Biography of Lakshminath Bezbaruah

Lakshminath Bezbaruah, who made his literary debut through Jonaki, is not only popular of modern Assamese literature but he is the national hero who infuses the life of the intellectual consciousness of the Assamese nation. Lakshminath Bezbaruah, who has been working on creating a new form in Assamese caste, language, literature and culture has been writing literature all his life in the field of literature with various social aspects as a theme for the development of Assamese nation with the pursuit of creating a new form, has a variety of social aspects for the development of Assamese nation in the field of literature throughout his life. Looking at Lakshminath Bezbaruah’s entire literary books, writings, articles, etc., it is seen that there is no such thing in the various aspects of literature he has created throughout his life which is irrelevant in the context of social or time.

Biography of Lakshminath Bezbaruah

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Early Life

Lakshminath Bezbaruah, who had made an outstanding contribution to Assamese language literary culture through great creation, was born in a noble family in Sivasagar with versatility. Lakshminath Bezbaruah’s father’s name is Dinanath Bezbaruah and mother’s name is Thaneswari Devi. Lakshminath Bezbaruah’s father Dinanath Bezbaruah was working as munsif/subordinate judge of the British government. Importantly, Dinanath Bezbaruah, who was transferred to various places by work sources, was once transferred from Nagaon to Barpeta. Lakshminath Bezbaruah was  born on 14th October 1864 at Ahatguri in Nagaon on the day of Laxmi Purnima while the family was travelling by a boat from Nagaon to Barpeta. Lakshminath was named after him for being born on the day of Laxmi Purnima.

Also Read: Biography of Manmohan Singh

Education

Lakshminath Bezbaruah’s formal education started directly in Guwahati but his school was changing as his father was shifting to different places. He passed the entrance examination in the second division from the government school in Sivasagar in 1886. Lakshminath Bezbaruah, who moved to Kolkata for higher education, has passed the F.A exam from Ripon College. He received his BA degree from General Assembly College in Kolkata in 1890. He later enrolled in Ripon College with a desire to become advocate and Presidency College with the aim of pursuing an MA in English literature, but his studies were not completed for some special reasons.

Importantly, Lakshminath Bezbaruah was given government posts twice by the government after completing his BA degree but independent Bezbaruah had rejected both the posts.

Language Movement

Lakshminath Bezbaruah became acquainted with Western literary culture while studying in Kolkata. During that time along with the Assamese students living in Kolkata Lakshminath Bezbaruah, Hemchandra Goswami, Chandrakumar Agarwala, in 1888, the Assamese Language Development Sadhini Sabha briefly formed a programmed called A.V.U.Sa. This A.V. U. Sa. played an important role in the re-emergence of Assamese language. Lakshminath Bezbaruah, Hemchandra Goswami, Chandrakumar Agarwala’s sincere efforts led to the beginning of innovation in Assamese language literature. ‘Jonaki’ magazine was published in 1889. Through Jonaki magazine, Lakshminath Bezbaruah introduced the Assamese nation to the past, heritage and pride of Assam and gave Assamese caste, language and culture a distinct status through literature.

Lakshminath Bezbaruah was married to Pragyasundari, daughter of the Thakur family of Jorasanko in 1891. Importantly, Pragyasundari is the daughter of Mahrishi Devendra Nath Thakur’s third son Hemendra Nath Thakur and nephew of Rabindranath Thakur.

He later started a wood business in 1893 with famous Assam businessman Bholanath Baruah. In 1909, Lakshminath Bezbaruah’s edited magazine Banhi was published which played a significant role in the field of Assamese literary culture. Lakshminath Bezbaruah served as president at the Assamese Students’ Literature Conference session held in Guwahati in 1916. Importantly, Lakshminath Bezbaruah was awarded the title of “Rasaraj” at the Assam Sahitya Sabha session held in Sivasagar in 1923. Lakshminath Bezbaruah adorned the post of president at the seventh session of the Assam Sahitya Sabha held in Guwahati in 1924.

Literary talent

Lakshminath Bezbaruah is a brilliant star of modern Assamese literature. Lakshminath Bezbaruah was the creator of Assamese short stories, playwright, comedy writer, poet, critic, manager, biography and autobiography writer, the first Assamese collector, translators, cartoonists, researchers. He was the first Assamese legend. Lakshminath Bezbaruah’s great creation, which entered the Assamese literary world through Jonaki, is an invaluable asset to the entire Assamese literature and Assamese nation.

Drama

Lakshminath Bezbaruah made literature a life-long with funny drama. Bezbaruah composed a task/Litikai on the basis of a folk talk published from the first issue of Jonaki. Bezbaruah’s plays can be divided into two parts. One is the short and Humorous Bengali Drama and the other is the historical drama. Bezbaruah’s plays are short and humorous Bengali Drama – Litikai (1889), Pasani (1913), Nomal (1913), Sikarpati-Nikarapati. The historical plays are Belimar/Sunset (1915), Chakradhwaj Singha (1915), Jayamati Konwari (1915).

Other plays and dramas are Gadadhar Raja, Barematara, Ha-ya-ba-ra-l, Helmet and Mangala.

Poems

Lakshminath Bezbaruah made his debut as a poet through Jonaki magazine. The poem titled “Maina” published in the tenth issue of the second year of Jonaki was Lakshminath Bezbaruah’s first poem. In 1913, a collection of poems called ‘Kadamkali’ by Bezbaruah was published. In addition, another poetry book ‘Padmakali’ by Bezbaruah was published posthumously in 1968.

Short Stories

The first short story of Assamese short story originator by Lakshminath Bezbaruah was published in Jonaki magazine. The short story ‘Seuti’ written by Lakshminath Bezbaruah, published in the fourth issue of the fourth year of Jonaki, is the first short story in Assamese literature. The short story collections published by Bezbaruah are Surabhi (1909), Sadhukatha Kuki (1912), Jon Biri (1913) and Kehonkali. Apart from the collections, Bezbaruah’s much read notable stories are Malak Guin Guin, Bhadari, Dhowakhawa, Patmugi, Ratan Munda, Mukti etc.

Stories

Lakshminath Bezbaruah is the collector of the first Assamese saint. By combining the short story that are prevalent in mouth to mouth, Bezbaruah gave his own look by creating his own style. Bezbaruah’s collection of stories are Budhi Ai’s Sadhu (1911), Grandfather and Grandson/Koka Deuta aru Nati Lora (1913), Junuka (1913). 

Novels

Lakshminath Bezbaruah’s only novel is called ‘Padum Konwari’ published in 1905. Full of stories, historical events, tragic juices, etc., this novel is an immense asset to Assamese literature.

Biography and Autobiography

Apart from these Lakshminath Bezbaruah has enriched the repository of Assamese literature by writing autobiographical and biopics. Bezbaruah’s autobiography is called ‘Reminding my life/Mur Jibonar Howarani’. It was published as a novel in 1944. He also wrote autobiographies like Mur Mrigaya, Mur Matrimukh Darshan, Bezbaruah Dinlekha, Bezbaruah Patralekha etc.

The biographies written by Lakshminath Bezbaruah are: Dangoria Dinanath Bezbaruah’s Hangkhipta Jiban Charit, Puroshtam Gajapati, Late Hemchandra Goswami, Late Lambodhar Borah, Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das, Late Vishwanath Baruah, Dangoria Harivilas Agarwala, Karnadhar Naveen Chandra Bordoloi, etc.

Religious Theory Books

Lakshminath Bezbaruah has written religious theory books on Assamese literature by highlighting the ideals of Srimanta Shankardeva and Madhavdeva’s Vaishnavism in the form of new- form. His theoretical books are Sri Sri Shankardeva, Mahapurush Sri Shankardeva and Madhavdeva, Chaitanya deva, Sri Krishna Katha, Tattva Katha, Ras Leela, Bhakti Marga, Bhakti Marga- the path of devotion and love (part 1), Bhakti Marga- the path of devotion and love (part 2).

Other writings

Apart from these Lakshminath Bezbaruah wrote various works critically through comic satire to the faults and weaknesses of individual life and social life under the pseudonym Kripabar Baruah. These are the – Kripabar Baruah’s Kakatar Tupula, Kripabar Barua’s Ovatani, Barbarua’s Boloni, Kripabar Barbarua’s Bhabar Burburani, Barbarua’s Sintar Hilguti, Barbarua’s literary mystery, Kripabar Baruah’s Hamarani/Kripabar Barua’s Conclusion.

Conclusion

This period is called the Age of Bezbaruah from 1890 to 1940 due to the numerous works and relevance created by Lakshminath Bezbaruah, a devotee of language literary culture.The main features of Lakshminath Bezbaruah’s literature, which is a new form of Assamese literature by flowing the stream of Western literature in Assamese literature, are patriotism, nationalism, reform-oriented attitudes.

Lakshminath Bezbaruah, who died on March 26, 1938, spread the literary light on Jonaki’s chest and held the main sum of literature like the Monotonous Emperor throughout the last decade of the 19^{th century} to the thirties of the 20^thcentury. Lakshminath Bezbaruah contributed the bulk of the Assamese newly created era created by Jonaki. There is not a part in Assamese literature where Bezbaruah can be ignored and discussed. Lakshminath Bezbaruah, who has a devoted pursuit of Assamese literature, is the pride of Assam and the self-respect of Assamese. Lakshminath Bezbaruah’s genuine and immense love for the homeland are the path for the new generation.

FAQ

1. When and where was Lakshminath Bezbaruah born?

Ans: He was born in 14^th October 1868, Aahatguri Nagaon, Assam.

2. When he was honoured with the title Rasaraj?

Ans: He was honoured with the title Rasaraj on 29 December 1931 by Assam Sahitya Sabha at its Sibsagar session.

3. What is the meaning of the title Rasaraj?

Ans: The meaning of Rasaraj is ‘The King of Humour’.

4. When and where did he presided over the 7^th annual session of Assam Sahitya Sabha?

Ans: He presided over the 7^th annual session of Assam Sahitya Sabha at Guwahati in 1924.

5. Name some of his notable works?

Ans: Some of his notable works are- Kodom Koli, Podum Koli, Podum Kunwori, Surabhi, Junbiri, Junuka etc.

6. Name some of his comic plays?

Ans: Some of his comic plays are- Litikai, Nomal, Chikarpati Nakarpati etc.

7. Name some of his Biographies?

Ans: Some of his biographies are- Dinanath Bezbaruah’s Hangkhipta Jiban Charit, Sri Sri Shankardev, Mahapurush Sri Sankardev Aru Sri Madhabdev.

8. Name some of his autobiographies?

Ans: Some of his autobiographies are- Mur Jiban Suwaran, Patralekha, Dinalekha.

9 What is the name of his only novel and when did it published?

Ans; Lakshminath Bezbaruah’s only novel is called ‘Padum Konwari’ published in 1905.

10 When did Lakshminath Bezbaruah died and what is this day observed as?

Ans: He died in March 26, 1938 at the age of seventy, and this day is observed by ‘The Asom Sahitya Sabha’ as ‘Sahitya Divas.’

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