A tribute to jourlist Tilak Hazarika

Respected and reputed jourlist of Assam, Tilak Hazarika died at the age of 95 and today is his Adhya Sraaddha. More than six decades he was in the jourlistic career since 1946 and set a trend in the jourlism of Assam. Many senior jourlists of present Assam learnt under his umbrella. Perhaps there will be none to fill up the position he occupied in the field of Assamese jourlism.

Born in Sorigaon of Kaliabor in gaon district in 1921, Tilak Hazarika was initially a teacher in Kuwaritol High School. He even participated in the freedom movement also. As his first stint as a jourlist he became the sub-editor of tun Asomiya edited by Devakanta Baruah. He joined Asom Bani in 1957 and was the editor of the same paper in 1980. Later on he became the founder editor of Sadin in 1989 and remained in that post for 28 years.  At the time of Assam Movement the role of the paper was very crucial and he was supportive to the movement. His column Prasangik was very influential.

He had to his credit a good number of books. He was very influential in his prose writing, particularly his satirical writing, is very impressive. He was the recipient of Sahitya Akademi award for translation work in 1996. His prose was very simple and acceptable to all. Till his last breath his pen was prolific and his mind was clear.

Today on the day of his Adya Shraddha, I pray for the solace of his eterl soul. I hope the present generation will learn from his life and works and tread forward on his footsteps.

—Dr Nripen Chandra Das,

Kaliabar