P. K. Basu

P. K. Basu is a fictional detective character created by Bengali writer Narayan Sanyal.[1] These detective stories are popularly known as the Kanta (Thorn) series. Some of the stories were inspired by the novels of Erle Stanley Gardner and Agatha Christie.[2]

P. K. Basu
P. K. Basu character
Created byNarayan Sanyal
Portrayed byUttam Kumar
In-universe information
Full namePrasanna Kumar Basu
GenderMale
TitleBose (Basu)
OccupationLawyer (Barrister), Investigator
ReligionHindu
HomeKolkata
NationalityIndian

Character

The writer often referred Basu as 'The Perry Mason of the East', since Sanyal was inspired to create the character from the masterpiece of Erle Stanley Gardner. Basu's full name is Prasanna Kumar Basu and by profession he is an indomitable criminal side barrister of the Calcutta High Court. In the first story named Nagchampa, Basu is shown to be an old, unmarried man but since the novel of Sonar Kanta, the writer changed the character of Basu to an aged Barrister, whose wife Ranu is physically challenged & Suborna alias Mithu, their only daughter, has died in a car accident. P. K. Basu is not a professional detective but solves the cases through discussion and in courtroom drama. A young couple, Koushik and Sujata, live with Basu's family in his house. They form a private detective agency, Sukoushali. Very often, Basu takes their help in investigation.[3]

Stories
  • Nagchampa (Published: 1968)
  • Sonar Kanta (Published: 1974; Inspired by The Mousetrap by Agatha Christie)
  • Machher Kanta (Published: March 1975)
  • Pother Kanta (Published: January 1976)
  • Ghorir Kanta (Published: January 1977)
  • Kuler Kanta (Published: May 1978)
  • Uler Kanta (Published: May 1980, Inspired by The Case of the Perjured Parrot by Erle Stanley Gardner)
  • O-Aa-Ko Khuner Kanta (Published: 1987, Inspired by The A.B.C. Murders by Agatha Christie)
  • Sarmeyo Genduker Kanta (Published: 1989, Inspired by Dumb Witness by Agatha Christie)[2]
  • Koutuholi Koner Kanta (Published: 1993)
  • Abhi Purbak Nee Dhatu O-er Kanta (Published in 1994, Inspired by The Case of the Restless Redhead by Erle Stanley Gardner)
  • Nyay Nishtha Nyasnasheer Kanta (Published: 1994)
  • Dwi Boibahik Kanta Inspired by The Case of Bigamous spouse by Erle Stanley Gardener
  • Jom Duare Porlo Kanta (Published in 1994)[4]
  • Jadu Eto Boro Ronger Kanta
  • Ristedarer Kanta (Published: 1992; Inspired by: The Case of the Beautiful Beggar by Erle Stanley Gardner).
  • Dress Rehearsaler Kanta (Inspired by: Three Act Tragedy by Agatha Christie).
  • Bisher Kanta (Published: 1996) Inspired by: The Case of the Lucky Legs by Erle Stanley Gardner
  • Dress Reharshal-er Kanta (Published: 1998)
  • Darpone Pratibimbito Kanta (Published: 1999)
  • Sokol Kanta Dhyonyo Kore (Published: 1999)
  • Chnaparonger Murshidabadi Sharir Kanta (Published: 2001)[5]
  • Monalisa'r Kanta (Published: 2001)
  • Iskapan Bibir Kanta (Published: 2001, Inspired by The King of Clubs by Agatha Christie)
  • Haripada Keranir Kanta (Published: January 2001)[6]

Adaptation

The first story of P. K. Basu Nagchampa was adapted in a Bengali movie named Jadi Jantem, which was released on 1 March 1974. This film was directed by Yatrik (Tarun Majumdar) and starred by Uttam Kumar as P. K. Basu, Ruma Guha Thakurta as Ranu, Soumitra Chatterjee as Koushik and Supriya Choudhury as Sujata. Narayan Sanyal himself wrote the dialogues.[7][8] In 2018, director Haranath Chakraborty set a film titled Kantaye Kantaye based on the story Haripada Keranir Kaanta. Ranjit Mallick has been roped in for the role of P. K. Basu, but the film has not been released.[9]

References
  1. "Prasanna Kumar Basu by Narayan Sanyal - Famous Bengali detectives who have made it to the big screen". The Times of India. Retrieved 2021-12-28.
  2. Vol - 2, Narayan Sanyal (January 2000). Kantay Kantay (Bengali). Kolkata: Dey's Publishing. p. 8. ISBN 81-7612-563-6.
  3. "Go goyenda! A guide to the Bengali detectives". Harvard Business School's. Retrieved June 26, 2017.
  4. Vol - 4, Narayan Sanyal (2014). Kantay Kantay (Bengali). Kolkata: Dey's Publishing. p. 263. ISBN 978-81-295-1296-3.
  5. Vol - 5, Narayan Sanyal (2015). Kantay Kantay (Bengali). Kolkata: Dey's Publishing. p. 5. ISBN 978-81-295-2263-4.
  6. Sanyal, Narayan (1959). Ek Brinte Duti Kanta.
  7. "Jadi Jantem". timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Retrieved June 26, 2017.
  8. "Jadi Jantem (1974)". imdb.com. Retrieved June 26, 2017.
  9. RadioBanglaNet (2018-04-05). "Four Decades Later, Barrister PK Basu Returns on the Big Screen". RadioBanglaNet. Retrieved 2021-12-28.
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