BARPETA, Jan 1 - The Asam Sahitya Sabha will introduce a new award in memory of Bhattadev, the doyen of Assamese prose literature. The award will be named Katha Sahitya Bota. This was stated by Dr Dhrubajyoti Bora, president of the literary body. He also informed that he would seek the cooperation of organisations like All Assam Dev Damodar Sangh and Bhattadev Milan Samiti in this regard for the selection of the awardee.
Addressing a public meeting held as part of the first-ever Katha Sahitya Divas at Byaskuchi in Barpeta district, Dr Bora stated that the proposed award would be given to a person, institution or organisation for the development of Assamese prose literature.
Dr Bora termed Bhattadev as one of the intellectual and spiritual leaders of the State and applauded his role in the development of Assamese literature and language. Stating that modern Assamese prose is based on the foundation laid by Bhattadev, Dr Bora said that he (Bhattadev) not only founded and moulded modern literature and language but also provided a universal and
common platform for communication amongst the common Assamese people. Dr Bora maintained that if Bhattadev had not rendered Gita and Bhagawata into prose, Assamese literature would not have reached such a height. It is the language spoken by more than three crore people around the globe, which occupies the 57th position in the world among spoken languages.
Dr Bora also said that this day would be observed as the Katha Sahitya Divas every year.
Dr Paramananda Rajbongshi, secretary of Asam Sahitya Sabha, Dr Dipak Kumar Sarma, Vice Chancellor of Kumar Bhaskar Barman University of Sanskrit and Ancient Studies, also addressed the meeting.
