Assam: Eminent Litterateur Dr. Lakshahira Das Passes Away in Guwahati

Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI: Eminent litterateur, singer, poet, lyricist, and doyen of Assamese culture Dr. Lakshahira Das passed away at the age of 94 in the early hours of Saturday at her Rajgarh residence in Guwahati. She breathed her last following a cardiac arrest. She was cremated in the Navagraha crematorium grounds with full state honours.

Dr. Lakshahira Das was born on February 13, 1931, in Sualkuchi to the late Chandra Baishya Saud and the late Dhaijyobala Baishya. Dr. Lakshahira Das passed her matriculation examination from Jorhat Government Girls' High School in 1946, completed her intermediate from JB College, Jorhat, and graduated from Cotton College in 1950. She then bagged the 2nd position in her master's from Gauhati University in 1954. She joined Cotton College in 1957 as a teacher in the education department before becoming the head of the department until 1977, when she joined Gauhati University.

Dr. Das retired from Gauhati University as Head of the Department of Education in 1993. She was awarded the doctoral degree by Gauhati University in 1973. Besides being an educationist of repute, Dr. Lakshahira Das was a multifaceted genius and is also known as a lyricist and singer, having composed over 2,000 songs in the past 60 years, besides authoring a number of books, including Prathama, Gitarghya, Lakshahirar Geet, Pranor Muktidhara, Tapashi, Prangangha, Surya aru Sagoror Sadhu, etc. She had the rare distinction to have been recognised by All India Radio in 1948 as the first and only Assamese woman lyricist, composer, and singer while she was a student. Dr. Das was conferred with the Silpi Award by the Assam Government in 2003 and the 'Amol Prabha Das' Award in 2011. She also received the Sangeet Natak Akademi in 2022.

Dr. Das was also conferred the Basanti Bordoloi Award by the Axam Xahitya Xabha, besides being honoured with the title of 'Sangeetacharya' in 1995. She leaves behind three sons: Dr. Amlandeep Das, Dr. Abhinandan Das, and eminent ghazal singer Anirban Das, besides a host of relatives, friends, and acquaintances.

State Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya condoled the demise of Dr. Das. He said, "An educationist per excellence Dr. Lakshahira Das's death is an irreparable loss.  Her invaluable contribution in enriching Assam's cultural and literary landscape has been extraordinary. Though she is irreplaceable, her books and other works that she left behind will continue to inspire the posterity. I pray to the Almighty for eternal peace of the departed soul."

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma led the state in mourning the demise of Dr. Lakshahira Das, saying, "Dr. Lakshahira Das baidew will be remembered for her invaluable contribution in enriching Assam's cultural & literary landscape. She worked tirelessly for the empowerment of women, and her works will inspire generations to come."

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Education Minister Ranoj Pegu, Cultural Minister Bimal Borah, Dr. Hemaprabha Saikia on behalf of Asom Seva Samiti and others condoled her demise. The Sangeet Natak Akademi and its associate bodies deeply mourned the sad demise of Dr. Lakshahira Das, a prolific writer, academician, vocalist, and Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee. "Heartfelt condolences to the bereaved ones and prayers to the Almighty to give them enough strength to bear this irreparable loss," they said.

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