Birendra Kumar Bhattacharya

Birendra Kumar Bhattacharya Biography

Birendra Kumar Bhattacharya was one of the pioneers of modern Assamese Literature. He was the first writer from Assam to receive Jnanpith award. He received the award in the year 1979 for his novel Mrityunjay (Immortal). He received Sahitya Akademi Award in Assamese in the year 1961 for his Assamese novel Iyaruingam, a masterpiece work of modern Assamese literature. He has also served as the President of Assam Sahitya Sabha during 1983-1985. Second most popular worker of Bhattacharya is Aai. Birendra Kumar Bhattacharya was born on 14 October 1924 in Safrai, Assam and died in the year 1997, 6^th August. He was 83 years old then.

Birendra Kumar Bhattcharya wrote his first novel 'Rajpahte Ringiai' in 1957. It was based on one day events and predominated by his political and social analysis. His second work was Aai published in the year 1958. This work is regarded as one of the greatest works of Birendra. How a modern civilization can influence and affect a rural village, it’s well sketched in this novel. His third work published in the year 1960 is the masterpiece work of Birendra Kumar that gave him Jnanpith Award as well. Based upon the Tankhrool Naga tribes residing inside Manipur and their sufferings during seperalistics movements of Fizo, this novel was able to draw sympathy of the readers as well as appreciation. This novel gave him Sahitya Academy award as well.

Other notable works of Birendra Kumar are 'Shataghni'(1964) based on China's India attack in 1964, 'Mritunjoy'(1979) which depicts the struggle of common man and Assamese people during British rule in India, Pratipad which portrays the labour movement in 1938-39 in Digboi oil town, Ranga Megh, Ballari and Daaini. Among his collection of poems, Jayanthi is the popular work. His short stories, Satsori'(1963) and 'Kolong aajiu boi'(1962) are also popular.  

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Updated: November 20, 2013