Prajapati

• Author: Samaresh Basu
• Genre: Novel (Upanyas)
• Format: Hardcover
• ISBN: 9788170664697
• Pages: 192
• Weight: 301 grams
• Publisher: Ananda Publishers

About the Book:

On September 24, 1985, the Supreme Court of India issued a historic ruling defining the boundaries between obscenity and literary expression in Indian literature. After 18 years of being banned, Samaresh Basu’s controversial novel Prajapati was reinstated with honor, marking a landmark moment in Indian literary history.

Initially, lower courts deemed the book obscene, leading to a ban, legal battles, and public debate. However, Supreme Court Justices R.S. Pathak and Amarendranath Sen overturned these rulings, distinguishing between vulgarity and obscenity, affirming that Prajapati did not corrupt public morality.

The novel’s protagonist captures the raw reality of youth in contemporary Bengal, using their natural language, including slang. Notably, renowned literary figures like Buddhadeb Basu and Dr. Naresh Guha defended the novel in court, arguing that it evokes empathy rather than moral corruption.

This special edition includes:
✔️ Samaresh Basu’s new foreword
✔️ Court testimonies and full Supreme Court ruling (translated into Bengali)
✔️ Original unaltered text

A groundbreaking and controversial novel, Prajapati remains an essential literary milestone, representing freedom of expression and the resilience of literature.

About the Author:

• Samaresh Basu (1924–1988) was one of Bengal’s most influential authors, known for his bold storytelling and socio-political themes.
• Wrote under the famous pseudonym "Kalpoot" since 1952.
• His travelogue-inspired novel, Amritakumbher Sandhane, gained critical acclaim.
• Wrote across multiple genres—novels, short stories, essays, and political narratives.
• His works reflect a deep engagement with history, mythology, and the socio-political landscape of India.