RECOGNITIONS

Swpan Basu began his "Musical Career" far back before he even completed his educational career in the year 1979, when he got selected as a regular artist in AIR and DoorDarshan Kendra Kolkata. In 1979 he was selected as the "Ujjal Prativa" (bright Talent ) in folk music from AIR and 1994 was appointed as examiner for the M.A examination in vocal folk music in Rabindra Bharati University.

Swapan Basu not only popularized the folk songs of Bengal but also extensively worked for the music of rural India .He identified his soul with the melodious folk tunes and consequently he was awarded in various ways by different esteemed institutions and organizations as a token of appreciation respect and love towards his complete devotion in making the unnoticed folk songs that were flowing for time immemorial to reach to innumerable people.

In 1981 he was awarded the National Scholarship for Folk Music by the Ministry Of Education, Government Of India.

In 1984 he was the awardee of the research fellowship for the Ethno-musicology by the anthropological survey of India.

In 1987 he was awarded the Research Fellowship for being an Outstanding Artist in the field of Performing Arts by the Ministry Of HRD Government Of India.

In 1991 he was awarded the Golden disk for outstanding sale of his cassettes and it was an honour to him by his countless fans and listeners.

Again in 1992 he was the awardee as an Outstanding Young Person Of Kolkata by North Calcutta Junior Chamber and Emami Group Of Industries for achieving excellence in the field of Music.

STYLES AND OTHER ACTIVITIES

Swapan Basu, the maestro, the versatile enough not to confine one self to a particular form of folk music . Such a form of music has a large diversity in itself difficult to measure .However , it was not difficult for this versatile artist who find himself easy with any kind of instrument ranging from Ektara, Dotara, Banjo, Guitar, Anando Lahari etc. with the help of which he experimented with the different Ethnic forms of Folk Music of Eastern India , like Bhatiyali, Baul, Bhaoyaiya, Chatka, Jhumur, etc . and has remodeled and moulded them with his own in genuinity to make them more susceptible and enriched .

Apart from the AIR and Doordarshan Kendra Kolkata, he also used to recite folk songs in Public performances in different parts of India, USA, Canada etc. where he enthralled and made the audiences enliven with his music, arranged by many reputed voluntary organizations. Swapan Basu, also performed in the Youth Festivals, organized by the Government Of West Bengal and participated in various seminars and folk music along with the demonstrations thereon. Simultaneouly sincerely he has been deeply involved in the Research Of the "Folk influence Of Rabindra Sangeet" and also published a cassette recommended by "Viswa Varati" .

As a part of his versatility he showed his talents alongside his musical profession where he acted in a six episode T.V.serial, named "Surantar", based on folk music of Bengal, as a researcher ,singer and actor which was telecasted on 1991. He has also to his credit another T.V.Serial named "ChandraBati Katha", a folk Ballad , composed and entire music directed by him. However, he does not like to forget his role in the upbringing of next generations and likes to save up some of the time form his daily busy schedule life towards the coaching of some students on Folk Music and Research.

Swaspan Basu did not only enriched himself with his researches but equally likes to share them up with the common mass by the publication of some of his valuable research works on "Ko Lapalang Song", an ethno-musicological study of Khasi of Meghalay in "HUMAN SCIENCE" ( Journal of the Anthropological Survey of India, Goverment of India) vol. 35, no. 4, pp 305-311. on folk music of Khashi of Meghalaya where the Research Report was submitted to the Anthropological Survey of India for publication and others can be enlisted as follows:

1. "LOK Sangeet er Ahoron o Sanrakhsan " published by Ekabingsha, September 1996.

2."Ei Jharna Dharaey" - published in Aajkal, a local daily 30th March 1993.

3. "Gramer Jal Haoyaatei Beche Thakbe Loko Sangskriti" in Ananda Bazar Patrika, 8th August 2000.

4. "Tijan Bai" in Sananda, 5th September 1991.

All these research documents, along with a "not so small" list of Cassettes and Records from different companies every year like :-

A versatile Persona, a role model for the youngsters and music lovers, a man really down to earth and above all a person fully devoted towards the songs of soul, of heart, of mind...the folk songs of Bengal and India.... in his very own way.