Taraceen Baskey, a distinguished Santali writer, story-teller, poet and essayist was born on 3rd April, 1968 to Panu Baskey and Sitalmoni Baskey, at Panpuria, a village surrounded by Sal forest under Lalgrah Block of Jhargram District of West Bengal. His original name is Turia Chand Baskey. Turia Chand means ‘Tiny Moon’ in Santali. He is the third child of his parents. During his childhood days, he was fond of sports and games, fishing and hunting.
He was a meritorious student. He received his early education at village primary school. Thereafter, he admitted to Banpukhuria junior High school. He studied upto class seven there. He passed M P examination from Ramgarh M S High School and HS from Nayabasat Parbatimoyee Sikshaniketan respectively in the year of 1984 and1986. Then he got admission at Silda Chandrasekhar College for higher study.
He obtained Bachelor’s of Arts degree in 1990. He started his profession as an English teacher at Babupur Agricultural High School, Haldia on 3rd May, 1995. He teaches Hindi besides English. He got lot of inspiration from two teachers; one was Mangal Saren, a teacher of their village primary school and another was Fani Bhushan Goswami. He was inspired deeply with the words of Mangal Saren and inclined him to begin literary practice. Mangal Soren usually came to their house and discussed with his father Panu Baskey about various aspects of Santals’ society, rituals and religion.
He made his debut as a writer during his school days. In 1982, when he was reading in class nine, a notification was released about that their School is going to be brought out an annual magazine. Santal students can provide their writings in Santali and non Santal students can submit their writings either in Santali or Bengali.
Santal students can submit their writings to Dakhin Chandra Murmu, Editor of Debon Tingun (Let’s Stand). All the Santal Students returned to their home to bring articles from their elders. Seeing this, Taraceen fall in deep thoughts, what he will submit. He wrote an article about Sido Kanho, great martyrs of Santal Rebellion 1855-56 entitled, ‘Sido Kanhu Laite’ which was appeared in School magazine. At that time, there was no availability of materials on Santal Rebellion like today. In the every meeting of Jharkhand Party used to discuss elaborately on Santal Rebellion. He didn’t miss any meetings of Jharkhand Party. He authored the article with the help of what he had heard in the meetings.
His first book an anthology of Santali poetries was brought out in 1993. Since then to till yet, he has published as many as 31 books in Santali including poetries, autobiography, short stories, general studies and essays to his credit. His writings have been brought out in several significant Santali magazines and journals, like ― Rimil, Sili, Even Sakowa, Chithi Sakam Hende Arsi, Poha Dare, Poha, Lahanti, Disa, Sar Sagun, Pachimbangla, Rahi, Tiwa Dare, Chirgal Chir, Umul, Sim Rah, Jiwi etc. His articles on contemporary issues have been broadcasted from All India Radio, Kolkata and Doordarshan Bangla. His published books are as follows ―
1. Jala (Anthology of Poetries, Vol-1, 1993)
2. Mid Dhaw Koyog Me (G.K. 1996)
3. Atug Mere Tatijhari (Anthology of Poetries, Vol -1, 1997)
4. Jala (Anthology of Poetries, Vol-2, 1999)
5. Atug Mere Tatijhari (Anthology of Poetries, Vol – 2, 1999)
6. Dulor Maya (Anthology of Short Stories, 1999)
7. Gel Bar Atal (Anthology of Essays, 1999)
8. Duk Dulor Tala (Anthology of poetries, 1999)
9. Mid Dalich Baha (Anthology of essays, 2001)
10. Sebech Sebech Dulor (Anthology of poetries, 2007)
11. Sagun – Asagun (General Study, 2008)
12. Oh Hayre Chando (Anthology of poetries, 2008)
13. Chithi Sakam Re Taraceen (Anthology of letters, 2013)
14. Bachao Sid Onorhe (Anthology of poetries, 2014)
15. Ekobingsho Satabdi Renag Onorhe ( Edited, 2015)
16. Nahag Onol ( Anthology of essays 2016)
17. Onorhe Baha Mala (Anthology of poetries, 2017)
18. Hara Tora Dulor (Anthology of poetries, 2017)
19. Basyam Bera Re (Anthology of poetries, 2017)
20. Kahni Baha Mala (Anthology of short stories, 2018)
21. Onorhe Banam (Anthology of poetries, 2019)
22. Mid Kuriy Dulor Lidinja ( Anthology of poetries, 2019)
23. Galang Onol (Anthology of essays, 2021)
24. Joba Baha (Anthology of short stories, 2017)
25. Seday Katha (Autobiography, 2021)
26. Rah Radhan (Anthology of poetries)
27. Bage Mid Sai Serma Reyah kahini(Story collection)-2022
28. Inj Do Okoy(Autobiography)2023
29. Manotan Sasaparaoich (Collection of letters) (under the press)
30. Hunar onal (under the press)
31. Tawak Tarko Arang (story collection)
Apart from, a writer of excellence, he is also an Editor. He has been editing a monthly Santali magazine entitled ‘Jiwi’ (Soul) since 1999. Though the magazine began to publish using Bengali script but after inclusion of Santali language in the 8th Schedule of Indian Constitution, it started to publish with use of Santali script Olchiki. He has been also editing a research journal in Bengali, named ‘Tirandaj’ (Archer) since 2000, which deals with the several aspects of Santals.
He has served as a Sub Editor of a Bengali monthly Journal entitled, ‘Dyotana’ from 2000 – 2002. He has edited two books in Santali in the year of 2001; one is Sagun Dalich by Sona Hembram and another is ‘Darege Dhon’ (Strength is Power) by Gomasta Prasad Soren. His books has been included in the curriculum of Sidho Kanho Birasa University, Purulia and Bankura University.
As a writer of eminence, he has received 30 awards, accolades and honours from many government and non government organizations from all over the India, notable among them ―
1. Sagun Award by Sar Sagun Patrika, Bankura in 2006
2. Honour of Excellence by Adibasi Press Club, Kolkata in 2010
3. Bir Birsa Munda Award by Lahanti Patrika, Bankura in 2011
4. Felicitation by Babupur Agricultural High School in 2012
5. Sarada Prasad Smriti Puraskar – 2014 by Paschimbanga Santali Academy, Government of West Bengal in 2015
6. Felicitation by All India Santali Writers’ Association in 2015
7. Felicitation by Medinipur Zilla Santali Sahitya Academy in 2015
8. Felicitation by Purba Medinipur Kherwal Gaonta, Chaitanyapur in 2016
9. Felicitation by Jagdhala Jumid Gaonta, Kesiyari, Paschim Medinipur in 2016
10. Tarwari magazine Award in 2016
11. Felicitation by Adibasi Socio – Educational and Cultural Association, Hatkata Branch, Bankura in 2016
12. Felicitation by Panchet Buru Patham Gungu, Purulia 2017
13. Sadhu Ramchand Murmu Smriti Puraskar – 2017 by Backward Classes Welfare Department, Government of West Bengal in 2018
14. Majhi Ramdas Tudu Reska Award by All India Santali Writers’ Association in 2019
15. Reverend P. O. Bodding Memorial Award – 2019 by Diocese of Durgapur, Church of North India, 2020
16. Felicitation by Hul Sandesh Publication Committee in 2020
17. Siksharatna Award by Government of West Bengal in 2023
19. Sahitya Akademi Award – 2023 by Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi
Presently, he is one of the members of Santali Advisory Board of Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi. He has been serving as President of All India Santali Writers’ Association, West Bengal Branch since 2018. He is involved with many literary organizations. He resides at Deulpota under Purba Medinipur District of West Bengal with his family. Since then to till yet, that means long 41 years he has devoted himself towards the promotion and upliftment of Santali language and literature.
@ subhajit