Assam Culture:

Q. Give an account of different fairs and festivals celebrated in Assam.

Bihu
● There are 3 Bihus celebrated by the people of Assam
● Bohag Bihu / Rongali Bihu: Celebrated from the last day of the month of “Sot”. The celebration
continues for the upcoming 7 days of Bohag.
○ Seven days, seven bihus -
■ Goru Bihu - Worship cow,
■ Manuh Bihu,
■ Gossain Bihu - people offers prayers in the namghars and take part in the Nam
Prasanga,
■ Senehi Bihu - Assamese weavers wash and clean their handlooms,
■ Nangol Bihu - farmers clean their agricultural equipments and prepare it for upcoming
activities,
■ Mela Bihu - people visit each other house and have jolpan and
■ Sera Bihu - people wrap gamosa on a banyan tree to bid good bye to bohag bihu.
● Kati Bihu: kati bihu is celebrated on the Sankranti of Ahin. As this bihu is celebrated amidst crisis, the
bihu is also called kangali Bihu. worship tulsi plant
● Magh Bihu: Celebrated just after harvesting season and hence it is also called as Bhogali Bihu.

Ambubachi Fair
● Celebrated once a year in the first part of Ahar (June-July) month. Generally starts on the seventh day
of Ahar and because of that, it is also known as Sath.
● This festival is associated with the fertility cult. It is believed that during Ambubachi, mother Earth
attains her menstruation.
● Ambubachi is also known as Amati.
● During these four days, ploughing and digging of earth are prohibited and worship is not allowed and
sexual intercourse also strictly prohibited.
● Ambubachi festival of Kamakhya is very popular.

Elephant festival
● Organized at the Kaziranga National Park.
● Joint operation by the Forest Department and Tourism Department of the GoA.
● Aims at creating awareness about the environment amongst the people and to reduce man-elephant
conflicts.

Dihing Patkai Festival

● Organized by the GoA in the month of January every year at Lekhapani, Tinsukia.
● To attract tourist and bring tourist potential in the area.
Majuli Festival
● The festival displays the rich culture of different tribes of Assam

Me-Dum-Me-Phi
● It is an ancestor worship festival of the Tai Ahom of Assam
● Me-Dam-Me-Phi means offering oblation to the dead ancestors and sacrifice to god.
● Performed every year on 31st January.

Batheli
● In thefirst week of Magh (January-February), Batheli festival is celebrated in some parts of Assam,
especially in lower Assam.
● Also known as Sori / Suwari / Parwa festival

Matheni
● One of a popular festival of Darrang district.
● Celebrated in Devananda Satra on the day of kati Bihu.

Moho ho
● Moho ho or Mah Kheda means mosquito chasing.
● Celebrated in the full moon day of Aghon (November-December)
● In some places a boy rigged in dried banana leaves or banana barks dances in a shuffling manner as a
bear, while the other sing around him.

Nouka Tana Ceremony

● Prevalent from the time of Ahom Kingdom. Celebrated for the amusement of the king
● Celebrated at different places of Assam, especially in Sualkuchi, hajo and some parts of nalbari
Districts
● Baramasi songs are associated with this ceremony.

Jonbeel Mela
● Organized every year in Jagiroad of Morigaon district.
● In the festival, the hill tribes come down with their products and engage in barter system.

Karam Puja
● Most important festival of Tea Workers of Assam.
● Held in the month of Bhada (August - September)
● The festival is centered around the Karam tree

Tusu Puja
● Celebrated by the tea workers
● They consider Tusu as the goddess of crops.
Baisagu
● Bodo version of Bohag Bihu.
● The supreme deity Bathou or lord Shiva is worshipped during the festival.

Ali-aai-Lignag
● Agri-based festival celebrated by the Mising community.
● Community feast and ‘gumrang’ dance are main attractions of this festival

Q. Give an account of different dance forms of Assam.

The dances of Assam can be categorised as: -
- Tribal dances,
- Folk dances,
- Classical dances.

Jhumur Dance
- Folk dance performed by the tree community.
- Boys and girls hold each other's waist and dance to the tunes of the Jhumur dance with exact the
precision of footwork.
- A traditional dance form of Aadivasi of the tea tribes community of Assam.
- Traditional musical instruments generally a Dhol or Mandar hung on shoulders, a flute and a pair of
"Taal"

Deodhani
- Associated with the worship of the snake goddess Manasa.
- Performed by a girl who, in a trance-like state, goes on dancing to the beats of the chiphung (flute) and
the Kham (drum).
- Advanced stage of the dance event takes a sword and shield performing a virile war dance.

Bhortal Nritya
- A propagation of the Sankari culture of Assam
- Developed by the well-known Saathiya artist Narahari Burha Bhakat.
- Performed by a group of six to ten dancers.
- This beat is known as ‘Zhiya Nom’.

Bagurumba
- Performed by the Bodo community of Assam.
- Usually performed in the Bwisagu festival.
- Instruments used - Serja, (a bowed instrument) , Sifunq (flute), tharkha (split bamboo),kham or madal
(long drum,made of wood and goatskin).

Oja Pali
- A traditional shamanistic type of indigenous folk dance,
- Believed to have evolved from Kathakata tradition and is performed in a group; It is believed to be one
of the oldest art forms of Assam.
 - Originally evolved in the Kamata state, later limited to Darrang area under the patronisation of Darrang
King Dharmanarayana.The repertoire of this performance consists of songs, dialogues, gestures,
improvised acting and dramatisation etc.
- The group consists of an Oja, who leads the performance and four or five palies, who supplement the
performance with continuously playing cymbals.
- Among the Palies "Daina pali" who stand on the right-hand side of the Oja is the active one and he and
Oja take the performance forward.
- Many believe that Shankardev took inspiration from Ojapali to create his Ankiya Bhaona.

Sattriya Dance
- Classical dance of the state of Assam and was introduced by Mahapurush srimanta sankardev to
propagate the religion of vaishnavism.
- Sattriya dances differ from other dance forms in its basic stance. For male it is known as Purush Pak
while for females, Prakriti Pak.
- The dance is based on mythological themes.
- They have typical Assamese music known as Borgeet, musical instruments like large cymbals, drums,
colourful costumes, besides complicated choreographic patterns using various talas for each stanza
sung by the vocalist.
- Sattriya was given the status of a "classical dance" in the year 2000 by the Sangeet Natak Akademi.
- Current News - Historian Dr. Sunil Kothari has recently been bestowed with the Madhabdev Award by
the Government of Assam for popularising Sattriya dance.

Q. Discuss the status and role of namghar and Satras in social and cultural
life of Assam.

Satras
- Satras are institutional centres associated with the Neo Vaishnavite culture.
- These centres are generally independent of each other and under the control of individual Adhikari
known as "Satradhikar".
- They grew rapidly in the 17th century and patronage extended to them by first the Koch kingdom and
later the Ahom kingdom was crucial in the spread of the Ekasarana religion.
- The ecclesiastical order of the Satra consisted of :-
- a) Satradhikar (known as Gosain and Mahanta),
- b) Bhakats (celebate devotees),
- c) Sisyas.
Nam ghars
- Namghar is the religious prayer hall of Ek Saran cult of Vaishnavite culture in Assam.
- This place is used for initiation of bhakats.
- Namghar is also used for performing Bhaona (drama), religious meeting and gathering to take major
religious decisions in Assam.

Role of Satra and Namghar in socio cultural life of Assam

- Today the Satras and Naamghars are the fountain heads of culture and heritage.
 - They have relentlessly encouraged the arts and craft, like dance, drama, music in the village areas of
Assam.
- Satras and Namghar help in maintaining peace and harmony in the society.
- It discourages social stratification and works for equality in the society by letting everyone take part in
the functioning of the institution.
- The Satra and Namghar also acts as the source of Tourism in Assam.
(The Assam government has announced to provide Rs. 2.5 lakh each to 8 thousand 'Namghars' in the state
under the 'Asom Darshan' scheme.)

Q. Comment on the changing nature and functions of Satras in the Modern

Assamese Society.
- Satras are taking steps to elevate its position and image in the Modern Assamese Society:
- Modification of the Satra concept – Keeping the religious authority and aspects intact, a separate body
needs to be formed within the domain of the Satras to undertake some management functions.e.g.
undertaking economic projects like agriculture, sericulture, horticulture, floriculture, pisci-culture etc. to
utilise the Satra land and that of the disciples for higher productivity gain in business lines.
- Improving infrastructure to act as a tourism destination points to project Satra culture, Art etc.
- They can be Hubs of Eco- Tourism and Study Centres for Traditional Wisdom as well.
- Satra and Naamghar life is very strongly community oriented. It can be very effectively used for
activities like Library movement, Sports movement, Cluster development for hand looms and
handicrafts, food processing, herbal medicines, paramedical service etc.
- Since the Satras have command over the people, propagation of government development schemes,
social welfare schemes (AIDS awareness, Two children norm etc.) can be smooth.

Q. Write a short note on Malinithan in Arunachal Pradesh.

- Malinithan is an archaeological site which consists of ruins of a Hindu temple of the early mediaeval
period on the northern bank of the Brahmaputra River in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh.
- The archaeological studies of the ruins indicate that the temple was built with granite stones during the
period of Hinduism influence in the region.
- It was built by Chutia kings in the 13th-14th century.
- This was the period when the Chutia kings had started setting Brahmins in different areas of their
kingdom offering them land grants.
- Kechai-Khaiti, a tribal goddess found among the Bodo-kachari groups the chief deity who was
worshipped in the temple.

Q. Write an account of Namghar and Monikut of Assamese society

Monikut
- Manikut (literally "the jewel hut") is an independent room located towards the eastern end of an
Ekasarana Hindu prayer house (namghar).
- It is the place that represents the worshipful god, or a guru asana (the guru's seat).
- It is also called a bhajghar in western Assam, with its own roof. This is the only place in a namghar that
is fully walled, with or without any windows.
 - The manikut is a later addition attached to the basic namghar structure. The place does not house any
idols as idolatry was denounced by Shankardev.

Q. Short note on Gamusa and its significance in Assamese society.

- Gamosa is a white hand-woven piece of cloth of cotton or silk of around 2 feet in width and 5 feet in
length having motifs on two sides and red stripes on the long border.
- The word Gamosa means “a towel” i.e. a piece of cloth to wipe the body (Ga=body, mosa = to wipe).
- The cloth is also used to cover the Bhagavad Purana at the altar, Hence Gamosa holds a place of
great significance in Assamese society.
- Based on usage, there are different types of Gamosas.
1. Paani Gamosa
2. Tamul Gamosa
3. Bihuwan.
- A special type of Gamosa, used in lower Assam on special occasions called Anakata. Though it is
used daily to wipe the body after a bath the usage is far wider.
- It holds a special place in Assamese society. The male bihu dancers wrap gamosa around the head
while performing Bihu dance.
- Gamosa which is used to pay respect to elders during Bihu is called Bihuwan. In Assamese society
guests are always welcomed with a gamosa.
- It is used to cover the altar of the Namghar and is used to cover the holy scriptures. An object of
reverence is never placed on the bare ground, but always on a gamosa.
- A farmer used the gamosa as a waistcloth (tongali) or a loincloth (suriya).
- The gamosa is used equally by all irrespective of religious and ethnic backgrounds.
- All tribes have their own Gamosa with a minor modification of motifs. Thus the gamosa is undoubtedly
the symbol of life and culture of Assamese.
- Historian Dr. Leela Gogoi mentioned the usage of Gamosa during Ahom days. There is also a
reference of Gamosa from the days of Srimanta Sankardeva. "Sankardeva's disciple Sri Sri
Madhabdev got the news of the sad demise of Sankardeva when his son Ramananda Thankur came
running wearing a Gamosa in his head.

Q. Write a short note on "Jaapi".

- ‘Jaapi’, the headgear which is produced on a commercial scale, are of various designs and sizes.
- The Jaapis ornamented and embroidered with different designs were indicative of the dignity and social
status of those who used them in the past.
- Although use of such Jaapis is no longer in vogue now, the embroidered and ornamented Jaapis are
still considered as precious possession by the rich and poor alike.
- Many varieties of 'Jaapis' such as 'Halua Jaapi, Pitha Jaapi', Sorudoiya Jaapi, 'Bordoiya Jaapi', 'Can
Jaapi; etc., are produced in the undivided districts of Nalbari, Kamrup, Nagaon, Darrang, Sivasagar
and Lakhimpur.
- Nalbari and its neighbouring villages such as Kamarkuchi, Mughkuchi, etc.,deserve special mention in
respect of manufacturing of 'Phulam Jaapis' (decorated bamboo umbrellas).
- In the Nagaon district, the bestJaapis are made at Kandali, Uriagaon, Jagi and Kathiatoli.
Important freedom fighters
Kanaklata Baruah
- She was born on 22nd December 1924, in Borangabari village of the undivided Darrang district of
Assam (Now Biswanath District). Kanaklata Barua made a name for herself during the Quit India
Movement when she joined the Mrityu Bahini, a suicide squad when she was only 17 years old.
- She had earlier applied to join the Azad Hind force but was rejected because she was a minor.
- Baruah led a procession of unarmed villagers in the revolution camp of Gohpur division of undivided
Darrang district to hoist and unfurl the national flag at the police station.
- Consequently the police opened fire and she was shot dead holding the flag ,which was subsequently
picked up by her compatriot Mukunda Kakati, who was also killed later.
- That is why she is also known as "Birbala".

Bir Tikendrajit
- Bir Tikendrajit Singh the crown prince of Manipur who laid down his life along with his general
"Thangal" for protecting the territorial integrity of the state against the British imperialist design.
- He has gone down in the annals of history as a hero of supreme sacrifice and extraordinary Valour
- A series of coups, exiles and appeals for help eventually led to the British getting directly involved in
Manipur.
- In 1891, the Anglo Manipur war was fought between the British soldiers and Manipuri army under king
Kulachandra.
- To save their motherland the Manipur is fought very bravely and the direction of tikendrajit.
- But it was all in vain against the superior might and arms of the British.
- On 27th April 1891, the British occupied Manipur. Tikendrajit was arrested and after a free trial by
general court martial he was publicly hanged on 13 August 1891.

Rani Gaidinliu
- Gaidinliu was a Naga spiritual and political leader who led a revolt against British rule in India.
- Once she stated "we are free people, the white man should not rule over us" when she was 13 years
old while issuing a Clarion call to all technic Naga tribes from remote hills of North eastern region.
- She joined the Heraka religious reform movement began by her cousin Haipou Jadonang which sought
to standardise the traditional Naga system against the growing influence of Christianity and
vaishnavism.
- The movement later turned into a political movement seeking to drive out the British from Manipur and
the surrounding Naga areas.
- Within the Heraka faith, she came to be considered an incarnation of the Goddess Cherachamdinliu.
- Gaidinliu was arrested in 1932 at the age of 16, and was sentenced to life imprisonment by the British
- Nehru gave her the title of "Rani" ("Queen"), and she gained local popularity as Rani Gaidinliu.

Haipou Jadunang
- He was Rongmei Naga Leader from present day of Manipur who was also a spiritual & political leader
and social reformers who sought to emancipate the naga people from the clutches of British colonial
rule during the early 20th century
 - Jadonang was seen as a spiritual figure early in life garnering the attention of folks from Zelianggrong
tribal community living in tri junction of Assam,Nagaland and Manipur.
- Aside from Heraka movement ,he started building an army which he called " Riphen " comprising five
hundred men and women.The army was well versed in military tactics weaponry and reconnaissance
missions.
- He was also organised in civilian matters and assisting with farming, livestock grazing and composed
song singing praises of the struggle against the British which his disciple Rani Gaidinliu imparted to his
followers
- 1931 he was arrested by British officials on charges of sedition and later hanged on false murder
charges when he was only 26.

Maniram Dewan
- Maniram was a true representative of the rising middle class in Assam
- He remained loyal to the rulers as long as cooperation with them served his interest.
- He started his career as a loyal servant and friend
- Maniram served the British first as the Tehsildar of upper Assam. He helped in reorganising the khels
and opening up new sources of revenue.
- Maniram helped the local authorities in subjugating the Bhutiyas, Khasis, and Garos.
- Purandar Singha vested in hism the responsibility of supervision of several newly created mouzas over
and above his normal duties as sheristadar in the revenue department.
- Later he resigned from these offices because of the British misrule.
- He grew terribly disgusted to see Purandar deposed in 1838.
- Later the mauzas gifted to him by Purandar Singha were confiscated by the British.
- He then joined the Assam Tea Company at Nazira as its Dewan and raised the profit of the company.
- But soon he became infuriated by the overbearing attitude of the small minded Sahibs subordinate to
him and retired from his office.
- He started two gardens of his own at Jorhat and achieved remarkable success.
- But he encountered the discrimination when he failed to get the waste lands in concessional rates like
the European planters.
- In 1851, British took away from his the remaining mouzas which his family had been enjoying for more
than a generation and gave them to a person, who was hitherto subordinated to him.
- After the sepoy mutiny started in May 1857 Maniram Devan saw it as an opportunity to restore our
home rule in Assam.
- With the help of Kandarpeswar Singha and others he planned to launch a rebellion against the British
with support from sepoys deployed in Assam.
- Several local influential leaders had planned the Revolt in August 1857 with Maniram Dewan
coordinating from Kolkata and decided that Kandarpeswar Singha will be installed as the king but this
plan was revealed before it could be executed and he was arrested.
- Later Maniram Dewan along with his associate Piyali Baruah were publicly hanged on 26th
February,1858.

Kushal Konwar
- He was the prominent leader of Assam during the Quit India movement and people of Assam
organised under his leadership which made the British furious.
- Kushal Konwar was born in 1905 at balijan near Sarupathar in the current district of golaghat, Assam
 - He was inspired by Gandhi and he had participated in the non cooperation movement against the
British.
- He left school at the age of 21 and later he had also established a primary school and worked there as
an honorary teacher.
- Due to his bad economic status he worked in a tea garden as a clerk but in 1936 he left the job to fully
devoted to the freedom struggle
- He had joined the Congress party and led the party in the Satyagraha and non cooperation movement
in his area.
- While in 1942 the Congress working committee passed the quit India resolution the British government
quickly arrested all the prominent leaders from all over India
- In Assam state level Congress leaders were arrested and local level leaders like Kushal Konwar took
the responsibility of running the movement
- He was a believer in Gandhi's ideology and he did not approve the methods used by the "mrityu bahini"
that was formed during the Quit India movement.
- On 10th October 1942 a train carrying British soldiers derailed near Sarupathar railway station and it is
said that around 1,000 soldiers were killed in that accident.
- Since Kushal Konwar was a prominent Congress leader in the area,he too was arrested and falsely
implicated in the case.
- Kushal Kumar was not aware about the plan to derail the train but he was painted as the mastermind
behind the plan.
- At dawn on 15 June in 1943 freedom fighter Kushal was hanged to death by the British in the Jorhat
jail.

Important personalities

Ajan Fakir
● Creator and promoter of Assamese Zikir (Songs of praise).
● Supposedly, he came to Assam from Ajmir in the seventh-eighth century.
● He promoted Islam religion with the help of the disciples in Saraguri Chapari of Sivasagar.
● His real name was Shah Milan.

Aideu Handique :
● First Assamese film actress.
● She was the heroine of the first Assamese film Joymoti, made in 1935 by Jyotiprasad Agarwala.
● She was restricted from marriage whole her life for the crime of acting in film.

Ambikagiri Raichoudhury
● Noted poet, literary person Born in 1885 on 18 of December at Barpeta.
● In 1904, formed the Anarchist party
● In 1907, he staged a self written play Bandini Bharat
● 3 volumes of poetry published ate Tumi (Thou). Bina, Shatadhar
● Plays Jayadrath Badh, Bhakta Gourav, Kalyanmoyee eto.
● He is the composer of the famous poem Bando Ki Chandere
● In 1927 he established Guwahati Music College
 ● Founder of Assam Sanrakshini Sabha
● In 1935, he founded and edited the weekly Deka Asam (Young Assam).
● His other works Deka Dokerir Bed, Aahun (Offering), Anubhut (Feelings) etc.
● He was famous as Assam Kesari.
● In 1950 he was the president of Asom Sahitya Sabha.
● Was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award for his anthology Bedonar Ulka in 1966.
● Died on 2 of January, 1967

Ananda Chandra Agarwalla:

● Noted poet literary personality.
● He wrote the police Manual in 1906.
● One of the founders of Tezpur Mahila Silpa Mandir.
● He received the title of ‘Rai Sahab' in 1916 and the of 'Rai Bahadur in 1921.
● His published book of poems in Jilikoni
● Historical books Goalparar Purani Bibaran, An Account of Assam
● Text books Komal Path, Adi Path.
● He was also called Bhangoni Knowar because of his ability to translate English poems beautifully into
Assamese

Ananda Chandra Baruah:

● Famously known as Bakul Banar Kavi.
● Founder editor of Bani Sammelan.
● Established Chintamani Chakra in 1962 at Jorhat and was its president.
● The president of Asom Sahitya Sabha in 1969.
● Awarded the Padmashree in 1973.
● Awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award for his book of poems Bakul Banar Kavita.
● Published books of poems : Parag, Hafizar Sur, Sel Neemati Puwaray Pora. Bakul Banar Kavita etc.
Dramas: Vijaya, Kamata Kunwari, Nala-Damyanti etc. Translated works: Soviet Kavita, Kumar
Sambhav and a translation of Light of Asia, - Asiar Jyoti.

Anandaram Dhekial Phukan :

● Born at Guwahati In 1819 on the 24th of August.
● In 1855, he took on the pen-name of ‘A Native' and wrote a book titled 'A Few Remarks on
Assamese Language'.
● Published book: Asomiya Lorar Mitra (The Assamese Boy's Companion) etc.

Ananta Kandali :
● Contemporary of Srimanta Sankardeva
● He was born at Hajo in 1520 AD
● Original name was Haricharan. His argumentative abilities won him the title 'Ananta Kandali'.
● Later on, honoured with titles of Shri Chandra tBirarati ond Bhagavat Bhattacharya
Anundoram Borooah
● Assam's first graduate, barister & ICS.
● Bom.on 13 May, 1850, at Guwahati
● Published works - Practical English Sanskrit Dictionary, Bhavabhuti, Mahabir Charitam, bhavabhuti and
His Place in Sanskrit, Higher Sanskrit Grammar etc.

Arimatta:
● King of ancient Kamrup
● He is believed to have born out of the river Brahmaputra
● According to folklore, the head of king Arimatta was shaped like Ari fish,
● Some other folk tales say that the descendents of Arimatta did not consume Ari fish.
● Arimatta vanquished the Kacharies & Jayantias and thus extended the boundaries of his kingdom.
● He was killed at the hands of a king called Phengua'

Bhabendra Nath Saikia

● Noted short story writer and famous film director.
● Born on 20 February 1939.
● movies like Sandhyarag, Anirbaan, Agnisnaan, Kolahal, Sarathi, Abarton Itihas, etc. have gained
recognition at the national level and won awards.
● Published books Shrinkhal, Sandur, Gahbor Antarip
● Won the Sahitya Akademi Award for Shrinkhal in 1976
● Also awarded the Assam Valley Literary Award and Srimanta Sankardev Award in 1990 and 1998
respectively
● Died on 13 August 2003.

Bhupen Hazarika:
● World famous artist, musician
● First Assamese to get the 'Dada Saheb Phalke Award' (1992)
● Born on 8 September 1926.
● Sang the first song over Kolkata AIR in 1939.
● Awarded the Padmashree and the Srimanta Sankardeva Award (1987)
● Also honoured with Padma Bhushan in 2001.
● President of Asom Sahitya Sabha in 1993.
● The editor of Amar Pratinidhi Pratinidhi for sometime
● Died on 5 November 2011
● Honoured with Padma Vibhushan in 2012 and Bharat Ratna in 2019 posthumously.

Birendra Kumar Bhattacharya

● First Assamese Jnanpith Award winner for his novel Mrityunjoy (Deathless)
● Born on 14 October in 1924.
● President of Asam Sahitya Sabha in 1983.
● Was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award for his novel Yaruingam in 1901
● Published books Mrityunjoy Yaruingam, Rajpathe Ringiyai (The call of highway)
● Died on 6th August, 1997
Bishnu Prasad Rabha:
● A well known Assamese poet, literature, dramatist, musician, dancer and actor
● Popularly known as Kalaguru (teacher of Art),
● Sonpahi, Mising Koneng, Asomiya Kristir Samu Abhash, Atit Asom are some of his published work.
● Born in Dhaka on 31 January in 1909,
● Died on 20 June 1969

Chandra Kumar Agarwalla :

● One of the founders of Jonaki the Assamese magazine, and the editor of its first two issues
● Publisher of the magazine Asomiya in 1928
● Published books on poetry Pratima, Bonboragi. Chandamit
● Died on 2 August 1938

Chandraprabha Saikiani:
● Freedom fighter and social activist.
● Considered to be the pioneer of feminist movement in Assam
● Single woman and unmarried mother. Son – Atul Saikia (Father - Dandinath Kalita)
● Founder of the All Assam Pradeshik Mahila Samiti
● Invited speaker of Assam Sahitrya Sabha, Nagaon Session, 1925.
● Recipient of Padma-Shri (1972)
● Published her first short story in the local magazine “Bahi” in 1918
● Novels – Pitri Vitha, Sipahi Bidroh, Dillir Singhasan and Kavi Anav Ghosh.

Chandraprasad Saikia:
● Awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1995 for his novel Maharathi
● Books published: Maharathi, Nirvachita Sampadakiya, Meghmallar, Jan-mantar, Dristikon etc
● President of Asom Sahitya Sabha in 1999
● Awarded the Publication Board Award in 2000 for his novel Tore More Alokore Yatra
● Recipient of Assam Valley Literary Award for 2002.
● Died on 8 August, 2006 Honoured with Padma Bhushan in 2007 posthumously .

Deepali Barthakur
● Known as ‘Nightingale of Assam”
● Padmashree - 1998
● Took early retirement from music industry due to health issues (motor neuron disease)
● In 1976 she married Neel Pawan Barua, the eminent artist
● Died on 21 December, 2018

Jyoti Prasad Agarwala

● Lyricist, dramatist, and the father of Assamese Cinema
● Known as Roopkonwar
● Born on 17th June, 1903
 ● First president of the Assam branch of the Indian People’s Theatre Association (IPTA)
● First film - Jaymoti (1935), followed by Indramalati.
● Died on 17th January (Silpi Diwas), 1951

Krishna Kanta Handique

● Noted Sanskrit scholar and linguist
● The first honorary principal of Jagannat Barua College, Jorhat
● First Vice-Chancellor of Gauhati university
● First Assamese to receive Padma Bhushan and Padmasree

Lakshminath Bezbarua
● Born on 14 October, 1864
● Known as Sahityarathi and Rasaraj
● Founder editor of Magazine ‘Bahi’ (1909)
● President of Assam Sahitya Sabha, 1924
● Died on 26 March, 1938

Madhavdev
● Main disciple of Sankardeva
● Born in 1489 in Letekupukhuri, Lakhimpur
● Earlier he was a follower of Sakta Hinduism. After a debate with Sankardeva that lasted for four and
half hours, Madhavdeva accepted Sankardeva as his guru.
● Madhavdeva’s conversion occurred in the year 1532.
● He died in Madhupur Satra, Koch Behar.

Mamani Roisom Goswami

● Original name - Indira Goswami
● Sahitya Akademi Award in 1982 for Mamore Dhora Tarowal
● First Assamese woman to receive Jnanpeeth award
● Died on 29 November 2011

Nalini Bala Devi:

● President of Asom Sahitya Sabha in 1954
● She was honoured with Padmashree in 1958 and Sahitya Akademi Award for her book Alokánandá in
1967
● Published books on poetry Sandhiyar Sur, Sapnar Sur, Yugdevtá, Parashmani etc.
● Collection of essays: Santipath.
● Biographies : Smrititirtha, Vishwadeepa, Eri Aha Dinbor.
● Children's drama Parijata Abishek, Mirâbâi, Sesh Puja, Prahlad
● Died on 24 December, 1977.

Navakanta Barua:
● President of Asom Sahitya Sabha in 1990
 ● Received Sahitya Akademi Award for his novel Kokadeutar Har in 1975
● He Was honoured with Padma Bhushan in 1976
● He also wded Assam Valley Literary Award in 1993
● Books - Kadhalar Hár Kapili Pariya Sdhu, Hey Any Way Mahanagar ( Forel, O Metrodlo), Marhu Prithi
ha Aru Sketch etc.

Nilamani Phukan:
● Nilmani Phookan was born on 10 September, 1933.
● He has won the 56th 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, Kavita
(Kobita).
● He was awarded the Padma Shri by Government of India in 1990,
● He received the Sahitya Akademi Fellowship, the highest literary honour in India, given by Sahitya
Akademi, India's National Academy of Letters in 2002.
● He was also awarded the Assam Valley Literary Award in 1997
● Works - Surya Heno Nami Ahe Ei Nadiyadi, Manas-pratima, Phuli Thaka Suryamukhi Phultor Phale

Padmanath Gohain Barua :

● First president of Asom Sahitya Sabha in 1917.
● He was a novelist, poet, dramatist of excellence, analyst and a thought provoking writer.
● Considering his towering personality and profound knowledge, he is regarded as the "Pitamaha" (great
grandfather) in the Assamese literary world.
● First person to obtain literary pension in 1906.
● Editor of Ushå, Bijuli, Assam Banti.
● Books published - Joymoti, Gadådhar, Teton Tamuli Bhanumati, Sahitya Sangrah etc.

Syed Abdul Malik

● Sahitya Akademi Award in 1972 for his novel Aghari Atmar Kahini
● President of Axom Sahitya Sabha 1977 (Abhayapuri)
● Other awards: Padmashri, Padma Bhusan, Sankar Dev Award, Xahityacharyya
● Other books - Shurujmukhir Shapna, Dhanya Nar Tanu Bhal, Ruptirthar Yatri, Rajanigondhar sokulo,
Parashmoni, Adharshila, Moroha phul, Shakhar, Sobighar, Ronga gora