Asim Basu

• Name — Asim Basu • Born — 30 November 1935 • Birthplace — Kakhada, Bhogarai, Balasore, Orissa, British India • Died — 1 February 2017 • Place of death — Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India • Occupation — Production designer Art director, Theater director, freelance columnist • Years Active — 1940-2017 • Illustration — Footage from an interview with Asim Basu.

He was born in 1935, to Motilal Basu and Bijanbala Basu in Kakhada village, Bhogarai, Balasore district. When Basu was in Kolkata during his college days, he chanced to work with actor Utpal Dutt in Minerva Theatre, Kolkata and his talents flourished in acting, direction and stage designing there. He came back to Odisha and formed a theatre group “Rupakar”.

Basu made his debut in play as a director with Bijay Mishra's 'Duiti Surya Dagdha Phula Ku Nei'. He directed around 200 plays. He has worked as a stage designer for over 500 plays and was the art director for several Odia films. He was an art-director in films like Chha Mana Atha Guntha, Indradhanura Chhai and Shodh (Hindi). He also made his appearances in many Tele films and films like Chha Mana Atha Guntha, Jaga Balia and Dadagiri.

A fund was raised by state government’s Culture department and Khordha district administration for his treatment. Basu died from lung infection on 1 February 2017 in Bhubaneswar, Odisha at the age of 81.

• Year — Film — Director — Actor — Cinematographer — Art director — Source • 1986 — Chha Mana Atha Guntha • 1990 — Maa Mate Shakti De • 1993 — Indradhanura Chhai • Dadagiri • 2001 — Hemanter Pakhi • 2010 —...And Once Again

• 'Asim Basu Memorial Award' presented by Nandanik, a Theatre group based in Koraput, Odisha was given to encourage the young theatre artist.