Veteran artiste Asim Basu passed away

Bhubaneswar: (Odisha News Times Bureaue)1/2/17:Veteran stage artiste, theatre director, artist, painter and writer, Asim Basu, 81, passed away today afternoon at the Capital Hospital. He was ailing since last month. Basu, a prominent personality in the art fraternity – both fine art and theatre has contributed immensely to Odisha’s cultural scene. He started as a book cover designer when the Odia literary world was immensely active. His art-direction in films like Agni Sanketa (Odia) and Shodh (Hindi) are introduction enough for him.
Born in a small village in north Balasore, Basu had left home to learn painting in Kolkata. The recipient of the state Sangeet Natak Akademi Award is survived by his son and daughters Atasi, a painter and Bhaswati, an actress.

PROFILE OF SRI AS1M BASU

Asim Basu A house-hold name in the field of Culture in Orissa – a creative and multifaceted personality – an eminent painter, acclaimed designer, sensitive Writer, theatre and film maker who combines the technological experience of each area to bring out the creative excellence with visual and aesthetic appeal. Born 1935, in Kakhada in Balasore Diploma in Applied Arts 1959 From Indian College of Arts and Draughtsmanship, Calcutta Associate Artist, Silpapuri, Cuttack 1959-1961
f
Artist, Directorate of Health Service 1961-1967
Established “Rupakar” (A leading Art Organisation of Orissa) – 1967
Associate Editor and Art Editor- “Samabesha” (A Leading Oriya Monthly Journal)
Art Editor – “Poorva” (A Journal on Tradition & Folk Art)
Art Editor – “Avarta” (A Leading Oriya Monthly Journal)
Member Board of Examiners-
Govt. College of Arts & Crafts, Khalikote, 1973-1974
Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya, 1990-95
Member- All Orissa Children’s Art Competition Renaissance 1979. Member – Yuva Kalakar Sangha, 1966-68
Member – Rabindra Mandap Devleopment Committee, 1979.
Member – Television Technical Staff Selection Board, 1973.
Member – Working Artists Association, Bhubaneswar.
Member – Syllabus Committee, Board of Secondary Education, Orissa.
Vice-President – Godavarish Sahitya Sansad, Bhubaneswar.
President – Silpi Sansad
President – Uttar Punish (A Leading Theatre Organisation)
Member – Orissa Natya Sangh
Member – EZCC (Governing Body)

Member – Odisha Sangeet Natak Academy
Principal – Chitram School of Arts & Crafts, 1973-1976
Conceptualiser – Orissa Pavilion I.I.T.F 1999 New Delhi (Pavilion Awarded)
Conceptualiser – Puri Beach Festival, 1994-1996
RESEARCH AND PUBLICATIONS
Contributed chapter on lokanatya to the book, Loka Samskruti published by Orissa
Cultural Forum.
CactusraPhula – A story Book Collection.
Kathre Kathre – The Autobiography
FILM ACTING
Niraba Jhada, Soutuni, Jaga Balia, Dada Giri, Tara, Mukti Tirtha, Agniveena, Agni
Sanketa etc.
ART DIRECTION IN FILM
Jajabara, Soutuni, Jay Ma Mangala, Tapoi, Nijhum Ratira Sathi, Sodh(Hindi), Dora,
Parajhiya Ghara Bhangena, Agni Sanketa, Mukti Tirtha, Rana Bhumi, Batasi Jhada, etc.
ART DIRECTION THEATRES
(Selected Theatres) About 2500 plays, Selected are
Sita, Suarna Lanka, Chandan Hajuri, Sanjukta, Pasana Kavya, Athava Andara, Asadhare
Dine, Darubrahma, Banhi Kanya, Nara Devata, Bandi, Tata Niranjana, Jane Raja Thile,
Ulka, Tapaswini.
INTRODUCED FIRST REVOLVING AND TROLLY SET IN ORISSA
THEATRE ACTING
Saba Sesha Loka, Rupantar, Nishipadma, Nija Pratinidhinka Tharu, Athaba Andhar,
Athacha Chanakya, Sesha Pahacha, Puruna Chakara, Down Train etc.
RADIO PLAY
August 15, Ota, Apekshya Kara Mu Ashuchi, Tata Niranjana, Anya Aranya, Luna etc.
(A Grade Artist of A.I.R.)
ACTING IN DOORDARSHAN
Seshare Dharama Kahila, Udhaba Kete tu Pacharu, Sabita, Nishanta, Mausi, Damini(OTv)
etc.
THEATRE DIRECTION
Duiti Suryadagdha Phulaku Nei, Tata Niranjana, Athaba Andhara, Jane Raja Thile,
Athacha Chanakya, Klanta prajapati, Nishanta, Pratikhya, Down Train, Bandi, Semane bi
Mora, Parsuram, Naa, Rupantara, etc.

FELICITATIONS AND AWARDS
Prajatantra Prachar Samittee -1965, Sabuja Natya Sanstha -1988, Satabdira Kalakar -1998, Working Artist Association -1982, Orissa Sangeet Natak Akademi Award – 1998, Bhubaneswar Book Fair – 1999, Chandrabhaga Samman – 1998, Sahitya Swetapadma Samman – 2002, Mahodadhi Samman -2005, Guru Debaprasad Smruti Samman – 2003, Bishu Moharana Prativa Samman – 2005, Bindu O Balaya Prativa Samman – 2005, Sanskar Bharati Samman – 2002, Bhasa Varati Samman (Govt. of India) for the book “Kathare Kathare” -2003, Sudhi Vidya Samman – 2008, Panchamaveda Samman -2008, State Film Award for Art Direction – 2003, Orissa Film Technician Award – 2004.