Biography of Rongbong Terang – Padmashree Awardee

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. Language and caste which can make the nation known to the world through its unique literary creations and create its own unique literature is the great and important form of the nation. One such Assamese language literature relentless seeker, possession of a huge personality, soft-spoken, devotee is Padmashree Awardee Rongbong Terang. He is the literary figure from Assam, India. 

Biography of Rongbong Terang

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Early life of Rongbong Terang

Rongbong Terang was born on January 13,1937 in  Lumbungdingpi, a village near Miki Hills and now Bokliyaghat in Karbi Anglong district. His father’s name was Rupsing Terang and his mother’s name was Ba-ik Terang.  Rongbong Terang, who started his primary education at Kaki Lalung Village Primary School, enrolled in Lanka Local Board School in Nagaon district  after studying in this school for the first two years and subsequently studied at Lanka High School after completing his primary education from this school. He passed his entrance examination from Lanka High School and enrolled in Nagaon College in 1958 and graduated from this college in 1962. Importantly, Rongbong Terang and other students were able to bring glory by earning the honour of graduating in Assamese subjects for the first time from Nagaon College. Rongbong Terang subsequently post graduated from Guwahati University in 1966. Importantly, he was also recognized as an artist from Guwahati radio station while studying at Guwahati University.

Also Read : Biography of Indra Bania

Career

Rongbong Terang started his career as a teacher at Lanka High School after completing his master’s degree in Assamese subject. Terang, who also served as an assistant teacher at Kaki High School, Diphu Balika Vidyalaya, joined  Diphu Government College as a lecturer in Assamese department and later retired as principal of Diphu Government College on December 30, 2002.

Achievements of Rongbong Terang

While studying in class VII in high school, Rongbong Terang entered the field of literature with a handwritten article titled ‘Guri Parua’ handwritten magazine ‘Rangani’. Importantly, he was  involved in literary practices as well as sports during his studies in high school. Rongbong Terang played football, volleyball, badminton. Importantly he also played volleyball while studying at the university. Terang, though known as a literary writer today, also had a sports and culturally accessible mind.

Importantly, after writing Guri Parua Rongbong Terang’s first writing published in print letters was a story titled ‘Pretanma’. The story titled ‘Pretanma’ was written by Rongbong Terang centered on a waterfall located in Karbi Anglong district.

Importantly, Terang  got the literary atmosphere while studying at Nagaon College. He also got close to Nabakanta Baruah, Ratnakanta Borkakati and Syed Abdul Malik. The charming natural environment of areas like Kaki, Lanka, Langbudingpi  made Terang interested in literary practices. On the other hand, Rongbong Terang got close to eminent personalities like Maheshwar Neog, Roop Goswami, Satyen Sharma etc. at Guwahati University. He was inspired to move forward in life in the company of these individuals and in the field of literary practices.

One of Terang’s notable book is ‘Mahatma Gandhi’ translated into ‘Karbi language‘, Rongbong Terang played an important role in the development and preservation of Karbi language literature by writing various books on diverse subjects like Karbi Introductory Exercises, Karbi Assamese Dictionary, Karbi Vcounting Book etc.

Rongbong Terang’s first published book is ‘Karbi Lamkur’ (1967). On the other hand, the first collection of stories published by Terang is ‘Bon Faringor Geet’ (1990). ‘Rangmili’s Hahi’, published in1981, is Terang’s  first novel. It was for this novel that Terang received the Assam Prakashan Parishad Award in 1983 and the Bishnuprasad Rabha Award of the Sahitya Sabha in 1982. Importantly, Terang’s Rangmilir Hahi, this novel is also translated into Hindi. In1957, the novel ‘Rangmilir Hahi’ was translated into Hindi by the National Book Trust as ‘Rangmili Ki Muskan’. The translator of this Hindi version is Nabarun Sharma. In addition, R. K. D. Film Productions also aired the story of Rongbong Terang’s Rangmili’s Hahi novel in 13 volumes by producing a series on Guwahati television in 2000. In one word, the much acclaimed Rongmilir Hahi novel is one of the most notable literary works in Assamese language of the ninth decade of the 20th century.

Apart from this, the notable books of Rongbong Terang are Karbi-Assamese Dictionary 1974, Samanway Prabah (1989) Krantikalar Ashru (2005), Jak Herowa Pakhi (2005), Neela Orchid (2001), Mirbin (2009), Langsoliator Kukrung (2007), Smriti Papori (1998) etc. Importantly, Rongbong Terang translated ‘Srimad Bhagawad Gita’ into Karbi language.

Apart from this, Rongbong Terang’s unpublished story collections are Bakul’s diary, Dhunia Khamor Sithikhan, the explosion.

Rongbong Terang served as president at the 70th Assam Sahitya Sabha session held in Dhemaji in 2009-10 and served as president at the 71^st session Assam Sahitya Sabha held at Dergaon in Golaghat district in 2011-12. Rongbong Terang also served as editor of the Karbi Sahitya Sabha from 1966 to 1983.

The key slogan of Rongbong Terang’s life is solidarity and harmony. Terang has been playing an important role in uniting  Assam and uniting the caste tribe to establish Assamese as a strong nation.

Rongbong Terang’s contribution to language literature is undeniable. The motto under his literary practice is ‘Manuhe Manuhar Babe’.

Conclusion

Importantly, Rongbong Terang, who was honoured with the Padma Shri, the highest civilian honour of the Government of India, had to go through various problems due to financial problems in his life. Interested towards studies  Terang had to spent money earned by him while working working as a woodworker for financial difficulties to study in college. His mother was an illiterate woman. Rongbong Terang’s simple lifestyle and life philosophy is an unprecedented example for Assam and he is the role model for the northern generation.

Rongbong Terang is a pride for Assam and Assamese who have made Assamese literature store rich with huge literary works.

FAQ

1. When and where was Rongbong Terang born?

Ans: Terang was born on January 13,1937 at Karbi Anglong, Assam.

2. When Rongbong Terang is awarded with Padma Shri Award?

Ans: He was awarded with Padma Shri Award in 1989.

3. Name the first published book by Rongbong Terang and when it was published?

Ans: Rongbong Terang’s first published book is ‘Karbi Lamkur’ published in 1967.

4. Name the first collection of stories by Terang and when it was published?

Ans: The first collection of stories published by Terang is ‘Bon Faringor Geet’ and was published in 1990. 

5. Name the first novel published by Terang.

Ans: The first novel published by Terang is Rongmilir Hahi published in 1981.

6. Name some of the notable books written by Rongbong Terang.

Ans: Some of the notable books written by Terang are – Karbi-Assamese Dictionary 1974, Samanway Prabah (1989) Krantikalar Ashru (2005), Jak Herowa Pakhi (2005), Neela Orchid (2001), Mirbin (2009), Langsoliator Kukrung (2007), Smriti Papori (1998) etc.

Dev Kirtonia

Hi, I’m Dev Kirtonia, Founder & CEO of Dev Library. A website that provides all SCERT, NCERT 3 to 12, and BA, B.com, B.Sc, and Computer Science with Post Graduate Notes & Suggestions, Novel, eBooks, Biography, Quotes, Study Materials, and more.