Jumai Khan Azad

Jumai Khan Azad (5 August 1930 - 29 December 2013) was an Indian poet of Awadhi language from Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh, India. He received the Awadhi Academy Award and Lokabandhu Rajnarayan Memorial Award.Azad was born in Gobri village in Pratapgarh in Uttar Pradesh to father Siddiqui Ahmed and mother Hameeda Bano.^{[citation needed]}

Azad published 21 books of poetry.^{[citation needed]}

He died on 29 December 2013

Mahim Bora

Mahim Bora (6 July 1924 – 5 August 2016) was an Indian writer and educationist from Assam. He was elected as a president of the Assam Sahitya Sabha held in 1989 at Doomdooma. He was awarded with most notably with the Padma Shri in 2011, the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2001 and the Assam Valley Literary Award in 1998. Assam Sahitya Sabhaconferred its highest honorary title Sahityacharyya on him in 2007.

Brief life

Mahim bora, Born on 6 July 1924 in Ghopesadharu, a tea estate in Sonitpur district .He spent his childhood in his home village Ramtamuli Chuk, Hatbar.

Education

He did his primary schooling from Primary Hatbar L.P. School, Hatbar M.E. Kuwarital Combined M.V. School. He passed Matriculation from Kaliabar Govt, Aided High School and did Intermediate from Nowgong College, Nagaon (Assam) in 1946. He did B.A. from Cotton College, Guwahati (Assam) and M.A. in Assamese literature from Guwahati University,Guwahati.

Work

After taking his M.A degree he first joined service as a teacher at Kaliabar H.E.School, Nagaon & Kamrup Academy, Guwahati.He was assistant editor of Rangghar Children Magazine (now defunct) and also worked as conductor of Gaonlia Raijole in All India Radio, Guwahati.He later joined as an Assamese lecturer in J.B.College, Jorhat (Assam), and lastly he shifted to Nowgong College, Nagaon permanently and retired as Head of the Assamese Department. He was also the founder lecturer of A.D.P college and Girl's college Nagaon.

Social Activities

i) One of the founder teacher of Kaliabar Girls H.E School, Hatbar, Nagaon 1944.

(ii) The founder associate, Kanak Lata Library (now defunct).

(iii) The founder member of ‘Arun Sewa Samity’.

iv) Founder Member, Natya Sangha.

He was also the Chief editor of literary magazine "Arunachal".

He was also a member of Advisory board for Assamese Sahitya Akademi.

Achievement

He was President of Nowgong District Sahitya Sabha, Assam Sahitya Sabha:Kavi Sanmilan (1978) and Assam Sahitya Sabha (1989–90).

Family

He married Dipti Rekha Hazarika of Jamuguri on 1 May 1957,(she was former Principal of Nagaon Gov't Girls School).He was father of 2 Son.His wife died on 20 Jan of 1999.His younger son Lt.Dr.Abhijit Bora died on 2005.He spend his retired life with his elder son,2 daughter in law, his 3 loving grand children's and sharing his knowledge with his fellow Nagaon citizen's in his Nagaon Home (Tejimola).

Death

He died on 5 August 2016 due to old age problem in a private hospital of Guwahati at the age of 93. He was cremated with full State honour in Nagaon.

Literary works

Bora's chief anthology of poems was Rangajiya(The Red Dragon-fly, 1978). In his short stories, he was an observer of folk and rural situations. He was a regular contributor of short stories to various periodicals.

Short Story collection:

Kathanibari Ghat (1961),  Deha Garaka Prem (1967), Moi Pipali Aru Puja (1967),  Bahubhuji Tribhuj (1967),  Akhan Nadir Mrityu (1972),   Rati Phula Phul (1977), Borjatri (1980),  Mor Priya Galpa (1987) and Collection of Essays-  Chinta Bichitra (1989), Sahitya Bichitra (1989),

Novels: Herua Digantar Maya (1972), Edhani Mahir Hanhi (2001), Banduli Phular Rang (2007) and Putala Ghar (1973)

Children literatures: Batris Putalar Sadhu (1976) and Tezimala Aru Cindarela (2007)

Translations: Raja Rammohan Ray

Edited Book:Sankardevar Nat (1989)

Poetry Collection: Ranga Jia (1978), Jonamanir hanhi; Radio Plays : Laru Gopalar Prem, Laru Gopalar Bibah, Laru Gopalar Ghar-Sansar, Padum Kunwari (1951), Nirmal Bhakat (1951), Pansha Sar, Garakhia Bhim (1951), Tinir Tini Gal,Tup,Mas aru Manuh,Batar Akosh Bagari Edited by T. Goswami, Memoir 'Pakhi Loga Din' edited by G.C. Das, Pabandha Bisitra Edited by G.C.Das.

Awards

• Padma Shri award in 2011 in the field of Literature and Education by the Government of India
• Sahitya Akademi Award (for Assamese) in 2001 for his novel Edhani Mahir Hahi.
• Assam Valley Literary Award (1998)
• Chhaganlal Jain award for his collection of stories Galpa Samagra in 1966 .
• Assam Publication Board literary award

for Rati PhuLa Phul in 1980.

• Ganesh Gogoi Award in 2015.
• Sahityacharyya honour in 2007.

Nabakanta Barua

Nabakanta Barua (29 December 1926 – 14 July 2002) was a prominent Assamese novelist and poet. He was also known as Ekhud Kokaideu. As Sima Dutta he wrote many poems in his early life.

Early life

Nabakanta Barua was born 29 December 1926 in Guwahati to Nilakanta Barua, a school inspector and later teacher, and Swarnalata Baruani. He had three brothers: Devakanta, Jivakanta, and Sivakanta. Dev Kant Barua, the eldest among the brothers was the President of the Indian National Congress during the Indian Emergency (1975-1977) and served as the Governor of Bihar from 1 February 1971 to 4 February 1973. Dev Kant Barua was also a well-known poet, best known for Sagor dekhisa, a collection of Assamese poems. At first the family lived in upper Assam, then moved to Puranigudam and lastly lived in Nagaon town.

Education

He started his education at a nearby school, then joined govt Mojolia school. In 1933 he was admitted to Nagaon govt boys in class 3, from there he completed his matriculation in 1941. After that he got admitted to Cotton College, but he lost two years due to illness. In 1943, he went to Shantinikaton (West Bengal). In 1947 he completed his B.A. with English honors and in 1953 M. A. from Aligarh Muslim University.

Career

He worked in Uttar Pradesh at Shikohabad at A.K college , but the same year he had joined Jorhat's Jagannath Barooah College. In 1954 he joined Cotton College and worked there until 1964. From 1964 to 1967 he worked at Assam Madhyamik Shiksha Parisod as an officer of English education . He again joined Cotton College, retiring as a vice principal in 1984.

He served as president of Asam Sahitya Sabha's Dhing Adhibashan in 1968 and presided over Asom Sahitya Sabha's Bishwanath Chariali convention in 1990.

Death and afterward

Nabakanta Barua died on 14 July 2002.

Awards

• 1974: Assam Prakashan Parisod Award, Mur aru Prithibir
• 1975: Sahitya Akademi Award to Assamese Writers, Kokadeutar Har
• 1976: Padma Bhushan, Literature & Education
• 1993: Assam Valley Literary Award
• 1998: Kamal Kumari National Award

Bishnu Prasad Rabha

Bishnu Prasad Rabha was a well known cult figure from Assam, well known for his literary and cultural contributions towards the indigenous Assamese communities. As an advocate of peoples' cultural movement, he drew heavily from different genres of classical and folk cultural traditions. In his home state, the indigenous Assamese people affectionately called him Kala Guru 'the master of the arts'.Hence the indigenous Assamese communities have demanded the Universities of Assam to confer Doctorate degree to him as recognition of completion his academic career which was incomplete due to joining the freedom movement of india. He was a brilliant student and he was compelled to give up his academic career due to tortured by british police at that time. on the other hand he is a man of unique character.

Early life

Bishnu Prasad Rabha was born in Dacca, Bengal Presidency, British India on 31 January 1909. His father Sawrdar Bahadur Gopal Chandra Musahari was an officer in the Colonial Police Department. He attended Tezpur Government High School and later went to Calcutta for higher education. He completed his ISC exam from St. Paul's Cathedral Mission College and joined the prestigious Ripon College (now Surendranath College) at the University of Calcutta for a BSc degree.

From an early stage, he played an active role in the struggle for Indian Independence. He came to be influenced by left wing ideas and came closer to the Communist Party of India. However, when Germany attacked Soviet Union during second world war and the Indian communists decided to work with the British government, a section of the party favoured a different approach – to oppose British imperialism and Fascism simultaneously. So a split happened in the communist party and in 1945 he finally joined the Revolutionary Communist Party of India (RCPI). In 1951, after the death of Jyoti Prasad Agarwala, he became the president of the Assam branch of Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA).

His work Bano Kobang portrays the life worlds of various indigenous Assamese communities of Assam. His other works include Missing Coneng, Sonpahi, Axomiya Kristir Hamuh Abhakh, and Atit Axom. His interest for the upliftment and liberation of the weaker sections of society is visible in his works. Rabha was an eminent freedom fighter. His meaning of freedom however is not simply freedom from British rule. But it meant freedom from capitalism, freedom from wage-slavery, freedom from poverty and all social evils. In his own words, "I am fighting for a revolution from the realm of necessity to the realm of freedom". He dedicated his entire life for this freedom movement. He donated an ancestral estate of 2500 bigha land received from the British government in favour of the peasants. His slogan was "Haal Jaar Maati Taar" means "those who cultivate should own the land". The present day Tezpur University stands upon the land donated by him. His entire life was characterised by a restlessness to work for the people and he kept on moving around like a nomad. He was also an excellent mass mobiliser. His speeches and lectures could touch the heart of the masses. However, his political struggle was never ended with individual power and seeking motive. It was only give power at the hands of the masses. He even said that the independence achieved in 1947 was simply a farce. It is because in spite of the freedom the poor and weaker sections of the society that remained the same and Assam did not get independence from colonial India as sovereign Assam was not established. According to him, the real struggle begins after 1947.

Apart from being a revolutionary he was also a brilliant Academician and Researcher. This was despite the fact that due to participation in freedom struggle he was forced by the colonial British regime to leave Ripon College at Calcutta and he transferred to Victoria College (now Acharya Brojendra Nath Seal College) at Cooch Bihar. He was not able to continue with his formal studies even there, due to frequent raid of British forces in his hostel and was compelled to give up his formal educational career for ever.

Cultural influence

The level of influence exerted by the Kala Guru can be observed through the fact that most cultural music competitions of Assam feature a segment called Bishnu Rava Sangeet related to his compositions, lyrics and verse. Bishnu Prasad was an established singer. He had learnt Borgeet of Shrimanta Shankar Deva and gave the genre a new significance for the modern times. There are more than hundred songs composed by him. His songs are collectively called as Bishnu Rava Sangeet. This was a new genre of Assamese. In his songs one can see diverse themes like tributes to the Mother Nature, the exploitation of the peasant masses by the colonial rulers, the revolts of the workers at tea industries etc. His songs also reflects his revolutionary ideal and the country's struggle for real freedom. Some of his songs are popular among children even today and will be, for all times to come. Some leading numbers include 'Xurore Deulore, 'Bilote Halise', etc.

He advocated the need to be aware of other people's cultures, views and religion etc. and advocated for a world community – a true humanist ideal.

His evergreen compositions includes song like Para jonomor khubho logonor, logon ukali gol, roi roi keteki,tilai tilai, kurua botah and many more to mention. He was a great actor. He used to perform dramas at Baan theatre of Tezpur which is regarded to be one of the oldest cultural activity centres of Assam. He also translated the famous song of revolution "Internationale" by Eugène Pottier into Assamese. His paintings are still preserved in his residence at Tezpur.

Theatre

There have been many live performances at the Baan theatre in Tezpur which is famously connected to Bishnu Rava. This theatre (Ban Stage) where many of Bishnu Rabha's plays have been staged is designed by renowned architect Upendra Kr. Baruah

Films

He was also recognised as a film director, music composer (Siraj) and actor (Era Bator Sur). He was an actor par excellence. His acting expertise was witnessed by Ban Theatre of Tezpur. But, he never used this talent for commercial purpose. In spite of having very good rapport with the art world of Kolkata and Bombay, he never left Assam to achieve commercial success in the field of acting. Rather he used his talent to educate the masses. This talent also helped him to move around in disguise during his days of struggle. He also assisted in making of the first Assamese film Joymoti, by Jyoti Prasad Aggarwala. He was also a recognised film director.

Recognition and awards

There is an award given in his honour for achievements in the cultural/music world of Assam by the state government.

Kalaguru Bishnu Rabha Award 2016

The relevance of the ideals of ‘Kalaguru’ Bishnu Prasad Rabha, the musical and 

artistic genius who transcended man-made barriers to unite diverse communities was

 remembered on the occasion of his death anniversary by Assam. The Bishnu Rabha 

awards for 2016 were also presented on Monday to well known artist Girish Chandra

 Bora and prominent Kathak exponent Bipul Das at a function organised at 

Rabindra Bhawan in Guwahati by the Directorate of Cultural Affairs.

The award carrying Rs 1 lakh each, a citation and other gifts was presented to the distinguished personalities by Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.Acknowledging the role of the cultural brigade in nation building, Sonowal announced that in the coming days the government would come up with a special policy for the welfare of the artistes. He also assured that Rabindra Bhawan would be developed and within a few months the auditorium will provide a new experience to performers and viewers alike. Stressing the need to promote the ideals of the Kalaguru among the young generation, Sonowal said that by imbibing the humanistic values that Bishnu Prasad Rabha stood for, Assam can be propelled on the road towards real development. Sonowal also laid importance on holistic development of the youth so that they can bring the desired changes with their work culture and commitment.In his acceptance speech, Girish Chandra Bora said that the honour conferred on him will motivate him to continue with his work with greater zeal. He said that an artist never works with the intention of bagging an award or a favour but creates for the satisfaction of his heart. He also added that the literary and cultural contributions of the revolutionary Bishnu Prasad Rabha have always been an inspiration for him. On the other hand, speaking on the occasion, sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan recalled the multifaceted personality of the Kalaguru, particularly his patriotism and cultural leanings, and said that music is an important aspect of life and it does not belong to any religion. 

Memorial Park

The Bishnu Rabha Smriti Udyan has been set up as a memorial park in his honour.
 It is located on the banks of the Brahmaputra near Tezpur in a plot adjacent to the
 Bhairabi Temple.

The park is a result of the hard work of his middle son Hemraj Rabha who took the initiative to pay tribute to his father and started the construction. The project was later on taken by the government of Assam. It contains the cremation spot of the maestro. Apart from it, many of his unforgettable works are sculpted into the walls. The cremation spot lies on the bank of the Brahmaputra as a result of which it was suffering from soil erosion. But now it has been provided with embankments to prevent it and preserve it. Nowadays it has become a major site of attraction for his devotees. People often visit this place to offer homage

Jyoti Prasad Agarwala

Jyoti Prasad Agarwala (17 June 1903 – 17 January 1951) was a noted Assamese playwright, songwriter, poet, writer and film maker from Assam. He was considered as Assamese cultural icon, deeply revered for his creative vision and output and is popularly called the Rupkonwar of Assamese culture. In fact, he is regarded as the founder of Assamese cinema for Joymati (1935).His death anniversary (17 January) is celebrated as Silpi divas (Artists' Day) in his honor.

Biography

Jyoti Prasad Agarwala was born on 17 June 1903 in an Agrawal family, to Paramananda Agarwala and Kiranmoyee Agarwala in Tamulbari Tea Estate. His uncles were renowned Assamese poets Chandra Kumar Agarwala and Ananda Chandra Agarwala. His forefather, Nabrangram Agarwala, had come to Assam in 1811 from the Marwar region in Rajasthan. After completing his studies in various schools in Assam and Calcutta (Kolkata), he matriculated in 1921. He went to Edinburgh in 1926 to study economics, but returned in 1930 before completing his course. On his way back, he spent seven months at the UFA studio in Germanylearning film-making.

After his return to Assam, he continued his activities for Indian independence that had disrupted his studies earlier and in 1932 he was imprisoned for fifteen months. He established the Chitraban Studio at the Bholaguri Tea Estate and began filming the movie Joymoti around the end of 1933. This was the first film from Assam. The film, released in 1935, was based on a play by Laxminath Bezbarua about the heroic Ahomprincess Sati Joymoti imprisoned and tortured by a repressive Ahom swargadeo. In 1936 he married Devajani Bhuyan. In 1941 he participated in the freedom movement, and in 1942, he went underground to escape British repression. Toward the end of his life he moved from a romantic to a more radical vision, which was reflected in his works.

He died of cancer on 17 January 1951 at 'Poki', Tezpur

Songs

Jyoti Prasad Agarwala had written around 300+ songs, many of which he had set to music himself. Collectively, these songs are called Jyoti xongit.

Plays

• '''Sonit Kunwor'''i
• Karengar Ligiri
• Rupalim
• Nimati Konya or Rupkonwar
• Sonpakhilee
• Khanikar
• Kanaklata
• Sundarknowar
• Lobhita

Film

Agarwala is lauded as the creator of Assamese cinema. In a period that saw the beginning of Indian Cinema, with.

• Joymoti (1935)
• Indramalati (1939)

Poems

• Jyoti Raamaayon – Poetry Collection
• Luitor Paaror Agnixur – Poetry Collection, 1971

Kan

Others

• Background of Assamese Architecture

Stamp

In honor of Agarwala's contributions to Assamese literature and film, the Government of Assam issued a commemorative stamp of Agarwala in 2004. It was pushed for by the AGP and approved by the Prime Minister of India in mid-2004.

Hiren Bhattacharyya

Hiren Bhattacharyya (Assamese: হীৰেন ভট্টাচাৰ্য) (28 July 1932 – 4 July 2012) was one of the best known poet and lyricist worked in the Assamese language. He had innumerable works published in Assamese and achieved many prizes and accolades for his poetry. He is known as Hiruda (Assamese: হীৰুদা) among his fans. Prem aru Rodalir Kobi (Poet of Love and Sunshine) (Assamese: প্ৰেম আৰু ৰ'দালিৰ কবি) is his other name in the Assamese literature.

Biography

Bhattacharyya was born in Jorhat district at Assam in the year 1932. His father was Tirthanath Bhattacharyya and his mother was Snehalata Bhattacharyya. His father was a jailer, and as such as a child he was roamed all over Assam with his family and that was his first inspiration to become a poet. After battling for life almost three months, he died at 11:30 AM on 4 July 2012 in Guwahati, Assam

Literary works

Bhattacharyya mainly worked in the field of Assamese poetry. He was the editor of several Assamese magazines and newspapers. Some of the newspapers he worked on are Chitrabon, Monon and Antorik. He was the poetry editor of the Assamese magazine Prantik for over three decades.

Books

His published anthologies of poetry include:

• Roudro Kamona (1968)
• Kobitar Rod (1976)
• Tomar Bahi
• Xugondhi Pokhilaa (1981)
• Mor Desh aru Mor Premor Kobita (1972)
• Bibhinno Dinor Kobita
• Shoichor Pothar Manuh (1991)
• Mur Prio Bornomala (1995)
• Bhalpuwar Buka Mati' (1995)
• Bhalpuwar Dikcou Batere (2000)

Collections of nursery rhymes

• Lora Dhemali (1991)
• Akon Dhemali (1991)

Others-

• Ancient Gongs, (English Translation)
• Jonaki Mon O Onyano etc. (Bengali Translation)

Few sample stanzas from the famous poems are :

Chuliot Rupali Rong Lagise

Beya Nedekhi Lagok
Sonali Khini Mosi Nidiba Buku Juri Thakok...

Mrityutow ata shilpo,
jibonor kothin shilot kota nirlohb bhaskarjya

Awards

1. Baharatiya Bhasha Parishad Award in 1993.
2. Bishnu Rava Bota, 1958
3. Rajaji Puroskar, 1984-85 awarded by Bharatiya Bidya Bhawan
4. Soviet Desh Neheru Bota, 1987
5. Sahitya Akademi Award in 1992 for his anthology of poems 'Saichor Pathar Manuh'.
6. Assam Valley Literary Award, (Asom Upotyoka Sahitya Bota) 2000 awarded by Megor Sikhya Nyash^[

Ambikagiri Raichoudhury

Ambikagiri Raichoudhury (1885–1967) was an Assamese poet and nationalist.

Early life

Ambikagiri Raichoudhury was born on 18 December 1885 in Raipara area of Barpeta, Western Assam. His father's name was Krishnaram Raichoudhury and his mother's name was Devaki Devi.

Political

Ambikagiri Raichoudhury was a poet, playwright and patriot all rolled in one. He took part in the Independence Movement for India and was imprisoned by the British for the same. He was the founder of "Axom Xongrikhini Xobhaa" (Assam Preservation Council) and "Axom Jaatiyo Mohaaxobhaa" (Assam National Congress).

Literary

Ambikagiri Raichoudhury's works include "Tumi", "Kaabyo", "Aahuti", "Joydroth Bodh", "Binaa", "Onubhuti", "Bondoo Ki Sondere", and "Bedonaar Ulkaa". He was also the editor of "Setonaa" and "Dekaa Oxom", two Assamese magazines. Ambikagiri Raichoudhury is known as "Assam Kesari" (The lion of Assam) because of his firebrand nationalist character. He was the President of Assam Sahitya Sabha in 1950. In 1965 he won the Sahitya Akademi Award.

The Ambikagiri Raichoudhury Award presented by Asam Sahitya Sabha is named after him.