14-05-2025
Digital archive to connect writer Samaresh Basu to future generations of readers
In what is being considered as the first private bilingual archive of its kind for any Bengali author, the family of Samaresh Basu, one of Bengal's tallest literary figures, has created a digital archive of his private and public records so that he stays connected to the future generation of readers.
'We believe familial archives serve as vital links between personal memory and collective heritage, enriching our understanding of the past. Samaresh Basu Digital Archive is keen to work with holders of such collections and share our knowledge and expertise in this area,' said the writer's grandson Prachetash Samaddar, who, along with his wife Sampurna Chakraborty, came up with the idea.
Diverse themes
Samaresh Basu (1924-1988) was known for his novels, short stories, essays, and travelogues. He also wrote under the pseudonyms Kalkut and Bhramar, and his themes ranged from struggles of the marginalised, partisan conflicts, spiritualism, sexuality, gender dynamics, and the complexities of semi-urban aspirations.
One of his most famous and controversial novels, Prajapati (1968), was initially banned by the lower court for obscenity — an order that the Supreme Court overturned 17 years later. His stories were adapted into several acclaimed Bengali and Hindi films that include Kitaab, Namkeen (both directed by Gulzar) and Basu Chatterjee's Shaukeen.
The idea struck when the family was looking at celebrating 100 years of the writer. 'While centenary is the perfect time to look back at the bygone century, to reflect on his life and literature, we felt it is also the right occasion to think about the next century and how readers of the future generation will know and perceive Samaresh Basu's literature. It is from this forward-looking perspective that the idea of this archive was born,' Mr. Samaddar said.
'The initial aim was to preserve the familial collection, like photographs, letters, manuscripts. Then my wife Sampurna, who is an art historian and archivist herself, suggested that we take the project forward. The scope of the collection increased gradually as close friends and associates of Samaresh Basu contributed to the archive from their collection,' he added.
According to him, the form of preservation chosen was digital because, even with the best form of physical care, the longevity of paper-based documents is limited. 'But preservation alone was not enough. The real essence of the archive lies in the stories and thoughts that emerge through these collections — the image they paint of Samaresh Basu, the man and the writer. If those stories are not shared with others, the archive's purpose remains incomplete. That is why we have created a website which is hosted at Mr. Samaddar said.
Among the things they discovered during research was that Basu, when he was just 15, started editing and writing for a magazine with a group of friends. The magazine, Beena, was entirely handwritten and therefore only had one copy.
'We have been able to digitise one of the editions of that magazine, which includes Samaresh Basu's illustrations as well. Our central vision is to make records and the literary range of Samaresh Basu accessible to the world. The other is to expand the visibility of Bangla literature where literary archives can play an interlocutory role for the younger generation of readers as well as researchers,' Mr. Samaddar said.
