President Murmu confers Padma Shri on J Bathari and Prof. AK Boro from Assam

Staff Reporter

Guwahati: President of India Droupadi Murmu presented Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri awards for the year 2025 in a Civil Investiture Ceremony in New Delhi today. Among other dignitaries present on the occasion were Vice President of India Jagdish Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, etc.

It is a matter of great honour for Assam that Padma Shri was conferred to Joynacharan Bathari and Prof. Anil Kumar Boro in the field of Art.

Joynacharan Bathari, a retired government servant, is well known for traditional folk music in Dima Hasao. He had a passion to bring the folk music and traditional instruments of the Dimasa community into the limelight of the country, for which he worked with dedication.

Born at Jorai Bathari village in Assam's Dima Hasao district, Bathari from an early age devoted himself to Dimasa folk music. His hard work and sincerity made him a singer, and by virtue of this, he was invited to perform in AIR centres in Silchar, Haflong, Dibrugarh and Shillong. He has also performed stage programmes in various places, including Haflong, Maibang, Silchar, Agartala, Umrangsho, Diphu, Guwahati and even at the national capital, Delhi. Besides singing, he is acquainted with the Dimasa traditional musical instruments. He is well versed in playing the 'Khram' (drum) and 'Muri' (flute). He has been representing the district in various cultural meets held in other NE states and has been awarded by various NGOs of the Dima Hasao district.

After Bathari retired from service in 1998, he has been leading an active social life. He worked as Mouzadar of Haflong Mauza w.e.f. 2001 to 2007. He also worked as Khunang (Gaon Bura) of Sainza Razi for 22 years, and he also worked as Assistant Khunang (Gaon Bura). He is well versed in Dimasa customs and rituals. Even at this age of 84, he continues to sing and entertain.

  The other recipient, Prof. Anil Kumar Boro, is an eminent poet, folklorist, translator, academician and literary critic who has made significant contributions to the growth and development of Bodo literature, folklore and culture. Currently, he is serving as the Head of the Department of Folklore Research at Gauhati University, where he continues to inspire and mentor scholars in the field.

 Born in Kahitama near Manas National Park, Assam, Prof. Boro completed his Master's degree from the Department of English, Gauhati University, and later earned his Ph.D. from the Folklore Research Department. He began his academic career as a Lecturer in English at Dimoria College in 1988 before joining the Folklore Research Department at Gauhati University in 2000.

 Prof. Boro has authored and edited over 30 books spanning multiple literary genres, including poetry, literary criticism, novels, children's literature, travelogues, and folklore studies. His landmark books, such as Folk Literature of the Bodos: An Introduction, A History of Bodo Literature, The Flute and the Harp, and Delphini Onthai Mwdai Arw Guhun Crubun Khonthai, have been instrumental in shaping modern Bodo literary discourse. His translated works from other languages have introduced world literature to Bodo readers, bridging cultural and literary gaps.

Beyond his literary contributions, Prof. Boro has worked extensively for the promotion of mother tongue education and the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in Bodoland. He has actively contributed to literary organizations, including the Bodo Sahitya Sabha, and has been instrumental in organising the Kokrajhar Literary Festival since 2021.

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