Assam's 'Kabya Rishi' Nilmani Phookan no more

 STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Renowned Assamese poet and Jnanpith Award recipient Nilmani Phookan passed away at the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) here on Thursday. He was 89.

According to Achyut Patowary, Superintendent of the GMCH, Phookan breathed his last at 11.55 am after being admitted to the GMCH on Wednesday night from a city-based private hospital in a critical condition. The ailing poet had contracted septic shock that spread throughout his body and was being treated by doctors from the cardiology, neurology, anesthesia, and medicine departments. The GMCH Superintendent said that Phookan was undergoing non-invasive ventilation (NIV) at the time of his demise.

The mortal remains of the poet were later cremated at the Bhootnath cremation ground with state honours.

Various noted personalities and organizations expressed their grief at Phookan's demise. Phookan's admirers flocked first to the GMCH and then to his residence in Maligaon after the news of demise spread.

Assam's Governor Prof Jagdish Mukhi conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family and said, "Deeply saddened to hear the demise of the noted poet Nilamani Phookan. With his demise, we have lost a distinguished poet who made invaluable contributions in uplifting the literary landscape of the state. Honoured with the Jnanpith and Padma Shri Awards, he played a key role in promoting the rich and vibrant cultural heritage of Assam".

Chief Minister said a message that Nilmani Phookan was among the most prolific and glittering lights of Assam who enriched the literary world with his poetic creations. The contributions the poet made to enrich the literary repository of the state will remain ever memorable, Sarma said, adding that Phookan's literary creations will act as source of inspiration to the posterity. The Chief Minister expressed his heartfelt empathy to the bereaved family and prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul.

Those who extended condolences included the state's Cabinet Ministers Ajanta Neog, Atul Bora, Pijush Hazarika, Bimal Borah, Ranoj Pegu, Ranjeet Kumar Dass, Ashok Singhal, Chandra Mohan Patowary and Keshab Mahanta. Leader of the Opposition in the Assam Legislative Assembly Debabrata Saikia, state BJP president Bhabesh Kalita, APCC president Bhupen Borah, state Trinamool Congress president Ripun Borah and AIUDF president Badruddin Ajmal also expressed their grief at Phookan's demise.

All Assam Students' Union (AASU) president in-charge Utpal Sarma and general secretary Sankor Jyoti Baruah also mourned the poet's demise.

Nilmani Phookan, who earned the sobriquet of' 'Kabya Rishi', was born in Dergaon in the present-day Golaghat district on September 10, 1933. He received his Master's degree in History from the Gauhati University in 1961. He started writing poetry in the early 1950s.

Phookan's poems were replete with French symbolism. His notable works include 'Surya Henu Nami Ahe Ei Nodiyedi', 'Gulapi Jamur Lagna,' 'Nrityorota Prithibi', 'Nirjonotar xobdo, 'Oronyor Gaan', and 'Kobita'. He also translated Japanese and European poetry into Assamese.

He won the Jnanpith Award, India's highest literary award, for the year 2021. He was also awarded the 1981 Sahitya Akademi Award in Assamese for his poetry collection 'Kobita'.

He received the Padma Shri in 1990 and the Sahitya Akademi Fellowship in 2022. He also received the Assam Valley Literary Award in 1997.

Phookan had worked as a lecturer at Arya Vidyapeeth College until his retirement in 1992.

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