Dr. Sheela Borthakur who has been closely associated with the establishment of the All-Assam Writers’ Convention Committee and known as the founding president of Sadou Asom Lekhika Samaroh Samity (SALSS) (All Assam Writer’s Convention Commitee), is a great woman of Assam. She served as the president of the organization for three terms, 1974, to 1976, 1990 to 1992 and 1993 to 1994 and as its general secretary for two terms, from 1976 to 1990. Sheela Borthakur is a unique figure in the art world of Assam. This noble woman is also known in the society as an academician and a distinguished writer, litterateur. Sheela Borthakur is a social worker who has been awarded with Padma Shri. Apart from this, she is an accomplished singer as well as a dancer and actress.
Biography of Sheela Borthakur
| Name | Sheela Borthakur[1] |
| Date of Birth | 1935 |
| Place of Birth | Jorhat, Assam |
| Father’s Name | Nabin Sharma |
| Mother’s Name | Pritiata Devi |
| Husband | Saranan Borthakur |
| Profession | Professor, Social Worker |
| Death | June 21, 2020; Bamunimaidam, Guwahati (Assam) |
Early life of Sheela Borthakur
Dr. Sheela Borthakur was born in 1935 in Charangia Village, Jorhat district of Assam, India. She was born into Nabin Sharma and Pritilata Devi. Her childhood was spent at Dhaka, Bangladesh. Sheela Borthakur’s primary education started in Bangladesh but later passed the matriculation examination from girls’ higher secondary school in Jorhat. She then completed her later education at Jagannath Barooah College in Jorhat and earned her bachelor’s degree from there. Sheela Borthakur then got married to dancer Saranan Borthakur. Soon after getting married, she started her career as a teacher at the Government Higher Secondary Girls’ School in Tezpur, but continued her studies to secure master’s and doctoral degrees. Sheela Borthakur, who was particularly fond of singing and dancing, received the title of “Sangeet Visharad” in 1961 after getting first class in Sitar from Bhatkhande Vidyapith in Lucknow.
Also Read: Biography of Santwana Bordoloi
Career
While she was engaged in the profession of teaching, Borthakur received her master’s degree. Subsequently, she was able to get an honorary doctorate degree (PHD) in 1993, researching on her thesis “Social Changes of Assam.” Later, she joined Darrang College as a professor of philosophy and worked there till her superannuation from service. Then she joined as a founder principal in Gopinath Bordoloi Women’s College, the first women’s college established in Tezpur in 1979. While teaching at Darrang College, Sheela Borthakur dreamt of opening a women’s literary organisation in Assam for Assamese women. Therefore, in 1974, she formed the Sadou Asom Lekhika Samaroah Samity (All Assam Writer’s Convention Committee) for the social and cultural upliftment of the writers of Assam. She also arranged for five separate education programmes in Tezpur for women who dropped out of their studies at an early age. She also took over the responsibility of editing three books of noble women like Nalinibala Devi, Dharmeshwari Devi Baruani and Sneh Devi. Borthakur was awarded the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award of the Government of India, in 2008 for her social service contributions.
Sheila Borthakur has also made an outstanding contribution to the world of literature. Sheila Borthakur’s eight books are “Vision and Parable”, “In Search of Culture”, “Woman in the Eyes of the Writer”, “Saraswat”; The story books are – “Ananya”, “Antara”, and “Letter to Grandmother”. She also edited a total of nine books. One of the travelogues of Sheela Borthakur is- “Applanta” and “Bhraman Vithika”. On the other hand, the books edited in various fields include- “Thirteen Issues of the Author”, “The First Volume of the Author’s Biography”, “Part II of the Author’s Biography”, “Sambhar, composed by Dharmeshwari Devi of Kavya Bharati”, “Mahasweta”, “Nalinibala Devi’s Composition Sambhar”, “The Author’s Bibliography”,”Ruptirtha””Arghaya” and “Drishadvati”.
Among the special honors and privileges, she received during her lifetime were the literary pension of the Government of Assam in 2003. Again in 2004, she received the title of “Karmaprana” from the Jorhat’s Sadou Asom Lekhika Samaroh Samiti. In 2005, she was again honoured with the title of “Tejaswini” from Tezpur’s Sadou Asom Lekhika Samaroh Samiti. In 2005, The Asom Sahitya Sabha presented her the “Basanti Bordoloi Award”.
Conclusion
Sheela Borthakur, who has been passionate about dance songs and acting since childhood, acted in the play “Marjiana” as a student. She also lent her voice to an audible cassette called “Fagune Uloti Sai”. She was also honoured for performing a dance play she had composed at a cultural programme of the Asom Sahitya Sabha held in Tezpur in 1968. On June 21, 2020, at the age of 84, she passed away in Guwahati due to prolonged illness.
FAQs
1. When and where was Sheela Borthakur born?
Ans: Dr. Sheela Borthakur was born in 1935 in Charangia Village, Jorhat district of Assam, India.
2. What is the father’s and mother’s name of Sheela Borthakur?
Ans: Her father’s name is Nabin Sharma and mother’s name is Pritilata Devi.
3. In which year did Sheela Borthakur established Sadou Asom Lekhika Samaroh Samiti (All Assam Writer’s Convention Committee).
Ans: In 1974, Borthakur established Sadou Asom Lekhek Samaroh Samiti (Assam Writer’s Convention Committee).
4. When did Sheela Borthakyr received the title of Karmaprana?
Ans: In 2004, Borthakur received the title of Karmaprana.
5. When was Sheela Borthakur was awarded with Padma Shri Award?
Ans: In 2008, Borthakur was awarded the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award of the Government of India, for her social service contributions.
6. When and where did Sheela Borthakur died?
Ans: On June 21, 2020, at the age of 84, Borthakur passed away in Guwahati due to prolonged illness.
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