Sahityarathi Lakshminath Bezbaroa was remembered on his 87th death anniversary observing the day as ‘Sahitya Divas’.
Early Life & Education
- Born: November 1868 on a boat in the Brahmaputra River near Nagaon, Assam.
- Father: Dinanath Bezbarua, a British government official.
- Childhood: Lived in various places—Barpeta, Tezpur, North Lakhimpur, and Sivasagar.
- Influence: Grew up listening to folk tales and mythology from Rabinath Majudotor Barua.
- Education:
- Bezbaroa received his early education Sibsagar Govt. High School at Sibsagar.
- Thereafter he studied for his A. from the City College and subsequently graduated with B.A. from the General Assembly’s Institution in Calcutta.
- Then he took his admission in M.A. and B.L. degrees from the University of Calcutta, but he couldn’t complete them both.
Personal Life:
- Married Prajnasundari Devi, granddaughter of Maharshi Devendranath Tagore, against societal norms.
- Refused dowry of 10,000 from the Tagore family.
Contributions to Assamese Literature & Culture
- Revival of Assamese Language: Fought for Assamese to be recognized in schools and courts.
- He was one of the literary stalwarts of the Jonaki Era, the age of romanticism in Assamese literature with his essays, plays, fiction, poetry and satires,
- Jonaki Movement:
- Active contributor to Jonaki, a famous Assamese literary journal.
- Wrote satirical pieces under the pseudonym Kripabar Barua.
- State Anthem of Assam:
- “O Mor Aponar Dex” (1909) became Assam’s official state song in 1927.
- Historical Plays & Farces:
- Joymati: The first Assamese film (1935) by Jyotiprasad Agarwala was based on his play.
- Wrote historical novel Podumkuwari.
Philosophy & Ideals
- Liberal & Rational Thinker:
- Wrote essays on religion, spirituality, and patriotism.
- Influenced by Bengal Renaissance and Anandaram Dhekial Phukan.
Legacy:
- Published 25 books.
- He was the founding president of the Asom Chattra Sanmilan (All-Assam Students’ Conference) at Latasil, Guwahati in 1916.
- He presided over the 7th annual session of Asam Sahitya Sabha held at Guwahati in 1924
- Bezbaroa was honoured by a unique title on 29 December 1931 as Roxoraj by Asam Sahitya Sabha at its Sibsagar session.
- Death: March 26, 1938, in Dibrugarh, Assam.
- Asom Sahitya Sabha observes March 26 as Sahitya Divas in his honor.
Editor:
- Baahi
Poetry Collection of Laxminath Bezbaruah
- Kadam Kali
- Podum Koli
Novel written by Laxminath Bezbaruah
- Padum Kunwari
Short Story Collection by Laxminath Bezbaruah
- Surabhi
- Xadhukathaar Kuki
- Jonbiri
- Kehukali
Children’s folk tales by Laxminath Bezbaruah
- Junuka
- Burhi aair xadhu
- Kokadeuta aaru nati lora
- Baakhar
Collection of satire essays by Laxminath Bezbaruah
- Kripabor Baruar Kaakotor Topola
- Kripabor Baruar Obhotani
- Barbaruar Bhabar Burburani
- Barbaruar Bulani
Comic Plays by Laxminath Bezbaruah
- Litikai
- Nomal
- Paachani
- Chikarpati Nikarpati
Plays by Laxminath Bezbaruah
- Joymati Kunwari
- Chakradhwaj Singha
- Belimaar
Biographies by Laxminath Bezbaruah
- Dinanath Bejbaruar Xankshipta Jiban Charit
- Sri Sri Shankardev
- Mahapurush Sri Sankardev Aru Madhabdev
Autobiography of Laxminath Bezbaruah
- Mor Jiban Sowaran
- Patralekha, Dinalekha
Others collection by by Laxminath Bezbaruah
- Kaamat Kritatwa Labhibar Xanket
- Bhagawat Katha
- Bharatbarshar Buranji
- Tatwa Katha
- Sri Krishnakatha
- The Religion of Love and Devotion
- Axomiya Bhaxa Aru Xahitya
