Atul Chandra Hazarika (1903–1986) was a prominent Assamese poet, dramatist, children's writer and translator. He was bestowed the epithet "Sahitycharjya"[1] by Asam Sahitya Sabha, the premier literary organization of Assam.

Atul Chandra Hazarika
Born(1903-09-09)9 September 1903
Guwahati, Assam
Died7 June 1986(1986-06-07) (aged 82)
Guwahati, Assam
Pen nameTopobonor Kobi, Dipalir Kobi
OccupationTeacher, Writer
LanguageAssamese
NationalityIndian
Alma materUniversity of Calcutta
Notable worksDipali, Topoban, Manchalekha
Notable awardsSahitya Akademi Award (1969)
Padma Shri (1971)
SpouseSabitri Hazarika
ChildrenJonaki

Life and literary works edit

Born on 9 September 1903, in the state of Assam of India, Atul Hazarika, obtained his M.A. degree from Calcutta University in 1943[2] and started his service life as teacher of Assamese literature. In 1961, he retired as a professor and head of the department of Assamese in Cotton College, Guwahati, Assam. Atul Hazarika was author of more than one hundred books in Assamese. In nineteen thirties he authored a record number of Assamese dramas to give a new lease of life to the Assamese stage. During the same time he became a household name as a young poet-"Dipalir Kobi". He also authored many story books for children. Some of his adaptations of western classics like "Grimor Xadhu", Andersonor Xadhu" became very popular. He was also compiler and editor of works of great as well as many lesser known writers of Assamese. He compiled and edited several works of Sahityarathi Lakshminath Bezbaroa and at the same time he collected and published in "Moroha Phoolor Koroni" works of many talented but lesser known writers who died in their early years. Atul Hazarika was also one of those pioneers who were responsible for giving a new face to Bihu-the national festival of Assam. He was associated with the founding committee, which organized for the first time Bihu on stage at a city pavilion in Guwahati some sixty years back. Atul Hazarika was also a great literary worker and as a general secretary, he was responsible for giving a new lease of life to Asam Sahitya Sabha in the fifties. He became the President of this apex literary organization of Assamese language in 1959.

His other literary works include,[2]

Poetry Collection edit

  • Monimala (1930)
  • Panchajanya (1931)
  • Dipali (1938)
  • Mukutamala (1953)
  • Tapoban (1955)
  • Monmadhuri (1971)
  • Monikut (1973)
  • Raangdhali (1973)

Drama edit

  • Narakasur (1930)
  • Beula (1933)
  • Kaunaj Kunwari (1933)
  • Kurukhetra (1936)
  • Shakuntala (1940)
  • Banijkonwar (1940)
  • Chhatrapati Shivaji (1947)
  • Marjiyana (1948)
  • Rukminiharan (1949)
  • Ashrutirtha (1953)

Children's Literature edit

  • Ichhapar Sadhu (1948)
  • Lorar Jatak (1950)
  • Katha Daxam (1951)
  • Apeshwareer Sadhu (1952)
  • Katha Kirtan (1955)
  • Ramayanar Rahghora (1956)

Other edit

  • Uchawar Rahgharaa (1962)
  • Uchawar Rangchara (1963)
  • Manchalekha (1967)

Collection edit

  • Jatiya Sangeet (1948)
  • Biswajyoti (1958)

Awards edit

Hazarika was awarded Sahitya Akademi Award[3] in 1969 for his magnum opus, Monchalekha, which traced five hundred years of Assamese drama and stage. He was also awarded Padma Shri[4] by Government of India in 1971. Gauhati University has named one of its hostel as Sahitcharya Atul Chnadra Hazarika hostel. Government of Assam has been conferring Atul Chandra Hazarika award on tri-annual basis to noted cultural luminaries of Assam making significant contribution in the field of drama and mobile theaters.[5]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Atul Chandra Hazarika". Poem Hunter. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Asamiya Jivani Abhidhan Ed. 1st". Archive.org. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
  3. ^ "..:: SAHITYA : Akademi Awards ::." 4 March 2016. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  4. ^ "Padma Awards | Interactive Dashboard". www.dashboard-padmaawards.gov.in. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  5. ^ "Awards | Department of Cultural Affairs | Government Of Assam, India". culturalaffairs.assam.gov.in. Retrieved 4 September 2021.