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TEZPUR: The Axam Xahitya Xabha (AXX) expressed profound grief over the passing away of Sahityacharya, Nalbari Ratna, and eminent Assamese litterateur Dr Basanta Kumar Bhattacharya, former senior Professor of the Assamese department at Nalbari College and ex-President of Nalbari Zilla Xahitya Xabha.
In a press note, Xabha President Dr Basanta Kumar Goswami, Vice-President Padum Rajkhowa, and Principal Secretary Debojit Bora described Dr Bhattacharya’s demise as an ‘irreparable loss not only for the AXX but for the entire Assamese literary fraternity and Assam.’ The Xabha extended condolences to his bereaved family and prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul.
As a mark of respect, the central office of the Xabha at Jorhat, along with its regional offices in Guwahati, Dibrugarh, Silchar, Rangchina Bhawan (Diphu), Nagaon, Mangaldoi, Jalah, Dhubri, and Lakhimpur, kept their flags at half-mast throughout the day. District and branch units across Assam also lowered flags and organized condolence meetings in his memory.
Born in Nalbari district on February 1, 1942, Dr Bhattacharya’s early education took him from local schools to Cotton College and Gauhati University. Though he briefly pursued medical studies at Guwahati Medical College, he ultimately dedicated his life to Assamese literature, earning a master’s degree in the subject.
Dr Bhattacharya began his teaching career at Bornagar College before joining Nalbari College in December 1968, where he would head the Assamese department until his retirement in January 2002. Beyond his teaching duties, he supervised 15 PhD scholars and played a key role in establishing junior colleges in the region. Even after retirement, he continued mentoring students as visiting faculty until 2011.
A prolific writer and critic, Bhattacharya authored several acclaimed works including short-story collections titled Pratibad, Bodhan, Aborodh, Eti Nishar Batorire, Akash Ajiu Nila, Dusta Prajapati, Duswapnor Somoy, Grahan, Klanta Aoporahno, Asonglogno Swar, Manuh Ase Manuh Nai, Eta Golpor Arombhoni, Ondhokarot moi okole, Swapna Duswapnor Bhagnangso, Nixiddho Alaap, and Basanta Kumar Bhattacharyar Galpo Samagra. His poetry collections include Tumar Hridoyor Umere, Ekhon Begoboti Nadir Dore Tumi, Noi Poria Gos Ejopar Chaat, Bukur Bagichat Phulil Epah Khorikajai, Jonake Chui Jai Tumak, Nisobde Ei Seujiyat, Aranya Phali Ejak Chorai, Nijanot Okole Ketiyaba, Duhat Meli Sunyotat.
He also contributed essays, plays, and critical works that enriched Assamese literary discourse which include Bhasa Xahityor Porichoy, Asomiya Lokageet Samikshya, Samagra Axam Xahitya Xabhar Itihas, Adhunik Asomiya Natak: Prakriti Aru Ritir Bichar, and several others. For his outstanding contributions, Dr Bhattacharya was conferred the title of ‘Sahityacharya’ by AXX in 2017 and honoured as ‘Nalbari Ratna’ by the local literary fraternity of Nalbari district.
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