Bhabendra Nath Saikia was a novelist, short-story writer, Editor and a Film director from Assam, India. Bhabendra Nath Saikia received his Doctorate degree (Ph.d) in Physics from the University of London. He then started his career as a reader in the physics department of Guwahati University. He was the founding editor of Assamese language fortnightly magazine Prantik and Children’s Magazine Safura/Hafura.
He also composed plays for radio plays, mobile theatre. He also directed eight Assamese films. He won the ‘Rajat Kamal Award’ from the Government of India for seven of these films. He also received the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1976 and the Assam Valley Sahitya Puraskar in 1990 as well as the Padma Shri.
Biography of Bhabendra Nath Saikia
| Name | Bhabendra Nath Saikia[1] |
| Date of Birth | February 20, 1932 |
| Place of Birth | Nagaon, Assam |
| Age | 71 |
| Occupation | Teacher, filmmaker, writer |
| Spouse | Preeti Saikia |
| Children | Sangeeta and Rashmi (daughter) |
| Died | 13 August, 2003 |
| Awards | 1. Assam Publishing Council Award 2. Sahitya Akademi Award 3. Assam Valley Literature Award 4. Srimanta Shankardev Award. |
Early Life and Education of Bhabendra Nath Saikia
Bhabendra Nath Saikia was born on February 20, 1932 in Nagaon city. His father’s name was Bidur Saikia and his mother’s name was Champawala Saikia. In 1948, he passed the entrance examination with Star Mark and joined Cotton College and from there in 1952 he passed B.sc with honours in physics. He then received his M.sc degree in Physics from Presidency College, University of Calcutta in 1955 -1956 and travelled abroad for his higher studies. In 1961, he received a doctorate degree from the University of London. He also received his diploma from the Imperial College of Science and Technology in London.
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Personal life of Bhabendra Nath Saikia
Dr Bhabendra Nath Saikia was married to Preeti Saikia. Their two daughters were Dr Sangeeta and Rashmi. On August 13, 2003, Dr. Bhabendra Nath Saikia died of illness.
Career of Bhabendra Nath Saikia
He started his career as a reader in the physics department of Guwahati University. Many of his stories have been translated into other Indian languages. He was the founding editor of Assamese language fortnightly magazine Prantik and children’s magazine Safura/Hafura. He received the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1976 and the Assam Valley Literature Award in 1990 as well as the Padma Shri in 2001 for his services to the literature, culture and cinema of Assam. Saikia has made a special contribution to the Assamese theatre world. Apart from composing several radio plays, he also composed multiple plays for mobile platforms. Saikia directed eight films in the film industry and his films gained special fame at the International Film Festival in India and abroad. The Government of India presented the ‘Rajat Kamal’ Award for his seven films. He was also the president of the Jyoti Chitraban which was for a long time the only film studio in Assam.
Having spent his childhood in poverty, Saikia established the Aarohan Trust in Guwahati using the money he received from the Assam Valley Literary Award to provide free training to poor children interested in art, theatre and music.
Compositions of Bhabendra Nath Saikia
He is recognised as one of the top rankink writers of Assam. Many stories have been translated into English, Bengali, Hindi, Telegu, Malayalam, Marathi, Gujrat etc. He had also written a large number of plays for All India Radio (AIR). He directed eight feature films which have bee screened at International Film Festivals held at various places such as Cannes, Madras, Hydrabad, New Delhi, Bangalore, Calcutta, Karlovy Vary, Algeria, Pyong Yong (North Korea), Sydney, Munich, Montreal and Toronto. Seven out of Saikia’s eight films have been selected for Indian Panorama Section of the International Fim Festival of India. Some of his other compositions are as follows:
Feature films
Sandhya Raag, Anirban, Agnisnaan, Kolahal, Sarothi, Abartan, Itihaas, Kaal Sandhya.
Novels
Antarip, Ramyabhumi,Atankar Shekhot
Short story collections
Prahari, Sendur, Gahabar, Srinkhal, Upakantha, Ai Bandaror Abeli, Brindabon, Taranga, Sandhya Bhraman, Galpa Aru Shilpa, Akash.
Plays
Romyabhumi, Neelakontho, Mahaaranya, Deenabandhu, Paandulip, Asmrapaali, Aranyat Godhuli, Monikut, Gahbor, Gadhuli, Amrit, Barnamaalaa, Bandeexaal, Digambar, Swargar Duwar etc.
Children’s books
Moromar Deuta, Tumalukor Bhal Houk, Mahadustor Dustobuddhi, Morom.
Essays
Hekh Pristha (vol 1, 2, 3, 4).
Humor books
Kalpalukor Kahini, Hampadokor Kuthalit.
Magazines
Prantik, Safura/Hafura.
Awards and Recognition
Dr. Saikia has been honoured at various times at various events in recognition of his work. Some of them are : Assam Publishing Council Award(1973), Sahitya Akademi Award (1976) Assam Valley Literature Award (1990) Srimanta Shankardev Award (1998) Padma Shri Award (2001), Degree of D.Litt, (2001). The Assam Government has named a road in Guwahati and a state award in his honour.
Death
Saikia died on 13 August 2003 in Guwahati after surviving from long illness and is survived by his wife Preeti Saikia and two daughters.
FAQ
1. When and where was Bhabendra Nath Saikia born?
Ans: Bhabendra Nath Saikia was born on February 20, 1932 at Nagaon Assam.
2. Who is Bhabendra Nath Saikia?
Ans: Bhabendra Nath Saikia was a novelist, short-story writer, Editor and a Film director from Assam, India.
3. With what Award Saikia was conferred by the Government of India for his seven films?
Ans: Rajat Kamal Award.
4. When did Dr. Saikia was conferred with Padma Shri Award?
Ans: In 2001 Saikia was conferred with Padma Shri Award.
5. When did Bhabendra Nath Saikia died?
Ans: Dr. Saikia died on 13 August 2003.
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