Hemchandra Goswami

Hemchandra Goswami (Assamese: হেমচন্দ্ৰ গোস্বামী; 1872–1928) was a writer, poet, historian, teacher and a linguist from Assam in the early part of modern Assamese literature. He was the fourth president of the Asom Sahitya Sabha in 1920 held at Tezpur. He retired as Extra Assistant Commissioner in the British Assam.

Literacy works

Goswami published the first Assamese dictionary, Hemkosh by Hemchandra Barua with the help of Colonel Gordon in 1900. Some of his other works include Asamiya sahityar chaneki,sonnet in Assamese — 'Priyatamar Sithi' (A letter from the beloved), Kako am hiya nibilao etc. 'Katha Gita' (Gita in Prose) of Bhattadev was edited by him in 1918. which contains the first sonnet in Assamese — 'Priyatamar Cithi' (A letter from the beloved)

 Phular Saki (The Bunch of Flowers, 1907), which contains the first 

Chandra Kumar Agarwala

Chandra Kumar Agarwala (Assamese: চন্দ্ৰকুমাৰ আগৰৱালা; 1867–1938) was an eminent writer, poet, journalist from Assam. He is a pioneer people of Jonaki Era, the age of romanticism of Assamese literature. Agarwala was titled as Pratimar Khonikor in Assamese literature. Agarwala was the first editor and financer of the Jonaki magazine and a founder member of Oxomiya Bhaxa Unnati Xadhini Xobha, a literary organization of Assam with his intimate friends Lakshminath Bezbarua and Hemchandra Goswami. Agarwala, along with his friend Lakshminath and Hemchandra, are known as "Trimurti of Assamese literature" for their remarkable contribution to the very beginning of modern Assamese literature. Chandra Kumar Agarwala was the brother of writer and poet Ananda Chandra Agarwala and uncle of Jyoti Prasad Agarwala, a noted poet, playwright, composer, lyricist, writer and first Assamese Filmmaker.

Early life and education

Chandra Kumar Agarwala was born at Brahmajan near Gohpur in Sonitpur district on 28 October 1867. He was the second son of Haribilash Agarwala. He was from a rich business family of Assam. Chandra Kumar started his education at Tezpur. For a few years, Chandra Kumar also studied at Kolkata but before appearing in the Entrance examination. Passing the Entrance examination from Tezpur Government High School, then left for Kolkata to pursue higher studies. There he admitted into the FA classes of the Presidency College, as a student of the University of Calcutta. After passing FA, he took admission into the BA classes of the same college, but returned home, without completing his BA.

Literacy Works

A pioneer in the journalism movement of Assam, Chandra Kumar brought out an Assamese weekly called Asamiya from Dibrugarh in 1918 and later on shifted to Guwahati.

Some of his poetry books are:

• Pratima (প্ৰতিমা) (1914),
• Bin-boragi (বীণবৰাগী) (1923),
• Chandramrit (চন্দ্ৰামৃত)(1967)

Death

Chandra Kumar Agarwala died on 2 March 1938 at his house at Uzan Bazaar in Guwahati, Assam.

Lakshminath Bezbaroa

Lakshminath Bezbaroa /lokh-mi-nah-th bez-boh-ruu-ah/ (Assamese: লক্ষ্মীনাথ বেজবৰুৱা, Hindi: लक्ष्मीनाथ बेजबरुवा; 1864–1938) was a great Assamese personality and celebrated pioneer of modern Assamese literature. He was one of the literary stalwarts of the Jonaki Era, the age of romanticism in Assamese literature when through his essays, plays, fiction, poetry and satires, he gave a new impetus to the then stagnating Assamese literary caravan.

As a sensitive artist, he responded to the prevailing social environment through his beautifully timed satirical works to bring and sustain positive changes to the former. His creative literature reflected the deeper urges of the people of Assam.

Confusion regarding date of birth

There is a confusion regarding the date of birth of Lakshminath Bezbaroa and also a story behind it as told by Bezbaroa himself. In the first line of the first paragraph of the first chapter of his auto-biography Mor Jiban Xuworon (মোৰ জীৱন সোঁৱৰণ),Lakshminath Bezbaroa confirms outright his inability to remember his exact date of birth that his parents used to tell him. But later when he grew young and required to put his date of birth for essential records, he invented a date for the purpose viz."1868 AD , November".But was born in 1864. He writes that he would like to offer this piece of information to anyone interested in knowing about his date of birth, although he is unsure whether that information would in any way affect the balance-sheet of anyone's life. In the next line he explicitly writes that approximately translates into

"I am not convinced that on hearing,knowing or composing the news of my incarnation to destroy the "Annasur" (Food Devil) in that given year, perhaps two or four years earlier or later for that matter, the mankind shall be at any loss or profit or concede any damage."

In the very next paragraph, he went on describing in detail how and why the Bundle of Birth-Charts,kept religiously and secretly away from the kids by his parents, which contained the one, the his one he knew for certain during his childhood, was lost.

Lakshminath Bezbaroa has however confirmed in his auto-biography that he was born in the autumn on a full-moon night, on which "Lakhmi Puja" ( A Hindu festival of worship of Goddess Lakhmi) is celebrated in India, and to mark the coincidence, he was named by his parents as "Lakshminath" ( A name for Vishnu, the Hindu God and husband of Goddess Lakhmi). This autumn-festival celebrated in the full-moon of Ashvin usually falls in the month of October in any year. As per a NASA web-site data, there was only one full-moon day in the month of November 1868 and that was on 30th but that was not the day of celebration of Lakshmi puja in that year. Presently, the Assam Sahitya Sabha has settled on a date "14th October,1864", that was a full-moon night of Lakshmi Puja in India,for his date of birth.

Early life

Lakshminath Bezbaroa was born on a boat, as it stood moored in a sand bank of the river Brahmaputra at Ahatguri, near Nagaon on a Lakshmi Purnima night, on 14 October 1864. His father Dinanath Bezbaroa, a senior official with the British government, was in the process of moving to Barpeta due to official transfer.

Lakshminath Bezbaroa spent his childhood in different places of Assam. His father brought his family with him from Barpeta to Tezpur. From Tezpur they shifted to North Lakhimpur. In between the family stayed for a brief while at Guwahati and finally they settled in Sibsagar.

Education

Lakshminath Bezbaroa received his early education Sibsagar Govt. High School at Sibsagar. Thereafter he studied for his F.A. from the City College and subsequently graduated with B.A. from the General Assembly's Institution in Calcutta. Then he took his M.A. and B.L. degrees from the University of Calcutta.

Personal life

Lakshminath Bezbaroa married Pragyasundari Devi, a niece of the poet Rabindranath Tagore.

Honours

Lakshminath Bezbaroa is honoured by a unique title on 29 December 1931, 'Roxoraj' (ৰসৰাজ) by Asam Sahitya Sabha in 1931 at Sibsagar session. In the felicitation letter by Asam Sahitya Sabha, the word 'Sahityarathi' was used for the first time for Bezbaroa. Roxoraj meaning 'The King of Humour' in Assamese literature for his ever-popular satirical writings under the pen-name "Kripaabor Borbaruah", a pseudo-personality that he created and portrayed as the lead character in such works. He is also known in Assamese literary society as the Sahityarathi (সাহিত্যৰথী) which means "Charioteer of Literature" for his expertise in all branches of literature. .

He presided over the All-Assam Students' Conference at Guwahati in 1921.

He presided over the 7th annual session of Assam Sahitya Sabha held at Guwahati in 1924.

He died in Dibrugarh on 26 March at the age of seventy only a few months after he went back to live in Assam permanently. The Asom Sahitya Sabha annually observes this day Sahitya Divas.

Pragya Sundari Devi was the second daughter of Maharshi Debendranath Tagore's third son Hemendranath Tagore (1845– 1885). Pragya Sundari was the first to write a cookbook in bangla named 'Aamish O Niramish Aahar' in three volumes which became immensely popular. She also used to edit a magazine named 'Punya'. Pragya Sundari and Laxminath's granddaughter,Rita Devi is famous Odissi dancer.

Literary career

Lakshminath Bezbaroa started his literary career with a farce, "Litikai" serialized from the first issue of Jonaki magazine. He wrote 8 plays, 4 farces, 3 historical works, 1 act drama, 3 biographies and 2 autobiographies. He also wrote for the children. He collected and compiled folk tales of Assam (Xadhukotha) and added on his own to the basket, quite a few new tales to the benefit of nurturing parents and baby-sitters. Lakshminath Bezbaroa was the pioneer short story writer in Assam. His short stories covered the different features from the Assamese society but with humorous sentiment. Rasaraj Bezbaroa was earmarked as a patriotic playwright while he composed three historical plays, namely- Chakradhaj Singha, Joymoti Konwori and Belimaar.

O Mur Apunar Dex, a patriotic song composed by him, is the state anthem of Assam.

Literary works

Poetry Collection:

• Kodom Koli (কদম কলি) (1913)
• Podum Koli (পদুম কলি) (1968)

Novel:

• Podum Kunwori (পদুম কুৱঁৰী)

Short Story Collection:

• Surobhi (সুৰভি)(Short Stories, 1909)
• Xadhukothaar Kuki (সাধুকথাৰ কুঁকি)(Short Stories, 1912)
• Junbiri (জোনবিৰি)(Short Stories, 1913)
• Kehukoli (কেহোঁকলি)

Children's literature:

• Junuka (জুনুকা) (Folk tales, 1910)
• Burhi aair xadhu (বুঢ়ী আইৰ সাধু)(Folk tales, 1911)
• Kokadeuta aaru nati lora (ককাদেউতা আৰু নাতি-ল'ৰা)(Folk tales, 1912)
• Baakhor (বাখৰ)

Collection of satire essays:

• Kripabor Barbaruar Kaakotor Tupula (কৃপাবৰ বৰবৰুৱাৰ কাকতৰ টোপোলা) (1904)
• Kripabor Barbaruar Ubhutoni (কৃপাবৰ বৰবৰুৱাৰ ওভোতনি)(1909)
• Barbaruar Bhabor Burburoni (বৰবৰুৱাৰ ভাবৰ বুৰবুৰণি)
• Barbaruar Buloni (বৰবৰুৱাৰ বুলনি)

Comic Plays:

• Litikai (লিটিকাই)
• Nomal (নোমল)
• Paachani (পাচনি)
• Chikarpati Nikarpati (চিকৰপতি নিকৰপতি)

Plays:

• Joymoti Kunwari (জয়মতী কুঁৱৰী)(1915)
• Chakradhwaj Singha (চক্ৰধ্বজ সিংহ)(1915)
• Belimaar (বেলিমাৰ)(1915)
• Litikai (লিটিকাই) (1890)
• Chikarpati-Nikarpati (চিকৰপতি-নিকৰপতি) (1913)
• Nomal (নোমল) (1913)
• Pachoni (পাচনি) (1913)

Biographies:

• Dinanath Bejbaruar Xankhipto Jibon Charit (দীননাথ বেজবৰুৱাৰ সংক্ষিপ্ত জীৱন চৰিত)
• Sri Sri Shankardev (শ্ৰীশ্ৰী শংকৰদেৱ)
• Mahapurush Sri Sankardev Aru Madhabdev (মহাপুৰুষ শ্ৰীশংকৰদেৱ আৰু শ্রীমাধৱদেৱ)

Autobiographical:

• Mor Jiban Sowaran (মোৰ জীৱন সোঁৱৰণ)^[11]
• Patralekha, Dinalekha (পত্ৰলেখা, দিনলেখা)

English Books:

• History of Vaishnavism in India
• Rasalila of Sri Krishna (The Baroda Lectures, 1934)
• The Religion of Love and Devotion (1968), including the Boroda lectures and two other essays.

Others:

• Kaamat Kritatwa Labhibar Xanket (কামত কৃতিত্ব লভিবৰ সংকেত)
• Bhagawat Katha (ভাগৱত কথা)
• Bharatbarshar Buranji (ভাৰতবৰ্ষৰ বুৰঞ্জী)
• Tatwa Katha (তত্ত্ব কথা)
• Sri Krishnakatha (শ্ৰীকৃষ্ণকথা)
• Axomiya Bhaxa Aru Xahitya (অসমীয়া ভাষা আৰু সাহিত্য)

Editor:

• Bahi (বাঁহী)

Hem Barua

Biography of
Hem Barua

Hem Barua (22 April 1915 – 9 April 1977) was a prominent Assamese poet and politician from Assam.

Early life

Born on 22 April 1915, at Tezpur, Hem Barua obtained his M.A. degree from

 Calcutta University in 1938 and joined the J.B. College, Jorhat, in 1941 as lecturer

 in Assamese and English. He left it next year during the Quit India Movement and was

 imprisoned in 1943. On his release, he joined the B. Barua College, Guwahati, and late

r became its Principal.

Literary career

Hem Barua was the author of several books. He became the President of the Asam Sahitya Sabha in its annual session held at Dhubri in 1972 and was regarded as one of the pioneers of modern literary movement in Assam.

            

Political career

Hem Barua left the Congress in 1948 and became a member of the Socialist party. Later he was elected to the National Executive of the Praja Socialist Party. He was elected to the Lok Sabha from Gauhati in 1957 and 1962 and from Mangaldoi in 1967. He was the member of the Lok Sabha till December 1970.

Works

• Adhunik Sahitya (1948)
• Sagar Dekhicha? (1954)
• Balichanda (1959)
• San Mihali (1958)
• Cupid Aru Psyche (1959)
• Ranga Karabir Phul (1959)
• Kannaki (1960)
• Ei Git (1961)
• Idle Hours (1962)
• Assamese Literature (1962)
• Sahitya Aru Sahitya (1962)
• Achuphul (1964)
• Man Mayuri (1965)
• Bahagate Pati Jaon Biya (1969)
• Smritir Papari (1970)

Some more books written by Hem Barua are,

• Talxora(Assamese)
• Dak Pokhili(Assamese)
• Mekong Noi Dekhilu(Assamese)

And the most important of them all, a book on all the ethnic communities and the tribes of North-East India is,_

• The Red River & the Blue Hill in English(1954)

Ganesh Gogoi

Ganesh Gogoi (Assamese: গনেশ গগৈ) (1907- 1938) was a poet of Assam and then he is remembered also as a lyricist, composer, playwright, actor and football player. He is also known as Papori Kobi.

Life

Ganesh Gogoi was born at Jorhat of Assam on 28 December 1907. His father's name was Kanak Chandra Gogoi.

Ganesh Gogoi's childhood, student life in his native place Jorhat. Passed the Matric examination from Jorhat Government High School in the second division, After matriculation he admitted to Cotton College, Guwahati, Assam in the year 1926. He left for Kolkata in 1927 and was admitted to the Ripon College (now Surendranath College for higher studies. Later on he also admitted to the Kashi Hindu university (Now Banaras Hindu University), but did not complete his study. Ganesh Gogoi never married because he died at a young age of 30 on 21 August 1938.

Literary works

Some of his famous dramas had pictured in 'Jorhat theatre' where Ganesh Gogoi used to stage these dramas.

Drama

• Jerengar Sati (1937),
• Sakunir Pratisodh,
• Kashmir Kurmari
• Lachit
• Kuri Satika, etc.

Poetry

• Papori (1934) A romantic Assamese poetry book.
• Swapna bhanga (1934)
• Rupajyoti (1945).
• Naoria
• Boragi

There are lots of songs were published some magazines like Banhi, Awahan, Ghar-Jeuti, Dainik Batori, Na-Jon etc. on that time. His only book on lyrics is titled Geetimala.

Honours

• The Government of Assam to institute an award in the name of Ganesh Gogoi from the year 2009. This film was officially selected for South Asian Film Festival 2007 at Dhaka.
• A documentary entitled Ganesh Gogoir Jiban Surabhi has been produced on his life and works.
• A park named as Ganesh Gogoi Kabita Kanan after him in Jorhat, Assam

Bhabananda Deka

Prof Bhabananda Deka (19 August 1929 – 4 December 2006) has been acknowledged as the pioneer Assam economist and author, who conducted path-breaking research for the very first time on the economy of the far eastern part of India.He was also a leading Indian-Assamese litterateur of the famed 'Awahon-Ramdhenu Era' of Assamese literature during the mid-20th century. He was the author of a total of 115 English and Assamese books including textbooks on a range of fifteen subjects including economics, ancient Assamese literature, philosophy, education, religion, mythology, archaeology, tribal study, poetry, drama, memoirs, civics, political science, biographies; he also edited books and journals. He also authored a variety of research papers and articles about the state of Assam, a state in the north-eastern part of India. He pioneered the writing of books on Economics in Assamese. His Assamese book Axomor Arthaneeti was the first ever research-based comprehensive book on Assam Economics, which was published for the first time in 1963. Until this book on Assam Economics was published, there was hardly any comprehensive research-based material available on this crucial topic. Because of his monumental social and intellectual contributions to Assam, he had been conferred with the honorary title of 'Asom Ratna' -- 'Jewel of Assam' by the intellectuals of Assam on 19 August 2007 at a public meet held under the presidency of Prof. (Dr) Satyendra Narayan Goswami.

Early life and education

Prof Bhabananda Deka was born to Late Baliram Pathak and Late Sayatri Bala Pathak at Byaskuchi Satra, Barpeta sub division of undivided Kamrup district, Assam. He completed his graduation in Economics from Cotton College, Guwahati, in 1954 and gained a postgraduate qualification in Economics from Gauhati University in 1957. Before his graduation, he gained teaching experience by working as part-time teacher at Sarthebari High School. After graduation, he went back to hometown again and worked for a year as a Teacher at Chenga High School. During that period, he also served historic Byaskuchi Satra (Monastery)'s governing body 'Bhattadeb Milan Samiti' as a secretary and was instrumental in re-establishing the Satra at a new compound together with the first Library (Bhattadev Puthivoral) at Byaskuchi Satra. He also served the locality by opening up an income generating mechanism for covering the running expenses of the Satra by aligning with the annual Fishery allotment of the nearby Kapla Bil, the big lake and conservatory of various fish species. He returned to Guwahati City to resume post-graduation studies in 1955, and had to earn his livelihood while learning in the University by working as Economist at Assam State Congress office under the patronage of state Congress President and ex-Chief Minister Mahendra Mohan Choudhury. After post-graduation examinations, for a brief period he again worked as teacher at two schools Kamrup Academy and North Guwahati Girls' School till the results were declared. With the newly acquired MA(Economics) degree, he received the first invite from iconic litterateur and founder of Arya Vidyapeeth College Prof. Giridhar Sarma to join in his newly founded College as the Professor and Head of Economics Department. From 1957, he briefly worked in Arya Vidyapeeth College before joining another similar institution Pragjyotish College.

Career

On 1 September 1958 Prof. Bhabananda Deka joined Pragjyotish College in the Economics Department as the Professor and Head. He retired as Principal of Pragjyotish College in 1992. He was the Founder Principal of Bapujee College in Sarthebari in 1970. While he was working at Pragjyotish College, he took leave for a year and worked as a Senior Research Officer in the Language Unit of Union Public Service Commission, Delhi. In between, he also worked for a couple of months as a Professor at Assam Engineering Institute. He also worked as Principal of 4 (four) other Graduate and Postgraduate Colleges in Assam. These Colleges were: Tamulichiga GKB College, Jorhat; Hajo BEd College, Dadara; Sarukehtri College, Borkapla and Guwahati Night College, Guwahati, Assam.

Intellectual & social works

He was one of the first Assamese to form Asomiya Sahitya Samaj in India's capital city of New Delhi along with India Government's Minister Bijoy Chandra Bhagawati, former Assam Chief Minister and Member of Indian Parliament Jogendra Nath Hazarika, Parikshit Hazarika, Upendra Nath Goswami and others in 1968. They were subservient in the introduction of Assamese Language in Modern Indian Languages (MIL) Department of Delhi University.

Prof Deka also established Assamese Department and Bengali Department in the Indian Constitutional body Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in New Delhi, and introduced Assamese Language as a subject and medium for appearing in all-India level Competitive Examinations conducted by UPSC to select top bureaucrats of India Government.

He also organised the Birth Centenary of the doyen of Assamese literature Lakshminath Bezbaroa in New Delhi at all India level with the cooperation of two erstwhile Presidents and two Prime Ministers of India including Dr Zakir Hussain, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, Indira Gandhi and Morarji Desai in 1968. His famous English book on 'Assamese Language & Literature' published during that Centenary celebration was formally released on 24 November 1968 by then President of India Dr Zakir Hussain in New Delhi. The only surviving copy of this book was recovered by popular story-writer, novelist and river engineer Arnab Jan Deka after death of Prof Deka, and a re-edited, enlarged 2nd Edition of the book was published by him on 4 December 2014, which was officially re-launched by London-based Chief Editor of research journal Luit to Thames. A 3rd International Edition of this historic book has been published in 2015 for readers and literary historians worldwide.

Deka was a leading member of Asom Sahitya Sabha. In public recognition of his immense literary contributions, he was unanimously elected as the last President of the undivided Kamrup District Sahitya Sabha in 1982. He was the founder of Assam Economic Association, Assam Foundation-India and Srimanta Sankardev International Foundation, and a frontline advocate of the rich literary and cultural heritage of Assam all over the world. He was highly influenced by Sankari Culture and folk culture heritage & was known for his active participation in newly setting up Belbari Satra and Byaskuchi Satra (Vaisnavite Monastery) in Barpeta District of Assam in India.

Death

He died on 4 December 2006 at his residence in Pub Sarania, Guwahati. Assam Legislative Assembly officially mourned his death in a special Winter Session in presence of 126 Members(MLAs) and Chief Minister with his all Cabinet Colleagues, wherein the Speaker of the Assembly presiding over the Session formally read out a Resolution in official acknowledgement of his role in propagating Assamese language and literature outside the state of Assam at all-India and international level. The Chief Minister of Assam Tarun Gogoi also officially condoled the death of Principal Bhabananda Deka through a Press Statement, which was published in majority of dailies published from North East India on 5 Dec 2006. Other social organisations and individuals of prominence including Assam Sahitya Sabha (Assam Literary Conference) under Presidency of Kanaksen Deka(Editor, Daily Agradoot), Media Trust, Assam and the International Prince Klaus Literary Award(Netherlands) winner novelist Dr Mamoni Raisom Goswami @ Dr Indira Goswami, India's top literary award Saraswati Samman winner novelist Dr Lakshmi Nandan Bora, Cambridge University scholar and literary critic Dr Hiren Gohain, Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore Professor Dr Satyendra Narayan Goswami of Gauhati University, Chief Architect of Florida, USA, Amiya Kumar Das, singer-musician Dr Bhupen Hazarika's co-singer-sister Sudakshina Sarma and others personally visited Principal Deka's residence to condole his death by sharing grief with the bereaved family and pay their obeisance in memory of the departed soul.

Book author

He authored a total 115 numbers of books, apart from many articles, essays and research papers. He was prolific writer equally at ease in writing authoritative books on such diverse subjects like classical Assamese ancient literature, philosophy, vaisnavite study, economics, Assam economy, political science, civics, education, heritage study, mythology, tribal study, poetry, travelogue and biography. Many of his books are bestsellers, and almost all the leading universities in Northeast India officially adopted most of his books as textbooks and reference books. Several of his iconic books including Asomor Arthaniti ('Economy of Assam') has seen more than fifty editions making them all-time bestsellers in Assam and India. His books on Vaisnavite scholar, poet, playwright, songwriter, musician, dance composer, actor, director, philosopher and social reformer Mahapurusha Srimanta Sankardeva, his disciples like Madhabdev, Damodardev, Haridev and other leading proponents of Vaisnavism and Sankari Philosophy and Culture are highly popular and critically acclaimed. He translated the Kirtan Ghosa.(Poetic works of Srimanta Sankardeva) from Assamese to English. His English biography Sreemanta Sankaradeva was very popular among common general readers worldwide, as it manages to focus the entire life of the Vaisnavite scholar, poet, playwright, philosopher in a lucid manner comprehensive to grassroot level readers.

Editor of journals and magazines

Deka was first offered the editorship of a literary journal Ami in the year 1948 when he was an eighth standard school student at Barpeta Government High School. His first foray into editing was a tremendous success, leading to more such editing offers during later years in his life. Because of his love and dedication to the cause of Assamese literature, he accepted several such editing offers while he was at the peak of his professional career as a leading college professor and India government's top bureaucrat. He jointly edited an iconic literary journal Udaygiri in 1964 while he was a college teacher. Almost all the top Assamese poets, essayists and story-writers of the time were regular contributors in this famous journal. He also discovered several new literary talents and established them in the literary world by highlighting their works in his edited journal. His co-editor of this iconic journal was famous Assamese literary critic Prof. Rammal Thakuria. He was also the editor of several other literary and philosophical journals and magazines including Rastrajyoti and Gobinda. Rashtrajyoti was the first bilingual literary journal combining two of major Indian languages Hindi and Assam, and it received nationwide success for its innovative journalism.

Critical appreciation

Principal Bhabananda Deka's scholarly works have been critically acclaimed from early 1960s, largely in Assamese language media. Even posthumously, his literary contributions are continuously being critically evaluated. In the most recent critical evaluation, Northeast India's oldest and most prestigious top English daily The Assam Tribune wrote about him and his works thus-- "Prof Bhabananda Deka, noted author, scholar and a pioneer economist of Assam has been credited with a plethora of scholarly books on Assam's heritage, literature, sociology, economy etc. He had always been active in projecting the motherland in all its glory through its rich legacy of literature and culture. One such marvellous work of his, the biography of Srimanta Sankardev, is actually a treasure for Indian art and literature. Prof Deka's book has beautifully encapsulated Sankardev's enriching works on every aspect of literature and art." The critical review further continued-- "The author not only emphasises on the works of Sankardev, but also on the works of the various other Sankarite scholars, past and present. Prof Deka beautifully exemplifies Sankardev's principles and teachings on how to live peacefully, despite the growing religious and racial intolerances prevalent then. I am sure that the re-publication of this book will bring Prof Bhabananda Deka's monumental work into focus, and pave the way for more extensive study and research on Sankardev, and his impact on the society at large."
Another leading daily The Sentinel further illustrates diverse quality of his masterly works with this description-- "Principal Bhabananda Deka was the first Assamese economist–litterateur to initiate Assam–specific study and research of local economy and other social aspects. Apart from authoring total 115 books, he wrote in famous literary journals like Awahon, Ramdhenu, Amar Protinidhi, Manideep, Natun Asomiya, Asam Bami, Dainik Asam etc., right from mid–1950s. Just before his death on December 4, 2006 he finished English prose–translation of timeless Assamese classic ‘Kirtan Ghosa’ of Srimanta Sankardev." The same writing further focuses on other areas of his social activities pivotal to further propagation of Assamese literature and culture outside Assam's geographical and political boundaries-- "During his Delhi stint as senior bureaucrat, he played a pivotal role in setting up Assamese departments in the UPSC and Delhi University during 1968–69. He was instrumental in bringing Hollywood personalities to Guwahati in 1995 and subsequent production of first one-hour documentary film on life and works of Srimanta Sankardev in 1996. Because of his untiring efforts, this film was screened in the USA, Canada and other countries, and preserved in the National Museum of Switzerland. In recognition of his pioneering role as economist his death anniversary is observed every year as ‘Artha Divas’ or Day of Economics."

Honors

Principal Bhabananda Deka was the recipient of the Literary Pension (2004) and Golden Jubilee of Indian Independence Literary Award(15 Aug 1997) offered by the Government of Assam.^[20]

He was publicly bestowed with the honorary title of Asom Ratna -- 'Jewel of Assam' by the leading intellectuals in Assam on the occasion of his 78th birthday celebrations publicly on 19 August 2007, in a programme held in Guwahati city under the presidency of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore Professor of Gauhati University Dr Satyendra Narayan Goswami. A prestigious volume of compilations of tributary articles by leading scholars and some interviews of the departed scholar published during his lifetime under the name and style of Asom Ratna Principal Bhabananda Deka edited by leading Assamese poet Prof. Sushil Sarma conferring the said honorary title upon Principal Bhabananda Deka was officially released in the same programme by several leading scholars jointly including Prof. Upendra Nath Sarma, Abanindra Bora, Er. Arnab Jan Deka, Prof. Biswesear Hazarika joined by the editor Prof. Sarma and president Dr Goswami. Principal Deka was the first scholar to be conferred with this prestigious title by intelligentsia in Assam. Subsequently, Assam Government was inspired by this event to declare establishment of an 'Asom Ratna Award' in 2008 and two other fellow Assamese had been awarded including Dr Bhupen Hazarika in 2008 and Dr Mamoni Raisom Goswami in 2014.

After his demise, Pragjyotish College of Guwahati, Assam, India, has been organising Bhabananda Deka Memorial Lecture in Guwahati every year since his first death anniversary on 4 Dec 2007. The most recent 6th edition of this Memorial Lecture series was held on 25 April 2015, wherein the former Principal of ADP College, Nagaon, Dr Ram Chandra Deka spoke about the rich qualities of Principal Bhabananda Deka. Prior to the Lecture programme, floral tributes were paid on the portrait of the departed scholar as a homage to his memory.

An award-winning novel on his life titled 'Bhaba Ananda Sambad'(2007) authored by famous story-writer Arnab Jan Deka was published by the Assam Government through its official literary body Assam Publication Board.

A documentary film with the title 'Golden Jubilee of Assam Economics Research & the Pioneer Assam Economist-Litterateur' highlighting his pioneering role as an Assam Economist and scholar premièred on 4 Dec 2014 in Guwahati City. This film had been directed by documentary filmmaker-actor Arnab Jan Deka. The screenplay was a collaborative effort by a number of contributors, including Claire Elizabeth Terry from Barcelona, Spain, Tess Joyce from Indonesia and Terri Stiffler from the USA. Tess Joyce also rendered her voice for the background Narration in the film, which was recorded at a Studio in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Assam Foundation-India has set up an Endowment to facilitate systematic research and hold an international-level annual Oration on the social and literary contributions of the author-couple duo Principal Bhabananda Deka and his wife Nalini Prava Deka. The first Principal Bhabananda Deka & Nalini Prava Deka Endowment Oration was delivered by internationally renowned river and coastal scientist and hydraulics expert Dr Constantin Aurel Stere from The Netherlands on 28 February 2015 at Guwahati Press Club.

Books and articles

Books in English

• Industrialisation of Assam (1961)
• Assamese Language & Literature & Sahityarathi Lakshminath Bezbaroa (literary history) (1968)
• Sreemanta Sankardeva (biography) (2003)
• Dimbeswar Neog – Life and Work (biography) (1999)
• Elements of Economics (1963)
• Elements of Political Science (1963)
• Elements of Indian Economics (1963)
• Studies in Economics Theory
• Element of Civics and Economic
• Elements of Political Science
• Economics
• Foundation Course
• Sankardev's Kirtan Ghosa (2006)
• Last Testament (2009)
• Bishnuram Medhi : A Political Study (PhD thesis) (2010)

Books in Assamese

• Bhattadev Pratisthapit Byaskuchi Satra (archaeology) (1955)
• Asomor Arthaneeti (Assam Economics) (1963)
• Prachin Asomiya Bhakti Sahitya Aru Dhammapada (literary criticism) (1992)
• Prabandha Bichitra (literary criticism) (1989)
• 5 Centuries Assam Economy (research papers) (2013) (compiled & edited by Arnab Jan Deka)
• Raghuvamsa (mythological story) (1971)
• Punyabhoomi Asom (essays on archaeology) (1973)
• Mahapurushar Kotha : Katha Guru Choritor Santa Mahanta (biography) (2004)
• Bhaorather Bamsa Aru Baliram Pathakar Jivan Kriti (biography) (1986)
• Amrit Putra Dhruva (mythological play) (1987
• Dharmatatwa (religious philosophy) (2013)
• Awahon Ramdhenur Pate Pate (literary criticism) (2013) (compiled & edited by Arnab Jan Deka)
• Manimugdha (poetry) (1992)
• Mor Kobita (poetry) (2007) (compiled & edited by Arnab Jan Deka)
• Srimanta Sankardev (2015)
• Sri Sri Damodar Dev (biography) (1989)
• Bhattadev (ভট্টদেৱ) (biography) (1989)
• Mother Teresa (biography) (1996)
• Rupkonwar Aniruddha (mythological play) (1994)
• Saptarathee (mythological play) (1994)
• Udham Singh : A Martyr of India's Freedom Movement (biography) (2015)
• Bharatar Ajokoka Dadabhai Naoroji (biography) (2015)

Research papers & essays in English

• Rural Economy of Assam – (Khadi Gramodyog Commission, Bombay) (1963)
• Bhakti Ratnakar of Sankardeva (Pragjyotishiya)
• A Peep into the Economy of Guwahati (Paura Bichitra) (1978)
• Economic Condition of the Citizens of Guwahati (Paura Bichitra) (1984)
• Char Economic – Assam Information
• Need for a Change in Quality of Education (Pragjyotishiya)
• Sankardeva (Assam Tribune) (1998)
• Sankardeva as a Social Thinker (Press Information Bureau)
• Rangali Bihu : the Spring Festival of Assam (The Northeast Daily) (13 April 2000)
• Buddha
• Bargeet (2003)
• Buddhism and its Teaching (2004)

Research papers & essays in Assamese

• Brass & Bell Metal Industry in Assam (Asam Bani) (1955)
• Powers of India's President & Constitution (Ramdhenu) (1960)
• Assamese Vaisnav Religion & Humanism (Awahon) (1968)
• Employment Problems in Assam & Solutions (Amar Desh) (1969)
• Bonhomie between Families of Sankardev & Damodardev (Awahon) (1973)
• 19th Century's Economy of Assam (Dainik Asam) (1978)
• Need for Moral Planning (Notun Asomiya) (1961)
• Assam Economy During Sankardev's Times (Monideep) (1964)
• Assamese Villages (Awahon) (1965)
• Buddhism in Assam as Depicted in History of Kamrup (Awahon) (1968)
• Ways to Celebrate Assamese Spring Festival Bihu (Awahon) (1971)
• Assam's Char Economics (Janasikhsha, Assam Govt.) (1978)

Books about Bhabananda Deka & his works

A series of books had been published on the life and works of Principal Bhabananda Deka highlighting their intellectual and social significance. Some of these books are--

• Arthanitigya-Sikshabid-Sahityik Adhyaksha Bhabananda Deka (edited by Arnab Jan Deka) (2006)
• Asomor Arthaniti Chorchar Baatkotiya Adhyaksha Bhabananda Deka (authored by Arnab Jan Deka) (2007)
• Jewel of Assam Principal Bhabananda Deka (edited by Arnab Jan Deka) (2008)
• Adhyaksha Bhabananda Deka : Hridoy Jar Axomiya (edited by Arnab Jan Deka) (2012)
• Awahon-Ramdhenur Pate Pate Adhyaksha Bhabananda Deka (edited by Arnab Jan Deka) (2013)
• Sahityik Dampati Adhyaksha Bhabananda Deka Nalini Prava Deka (edited by Arnab Jan Deka) (2014)
• An Extraordinary Assamese Couple (edited by Arnab Jan Deka) (2015)
• Awahon-Ramdhenu Jugor Xahityik Adhyaksha Bhabananda Deka (edited by Arnab Jan Deka) (2016)
• Axom Ratna Adhyaksha Bhabananda Deka (edited by Prof Sushil Sarma) (2007)
• Mor Kobita by Bhabananda Deka (edited by Arnab Jan Deka) (2008)
• Last Testament of Principal Bhabananda Deka (2009)
• Bhupen Hazarika-Bhabananda Deka-Mamoni Raisom Goswami : Tini Axom Ratna Tini Batkotiya (edited by Arnab Jan Deka) (2011)
• Dharmatatva by Bhabananda Deka (edited by Arnab Jan Deka) (2012)
• 5 Centuries Assam Economics by Bhabananda Deka (edited by Arnab Jan Deka) (2013)
• Assamese Language & Literature by Principal Bhabananda Deka & others (edited by Arnab Jan Deka) (2014)