Nabakanta Barua – An Eminent Poet of Assam

Fondly called Ekhud Kokaideu, Nabakanta Barua was a famous poet and novelist of Assam, who was not only respected but also an influential personality. He contributed to Assamese literature with his poetry collections, novels, short stories, lyrics and essays. Barua also wrote several popular children literature in Assamese language. Because of his unique literary works, Nabakanta Barua was honoured with several awards including Sahitya Akademi, Assam Prakashan Parisod Award and Assam Valley Award.

Nabakanta Barua

Nabakanta Barua was born on 29th December 1926 in Guwahati to Nilakanta Barua and Swarnalata Baruani. His father was a school inspector and later teacher. He had three brothers Debakanta, Jibakanta, and Sibakanta and his whole family lived in upper Assam, Puranigudam and Nagaon town. He completed his matriculation in the year 1941 from Nagaon Govt Boys School and joined Cotton College in Guwahati for further studies. However, owing to illness, he moved to Shantiniketan in West Bengal in 1943. Finally in the year 1947, he passed his graduation in English Literature from Aligarh Muslim University and in the year 1953, he completed his Masters in English Literature.

Nabakanta Barua joined A. K. College in Shikohabad, Uttar Pradesh as a faculty and later moved to Jorhat in Assam and joined Jagannath Barooah College. In the year 1954, he joined Cotton College of Guwahati and worked there till 1964. During 1964 to 1967, he served as an Officer of English Education in Assam Madhyamik Shiksha Parisad (SEBA). Later Nabakanta Barua joined Cotton College and retired from the same as Vice Principal in 1984. He also served as the President of Asam Sahitya Sabha's Dhing Adhibashan in the year 1968 and headed the Asom Sahitya Sabha's Bishwanath Chariali convention in 1990. Hey Aranya Hey Mahanagar, Mur aru Prithibir, Eti Duti Egharoti Tora, Samrat, Rati Jilmil Tora Jilmi, Ratnakar aru Onanyo Kobita and Dolongot Tamighora are the poetry collections of this great writer. His famous novels include Kokadeutar Haar, Manuh Ataibor Dwip, O-Podartho and Kopilporiya Sadhu and among his collection of children literature are Siyali Palegoi Ratanpur, Akhoror Jokhola, Makhonor Kukura Powali and Golap aru Beliphool.

In the year 1974, he won Assam Prakashan Parisad Award for his poetry collection "Mur aru Prithibir" and in the subsequent year, he won the Sahitya Akademi award for his novel "Kokadeutar Har". For his unparallel contribution towards Assamese literature and education, he was awarded Padma Bhushan in the year 1976. He headed the Asom Sahitya Sabha Bishwanath Chariali convention, which was held in the year 1990 and in the year 1993, he was honoured with Assam Valley Literary Award. Barua wrote 39 books of which 1 poem collections, 5 novels, essays, short stories for children (Xeali palegoi ratanpur) and lyrics. In the year 1984, he published the Assamese magazine Sirolu, later republished as Natun Sirolu. On 14th July, this great Assamese poet and novelist left for his heavenly abode.