SIVASAGAR, June 26 - Sahitya Akademi Award recipient for children�s literature, Harendranath Borthakur, was felicitated by 40 socio-cultural organisations in Sivasagar on Sunday in a function organised by a premier theatre group Natyapeeth at the Hindu Dharma Namghar auditorium. Prasanta Sarma, introducing the children�s playwright said that Harendranath Borthakur has won a national award while he was so long overlooked by the so-called established literary luminaries in the State, Asom Prakashan Parishad and the Asam Sahitya Sabha. Rajar Deol written by Borthakur has been staged a record 37 times on different stages of the State in recent times, he added.
Monica Saikia, eminent social worker said that it is a moment of rejoicing for Natyapeeth which took a keen interest in staging Harendranath Borthakur�s plays one after another. Writer Khagendranath Bhuyan said that Borthakur is intellectually ahead of his contemporaries in the field. Juga Gogoi, secretary, Sivasagar Zila Sahitya Sabha, in his speech highly appreciated Borthakur�s dedication to children�s literature. The meeting presided over by Dr Neelakhi Chaliha Gohain was addressed among others by Sarat Hazarika, education secretary, AASU, Dr Nirupama Mahanta, Prof Suresh Saikia, Manoj Kumar Borthakur, Swarnajyoti Borbora, Surovi Borthakur and Jatin Gogoi. Noted singer Manoranjan Gogoi and Uday Dutta rendered two songs and enthralled the gathering while Dilip Das read out the felicitation plaque presented to Harendranath Borthakur.
Harendranath Borthakur in his speech thanked the people of Sivasagar for giving him love and inspiration and added that he writes for the common people and against the overbearing self that seeks to distinguish oneself as respectable or honourable in society.
DOOMDOOMA: The Sahitya Akademi announced its various awards recently. The Sahitya Akademi Bal Sahitya (Children�s Literature) Award was bagged by eminent Assamese playwright and children litterateur Harendranath Borthakur for his lifetime contributions to the Assamese children literature.
The former president of the Sadou Asom Jana Sanskritik Parishad and the Tinsukia District Sahitya Sabha, Harendranath Borthakur has made a remarkable contribution to Assamese children�s literature and drama. Presently he is holding the post of the president of the Tinsukia District Committee of the Asom Natya Sanmelan. In 2009, Borthakur received the Madhabilata Sahitya Bota and in 2011 he received the Dharmeswar Kotoky Sishu Sahitya Bota. A few of his major literary works are: Bigyane Aniba Juwar, Amatar Mat, Rajar Deol, Sonali Din Junali Rati etc.
Born on March 1, 1943 at Mohkhuti Krishnabihari Tea Estate in Sivasagar district, Harendranath Borthakur retired as a teacher of Senairam Higher Secondary School, Tinsukia. A resident of Gandhi Nagar of Makum, Borthakur is associated with various literary and socio-cultural organisations of Makum and Tinsukia.
Talking to this correspondent, Borthakur said that this award was a recognition not only to him but also for Assamese children literature. He also said that through this award, Assamese children literature which has the capability to compete with the children literature of any other language had received a national recognition. In place of him if any other Assamese children writer had got this award, he would have been equally happy, Borthakur added.
Various individuals and organisations of the State and of Tinsukia district in particular have congratulated Harendranath Borthakur for winning this award. He was accorded a warm public felicitation by various individuals and organisations at Jugal Kishor Keshan Bhawan of Makum on Friday. The Asam Sahitya Sabha has also congratulated him. A delegation of the Sabha visited his house and greeted him. AASU general secretary Lurinjyoti Gogoi also congratulated the veteran writer.
