Language is the carrier of a nation’s identity. A language is developed and kept alive by the literature of that language. So, literature is also known as the mirror of a nation. Literature plays an important role in brightening the national reality, language culture by representing a nation. Bhubanmohan Baruah alias Kanchan Baruah is one of the people who has been able to make the nation known in the world through his unique literary creations and to make the nation familiar with his unique literature. Bhubanmohan Baruah alias Kanchan Baruah is one of the popular names that made its debut in Assamese literature by writing several evergreen novels in the 40s. Bhubanmohan Baruah alias Kanchan Baruah’s evergreen creation has continued to enthrall the readership even today. Baruah started the tradition of writing novels by creating romantic atmosphere with beautiful stories in Assamese novel literature with the novel “Asimot Jar Heral Seema.“
Biography of Bhubanmohan Baruah
| Name | Bhubanmohan Baruah[1] |
| Pen Name | Kanchan Baruah |
| Date of Birth | 1914 |
| Place of Birth | Shillong |
| Father’s Name | Bhairab Baruah |
| Education | Prince of Wales, Jorhat |
| Death | May 10, 1998 |
Early Life and career of Bhubanmohan Baruah
Bhubanmohan Baruah was born in 1914 in Shillong, the then capital of Assam. His father’s name was Bhairab Chandra Baruah. Born in Shillong, but his father was from Sivasagar. It may be recalled that Bhubanmohan Baruah was the second son of Bhairab Chandra Baruah. Baruah’s mother was the daughter of noted musician Lakhiram Baruah. Bhubanmohan Baruah’s grandmother was Maniram Dewan’s daughter.
Bhubanmohan Baruah took primary education in Shillong. He later completed his diploma course from the Prince of Wales Engineering Institute in Jorhat. It may be recalled that Baruah had spent his professional career at Digboi, Oil Refinery and later as chairman of Tokolai Tea Laboratory. Bhubanmohan Baruah also served in the Tarpin Oil factory in Shillong. Baruah later served as a member of the Film Financial Management Committee (Film Finance Board) under the Assam government.
Bhubanmohan Baruah, who worked as a professional engineer, not only focused on literary practices by enthralling readers from generation to generation but was also a painter in parallel. Moreover, he was a devoted seeker of music. Bhubanmohan Baruah also had a lot of knowledge in English language literature. Importantly, he was equally responsible for his own language and culture, even though he was attracted to English language literature. It may be recalled that he was a writer possessing a strong personality. He also focused heavily on cleanliness in his personal life.
Apart from doing literary work Baruah also had a lot of interest in sports. He participated in cricket several times representing Oil while on duty at Digboi, Oil refinery. He also showed his interest in hockey, cricket, tennis, football. His favourite game is – Cricket and tennis. It may be recalled that Baruah is of a introvert personality living in Shillong, had given a lot of advice to the directors in making films, besides painting many paintings hanging in the then Assam Assembly in Meghalaya. Bhubanmohan Baruah, who loved playing Behala and Violin, continued to talk about music, dance, drama in association with the Shillong Arts Council.
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Literary Works
Bhubanmohan Baruah published several other novels and story collections. Those are- ‘Ashanto Prohor’, ‘Puwoti tora’, ‘Mrityu bihanga’, ‘Joya Mahal’, ‘Urmilar Sokulu’, ‘Suvarna Boloi’, ‘Moun Puri’ and The story collection published is “Mrigatrishna.” Bhubanmohan Baruah contributed not only to novels or stories but also to the field of drama literature. The first play he wrote was – ‘Roopshilpi.‘ It may be recalled that later another novel, ‘Suvarna Boloi’, was written by him about the story of the ‘Roopshilpi.’ It may be recalled that Bhubanmohan Baruah had written a biopic on the life of literary Laxmiram Baruah. The name of the novel is- “Hur Deolor Pujari.”
Importantly, it has been 75 years since Baruah’s novel “Asimat Jar Heral Seema” was published on July 15, 2020. This novel completes the jubilee of Maharaja. First published on July 15, 1945. In Assamese literature, “Asimat Jar Heral Seema” is the widely read and widely circulated novel. The cover of the book was painted by Vijay Krishna Mandal. Importantly, the book, which published a total of 27 editions in these 75 years till 2019, was published in the same book.
Importantly, “Asimat Jar Heral Seema” is still popular among all-age readers. So far this novel has been translated into 109 languages. The novel was recently translated into English language as well. This novel was translated into English by Salim M Hussain. This novel still gets the most attraction of readers at book fairs. It may be recalled that this is the first novel in Assamese literature to be written about castes and previous births. Baruah wrote the novel by watching an English film and by blending his imagination inspired from it. The novel, which was completed at the end of nearly nine to ten months, was not written simultaneously by Bhubanmohan Baruah from the beginning. Instead, he wrote the last chapter of the novel earlier.
In 1949, a play called ‘Meenakanchan’ was performed in Sivasagar on the story of the novel “Asimat Jar Heral Seema.” Moreover, the story of this novel was staged by Kohinoor Theatre in the 1980-81 drama year with the same name, the novel was dramatised by Prafulla Bora, while directed by Hemanta Dutta and Mahananda Sharma.
Importantly, while on duty at the oil refinery he wrote the novel called “Asimat Jar Heral Seema.” But what is significant is that even after the novel was finished writing, he left it for years on the table instead of approaching the publisher. Later one of his relative JK Baruah arranged for the novel to be published.
It may be recalled that Baruah always attained tranquility by staying away from the public eye even though his creation had fascinated millions of readers. Bhubanmohan Baruah, who presented his creations to the readership through his pen name Kanchan Baruah, did not highlight his true identity. He wrote many novels under the pen name of Kanchan Baruah.
Conclusion
The extraordinary writer, who never published his photos, interviewed, saw the face of Assam Sahitya Sabha in life, never attended meeting sessions, played an important role in making Assamese language rich and by extending the Assamese literary world. It may be recalled that not many photos of Bhubanmohan Baruah are available in any medium except for standards like social media. He is alive only through his works and in the midst of words on the book sheet. The depth of Baruah’s thinking and his creation and by spreading his creation in the society is still relevant today.
Baruah, who practiced literature without moving around after recognition, is still remembered by generations as Kanchan Baruah even today. Every generation is eager to read the novel Asimat Jar Heral Seema even today. He has been able to keep every generation in awe of his creative talent even today. Bhubanmohan Baruah’s creation is single and unique, he is able to touch the hearts of the reader community with subtle insights, deep observations, and distinctive writing styles. Bhubanmohan Baruah alias Kanchan Baruah occupies a unique place in Assamese literature for his unique and impeccable creations. This famous writer died on May 10, 1998.
FAQ
1. When and where was Bhubanmohan Baruah born?
Ans: Bhubanmohan Baruah was born in 1914 at Shillong.
2. What is the pen name of Bhubanmohan Baruah?
Ans: Kanchan Baruah.
3. Who wrote Asimat Jar Heral Seema?
Ans: Bhubanmohan Baruah alias Kanchan Baruah.
4. Name some of the novels written by Bhubanmohan Baruah.
Ans: Some of the novels written by Bhubanmohan Baruah are – ‘Ashanto Prohor’, ‘Puwoti tora’, ‘Mrityu bihanga’, ‘Joya Mahal’, ‘Urmilar Sokulu’, ‘Suvarna Boloi’, ‘Moun Puri.‘
5. When did Bhubanmohan Baruah died?
Ans: Bhubanmohan Baruah died on May 10, 1998.
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