publishing, 2019 ISBN 9789388351515
  • Mir Jafar o Onyanyo Natok - Published by Mitra O Ghosh Publisher, 2019 ISBN 9789350203606
  • Berin Taranger Nitol Mukta Prabal - Published by Signet Press, 2019 ISBN 9789388870689
  • Tin Aatotayee - Published by 365 Din Prakashan, 2020 ISBN 9781565812314
  • Je Katha Baloni Age e Bachar sei Katha Balo - Published by Deep Prakashan,2020 ISBN 9789389584561


List of translated Books of Bratya Basu:

  • Select Plays in English translation : Edited by Prof. Amitava Roy - Published by Deep Prakashan
  • Hemlat – The Prince of Garanhata : Edited by Prof. Amitava Roy, Tapu Biswas and Suchandra Ghosh
  • Chatuskon Ebom Anyo Natak (Hindi): Translated by Soma Bandyopadhyay. Published by Rajkamal Prakashan,2014 ISBN 9788126726820
  • Kaun? (Hindi): Translated by Mantu Das - Published by Sahitya Bhandar, Allahabad, 2015 ISBN 9788177794465
  • Lakshagriha Ebom Anyo Natak (Hindi): Translated by Soma Bandyopadhyay - Published by Rajkamal Prakashan P L, 2016 ISBN 9788126729470


List of films directed by Bratya Basu:

  • Rasta Directed by Bratya Basu in 2003[38]
  • Teesta Directed by Bratya Basu in 2005[39]
  • Tara Directed by Bratya Basu in 2010[40]
  • Dictionary Directed by Bratya Basu (on the making)[41]


List of films Bratya Basu acted:

  • Harbert Directed by Suman Mukhopadhyay[42]
  • Sthanio Sangbad Directed by Mainak Biswas and Arjun Gourisaria [43]
  • Kaal Bela Directed by Goutam Ghosh [44]
  • Hello Memshaheb Directed by Shibaprasad Mukhopadhyay and Nandita Roy [45]
  • Ichhe Directed by Shibaprasad Mukhopadhyay and Nandita Roy [46]
  • Kagojer Bou (Guest Artiste) Directed by Bappaditya Bandyopadhyay and edited by Dipak Mandal [47]
  • Tin Kannya (Guest Artiste) Directed by Agnidev Chattopadhyay[48]
  • Muktodhara Directed by Shibaprasad Mukhopadhyay and Nandita Roy[49]
  • Hemlock Society Directed by Srijit Mukherji[50]
  • Balukabela.com Directed by Partha sen [51]
  • Sunglass (Guest Artiste) Directed by Rituparno Ghosh[52]
  • Mahakash Kando Directed by Nitish Roy[53]
  • Mahapurush O Kapurush Directed by Aniket Chattopadhyay[54]
  • Golemale Pirit Koro Na Directed by Anindya Bandyopadhyay
  • Parapar Directed by Sanjoy Nag[55]
  • Jogajog Directed by Sekhar Das[56]
  • Natoker Moto Directed by Debesh Chattopadhyay[57]
  • Kalkijug Directed by Debarati Gupta[58]
  • Abby Sen Directed by Atanu Ghosh[59]
  • Double Feluda Directed by Sandip Ray [60]
  • Gangstar Directed by Birsa Dasgupta [61]
  • Asamapto Directed by Suman Mukhopadhyay [62]
  • Chilekotha Directed by Premangshu Roy[63]
  • Baranda Directed by Reshmi Mitra[64]
  • Manojder Advut Bari Directed by Anindya Chattopadhyay[65]
  • Bahoman Directed by Anumita Dasgupta [66]
  • Uhader Katha Directed by Aniruddha Dhar [67]


Political career

Bratya Basu won the West Bengal Assembly polls in 2011 on a Trinamool Congress ticket against a CPI(M) Minister, Gautam Deb from the Dum Dum (Vidhan Sabha constituency). He was made Minister for Higher Education in Mamata Banerjee's cabinet. He decided to launch a survey to get a correct picture of the state's higher education situation.[68]

See also

References
  1. Bratya Basu, Natak samagra (collected plays), Ananda Publishers, 2004
  2. "The Ministry". The Telegraph. Calcutta, India. 21 May 2011. Archived from the original on 26 October 2012. Retrieved 21 May 2011.
  3. "Bratya shifted to tourism, Partha new education minister, Mitra to see IT also". The Statesman. 28 May 2014. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  4. "West Bengal: In significant reshuffle, two ministers allotted crucial portfolios". India Today. 18 November 2019. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  5. "Man for all seasons". The Telegraph. Calcutta, India. 6 May 2006.
  6. "Natak Samgra". Calcutta, India.
  7. "Natak Samagra". IIT Kanpur. Calcutta, India.
  8. "Profile Bratya Basu, Complete list of Bengali movies and Books". Washington Bangla Radio on Internet. Calcutta, India.
  9. "Raasta Cast and Crew". 29 January 2003. Archived from the original on 17 February 2013.
  10. "Tista Cast and Crew". 29 January 2005.
  11. "Kaalbela-Review". 29 January 2009.
  12. "Dishari Award". Kolkat Bengal Info. Calcutta, India.
  13. "Satyen Mitra award". stagebuzz.org. Calcutta, India.
  14. "Remembering Ritwik". The Times of India. Calcutta, India. 19 November 2017.
  15. "Kalakar Awards 2017". hollybollytolly.com. Calcutta, India. 16 January 2018.
  16. "Sera Bangali Awards 2019". 3 August 2019.
  17. "Bratya Basu wins prestigious Dinabandhu Mitra Puroskar". 28 November 2019.
  18. "100 Best Performances of Indian Cinema 2019". 21 November 2019.
  19. "Waiting with Anticipation: Bratya Basu's Hemlat, The Prince of Garanhata". Theatre International,Vol -VIII.
  20. "Shakespeare Society of Eastern India".
  21. "Shakespeare Society of Eastern India".
  22. "Ronan Paterson".
  23. "Kalindi Bratyajon".
  24. "Natyoshala". Natyoshala. 12 June 2012. Archived from the original on 27 July 2011. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  25. "Mir Jafar". Meraevents. 20 September 2018.
  26. "Chaturanga".
  27. "Drama Review Vijay Tendulakar's Kanyadan".
  28. "Review – Mumbai Nights".
  29. "Meghe Dhaka Tara".
  30. "Tribute to a Stalwart".
  31. "Sunday Date with Bratya Basu".
  32. "Ekush Gram, a protest, not a review".
  33. "Unplugging Bibhutibhushan on Stage".
  34. "Mulya, the values and vindication".
  35. "Raising the bar at Sabhaghar Theatre Festival".
  36. "Bratya Basu pens play for Sujan Mukhopadhyay".
  37. "Rani Creusa dipicts the fallacy of democracy".
  38. "Rasta (2003)".
  39. "Tista Cast and Crew". 29 January 2005.
  40. "Tara (2010)".
  41. "Dictionary (2020)".
  42. "Herbert (2006)".
  43. "Staniyo Sambaad (2009)".
  44. "Kaalbela (2009)".
  45. "Hello Memsaheb (2011)".
  46. "Icche (2011)".
  47. "Kagojer Bou (2011)".
  48. "Teen Kanya (2012)".
  49. "Muktodhara (2012)".
  50. "Hemlock Society (2012)".
  51. "Balukabela.com (2012)".
  52. "Sunglass (2013)".
  53. "Mahakash Kando (2013)".
  54. "Mahapurush O Kapurush (2013)".
  55. "Parapar (2014)".
  56. "Jogajog (2015)".
  57. "Natoker Moto (2015)".
  58. "Kalkijug (2015)".
  59. "Abby Sen (2015)".
  60. "Double Feluda (2016)".
  61. "Gangster (2016)".
  62. "Asamapto (2016)".
  63. "Chilekotha (2017)".
  64. "Movie Review:Baranda (2017)".
  65. "Soumitra and Sandhya play royal couple (2018)".
  66. "Aparna Soumitrer Premer Rasayan (2019)".
  67. "FilmFreeway (2019)".
  68. "The Week". Week.manoramaonline.com. Retrieved 12 June 2012.
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