GUWAHATI: Renowned Sanskrit scholar Prof Umakanta Deva Sharma Shastri, who is also known for making Sanskrit and spirituality popular among the masses, breathed his last at his own residence at Bakulpath, Jalukbari at 12:40 am on Sunday. He was 83.
A prominent orator - Tarka Vyakarana Tirtha, Vidya Ratna - Prof Sharma was also known for his exceptional command over different epics and as a renowned expositor of Vedas, Puranas etc. A Sanskrit scholar of national and international repute, Prof Sharma also wrote various books - 'Guru Geeta', 'Prasasti Manjari', 'Sanataniya Chintan', 'Bharatiya Chinatanam', 'Nyaya Parichaya' etc.
'Bharatar Natya Shastra' is one of the popular and prominent books edited by him. Apart from this, he also wrote over 150 popular articles on Sanskrit, Vedic literature and Nyaya philosophy in different newspapers, magazines, journals of both national and international repute over the years. For TV viewers, Prof Sharma was a very popular and prominent face who made Sanskrit and spirituality popular among the common people in society through his science-based simple explanations.
An alumnus of Jagannath Ashram Sanskrit College, Tarakeswar, West Bengal; Calcutta Government Sanskrit College; Bisva Bharati, Shanti Niketan; Sonitpur Prachya Vidyalaya, Tezpur; and Nalbari Sanskrit College, Prof Sharma also received scholarships from the Government of Assam, Government of West Bengal and Government of India among many others on numerous occasions.
Prof Sharma, who retired as a professor in Nyaya Darshana (Nyaya Philosophy) from Government Sanskrit College, Jalukbari (at present known as KK Handique Government Sanskrit College) in 2002, was also known for his command over traditional and modern Sanskrit literature.
Born on November 17, 1940 at Jowardi village, Kaithalkuchi in the Nalbari district (erstwhile undivided Kamrup district), Prof Sharma was the second son of Mahamahopadhaya Paramacharya Late Ganga Nath Shastri, also a renowned Sanskrit scholar and President of India's award-winning Sanskrit teacher way back in 1983, and Late Parbati Devi.
He leaves behind his wife, two sons, a daughter, grandchildren along with a host of relatives, followers, students, well-wishers among many others.
His last rites at Bhutnath cremation ground here was attended by a large gathering of people coming from different sections of the society. Various organizations have also extended condolences on his death.
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