Assam Poets Honored at Historic Tagore University Event

A century after their births, two of Assam's most beloved cultural icons are getting a special tribute at one of India's most historic universities.

The Raul Kaushik Nath Foundation announced that Monkobita, their annual poetry celebration, will honor Bhupen Hazarika and Navakanta Barua on February 13 at Visva-Bharati University in Santiniketan, West Bengal. Both cultural figures would have turned 100 this year.

Hazarika, known as the Bard of Brahmaputra, was a singer, composer, filmmaker, and poet whose work championed humanity and social justice. His songs transcended regional boundaries, and he spent years living and working in Kolkata during the 1950s, where he collaborated with Bengali artists and enriched the city's vibrant music scene.

Barua, affectionately called "the little big brother," was a celebrated poet and novelist who became one of Assam's leading Tagore scholars. He studied at Visva-Bharati University from 1943 to 1947, earning his English degree while absorbing the cultural and literary traditions championed by Tagore himself.

The choice of venue carries deep meaning. Visva-Bharati, founded by Tagore, became the place where Barua's humanist perspective took shape and where Hazarika's universal message found fertile ground.

This year's event features two parts: an academic session at Bhasha Bhavana and a cultural program at Lipika Auditorium. Attendees will enjoy poetry recitations, songs, and dances celebrating both artists' legacies.

The Ripple Effect

Monkobita represents just one branch of the foundation's year-round commitment to preserving Assamese culture. The organization hosts Mongeet for musicians, Montulika for painters, workshops on traditional cuisine, and even summer music camps for school children.

By partnering with Visva-Bharati's Department of Assamese and the Bhupen Hazarika Cultural Trust, the foundation ensures these cultural treasures reach new audiences. The event brings together students, scholars, and artists who might otherwise never encounter these influential voices.

The foundation's curators include actor Adil Hussain and other cultural leaders who understand that keeping artistic traditions alive requires active, creative celebration.

A hundred years after their births, Hazarika and Barua's words and melodies continue shaping how people understand humanity, unity, and the power of art to bridge divides.