The 2025 birth anniversary of Xahityarathi Rasaraj Lakshminath Bezbaruah was celebrated with great enthusiasm across Sivasagar district, led by the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU). 

During the event, the Xahityarathi Rasaraj Lakshminath Bezbaruah Award 2025 was announced in honour of Dr. Pitambar Dev Goswami, Xatradhikar of Sri Sri Auniati Xatra and Chancellor of Auniati University, Teok, for his contributions to Assamese philosophy and cultural thought.

About Lakshminath Bezbaruah

  • Born: 1864, Ahatguri near Nagaon, Assam
  • Died: 26 March 1938, Dibrugarh, Assam
  • Father: Dinanath Bezbaruah (British Government official)
  • Education: Sibsagar Government High School → B.A. from General Assembly’s Institution, Calcutta → M.A. and B.L. from University of Calcutta
  • Spouse: Pragyasundari Devi (niece of Rabindranath Tagore)

Bezbaruah lived during the Jonaki Era, the period of Assamese literary renaissance, and emerged as a writer, humorist, dramatist, biographer, translator, historian, and reformer — a complete literary institution in himself.

Major Literary Contributions

Early Works

  • Debuted with the farce Litikai (1890) in Jonaki magazine.
  • Followed by Nomal, Paachoni, and Chikorpoti Nikorpoti — satirical plays known for social critique and humour.

Prose and Short Stories

  • First Assamese writer to introduce the short story form.
  • Collections: Surabhi, Xadhukothar Kuki, Jonbiri, Kehokoli.

Historical Dramas

  • Joymoti Konwari, Chakradhwaj Singha, Belimaar.
    • Joymoti inspired Assam’s first Assamese film, Joymoti (1935), by Jyotiprasad Agarwala.

Children’s Literature

  • Created Assamese children’s classics such as Burhi Aair Xadhu, Koka Deuta Aru Nati Lora, Bakhor, Junuka.

Biographies and Historical Works

  • Dinanath Bezbaruahar Xankhipto Jibon Charit, Shankardev, Sri Sri Sankardev Aru Sri Sri Madhabdev.
  • Translated Bharat Barbaruah Buronji (1906), showing historical insight.

Autobiography

  • Mur Jibon Suwaron — candidly narrates his life and his reflections on the Assamese society of his time.

“O Mur Apunar Desh” – The State Song of Assam

  • Written by Lakshminath Bezbaruah and tuned by Kamala Prasad Agarwala.
  • First published in 1909 in Banhi magazine.
  • Sung for the first time at Assam Chatra Sammilan, Tezpur (1927).
  • Officially adopted as the State Song of Assam in 2013.
  • Translated into the Mising language by linguist Tabu Taid.

Institution Building and Leadership

  • Founded the Assam Chatra Sammilan (1916) – first student organization in Assam.
  • Presided over the 7th session of Assam Sahitya Sabha (1924) at Guwahati.
  • Edited the Banhi Journal (1910–1935), a key literary platform of the Jonaki era.

Titles and Honours

  • 1931 (Sivasagar Session of Assam Sahitya Sabha):

    • Conferred the title “Rasaraj” (King of Humour) for his satirical works under the pseudonym Kripabar Borboruah.
    • Also addressed as “Sahityarathi” (Charioteer of Literature) — a title reflecting his versatile mastery across literary genres.
  • March 26 is observed annually by Assam Sahitya Sabha as Sahitya Divas in his memory.

Legacy and Influence

Bezbaruah’s writings played a revolutionary role in linguistic nationalism, revitalizing Assamese cultural pride during colonial subjugation. His works bridged literature, philosophy, and social reform — encouraging the Assamese people to reclaim their language, identity, and self-worth.

His cultural philosophy, humor, and devotion to neo-Vaishnavite ideals continue to inspire modern Assamese thought and the arts.

Mains Practice Question

  1. Discuss the contributions of Lakshminath Bezbaruah in shaping the Assamese literary and cultural renaissance. How did his writings help in fostering regional identity during colonial India?

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