DERGAON, April 1 - Prafulla Chandra Bora, noted litterateur, story writer and retired head of the Assamese department of DKD College, Dergaon, passed away around 5.40 am at his residence, Jonak, here today. Bora was also a former president of the Golaghat district Sahitya Sabha. He was 72.
Born in 1943, Bora did his BA from JB College, Jorhat, and MA in Assamese from the Dibrugarh University. Later, he started his career as a teacher at the Naharani High School and the Dergaon Joynath Sanskrit School. He also worked as an announcer for AIR, Dibrugarh centre. Later, he joined the DKD College as a lecturer in Assamese and retired as the HoD from the college in 2003.
Bora became the chairman of the governing body of the college in 2008 and continued his term up to December 25 last year. Along with his teaching career, he started his literary activities with the publication of his first story collection, Soant Salani Hoise. His contribution to Assamese literature in the field of biography is universally acknowledged. His published biographical works are Sayed Abdul Malik- Jiban Aru Kala, Jiban, Kabita Aru Navakant, Bukur Tej Mukhar Bhasha and Padmanath Gohainbarua. Later, he published seven other story collections.
On the other hand, his published novels are Suria sabdar maya, Suagmoni, Chattrabhanga, Bhogdoi baalir jonak, Kanya, Navajibanar padadhwani and Chhan aru poharat. His contributions to the field of studies on Sankaradeva are also an important part of Assamese literature. His published books on Sankaradeva are Adhunik Asomiya Aitihya Aru Sampratik Chinta-charcha and Chordhara-pimpara gusua naat. His contributions to criticism are Asomiya Sahitya: Adhunik Yug, and Dhalfaat-dhalpuwa-dokmokali-kahilipuwa. The other books edited by him are Aitihya: Asomiya Sahitya, Lakshminath Phukan; Janma satabarsha shradhaghya, Sahityachaya Jatindranath Goswami: Jiban aru sadhana, Kathasilpi Dimbeswar Dayal Sarma Avinanadan gantha and Uttar swadhinata jugar Asomiya Sahitya.
He wrote more than 200 short stories, more than 20 novels, more than 2,000 articles, 12 radio aalekhya and some other writings. He also served as the correspondent of the weekly Nilachal in 1968-80.
He was elected the president of the Golaghat district Sahitya Sabha for two consecutive terms, executive member of Asam Sahitya Sabha, executive member of the Asom Pragtishil Silpi-Sahityik Sangha, president of Sahityachayya Sayed Abdul Malik Smitirakshya Samiti, Zikir Samrat Rekibuddin Ahmed Smriti Rakshya Samiti and DKD College golden jubilee celebration committee. He was elected as the member of Assamese Language Advisory Council of Sahitya Akademi and also for Akademi�s �Writer in Residency� scheme.
The death of the litterateur was widely mourned. The last rites were performed at Pachani Bora Gaon in the afternoon. Bora leaves behind his wife, three daughters and a host of relatives.
