Guwahati: Jnanpith awardee veteran Assamese poet Nilamoni Phukan passed away this morning at Gauhati medical college hospital in the city. The celebrated litterateur was approaching 90. The soft-spoken gentleman was not feeling well for some time and finally the breathed his last at 11.55 am on 19 January 2023.
The third Assamese writer to receive Jnanpith Award (after novelist Birendra Kumar Bhattacharya and Ramayani scholar Mamoni Raisom Goswami) last year in the city, Phukan is also known for visual art appreciation & criticism. He was also honoured with Padma Shri, Assam Valley Literary Award, Sahitya Akademi and Sahitya Akademi Fellowship.
Born at Dergaon in eastern Assam on 10 September 1933, Phukan used to teach literature at Arya Vidyapeeth College in the city. He also translated many Japanese and European poems into Assamese. Some of his notable literary works include ‘Surya Heno Naami Aahe Ei Nodiyedi’, ‘Kabita’, ‘Manas-Pratima’, ‘Phuli Thoka Suryamukhi Phultor Phale’, ‘Golapi Jamur Lagna’, etc.
Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal were the first among to condole his demise. Following Phukan’s wish, his mortal remains were not brought to any places for public mourning except his residence at Durga Sarobar locality in the city. The cremation was performed at Bhootnath with the State honours in presence of a small, distinguished gathering.
Jnanpith awardee poet Nilamoni Phukan passes away
