Birendra Nath Datta

Birendra Nath Datta

Birendra Nath Datta & his wife Ibha Baruah
Born (1935-03-01) March 1, 1935
Nagaon, Assam
Academic work
Main interests Folklore
Notable works Cultural Contours of Northeast India

Birendra Nath Datta (Assamese: বীৰেন্দ্ৰনাথ দত্ত; born March 1, 1935) is an Indian academician, a researcher of folklore, a singer and lyricists of Assam. In his career, he mainly worked as a professor in different colleges of Assam.[1][2] He also wrote scholarly books. In 2009, he was awarded the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award, in the "Literature and Education" field[3] and in 2010 he received the Jagaddhatri-Harmohan Das Literary award. Datta was elected as the president of Asom Sahitya Sabha for North Lakhimpur Session, 2003 and Hojai Session, 2004[4]

Early life

Datta was born on 1 March 1935 at Nagaon, Assam to Kalpanath Datta, a school teacher and Mandakini Datta. Their original home is in Panara village, near Baihata Chariali.

He started his education at Cenikuthi L.P. School at Guwahati and then studied at Goalpara. In 1933 Datta secured ranks among the top 10 in both Matriculation and I.Sc examinations under Gauhati University. Then he came to Visva Bharati, Santiniketan to study Bachelor of Arts and later studied Master of Arts from Gauhati University in Economics.[1]

Career

In 1957, Datta started his career as a lecturer at B. Barooah College. In 1964, he joined Pramathesh Barua College at Gauripur in lower Assam as the founder principal. He worked as the principal in two other colleges as well, which were named Goalpara College and Pandu College.[1]

In 1974, he obtained his Ph.D degree in folklore under the supervision of Prafulladatta Goswami.[1]

In 1979 he joined Gauhati University as a reader and there he also became the Head of the Department of Folklore Research. He retired from Gauhati University in 1995. But, upon request, he again joined Tezpur University as a professor in the department of Traditional Culture and Art Forms.[1]

Literary career

Datta also wrote a number of scholarly books. One of his books, Cultural Contours of Northeast India, was published by Oxford University Press.[2] For his book Sankar Madhavar Manisha Aru Asomar Sanaskritic Uttaradhikar, he won the 12th Jagaddhatri-Harmohan Das Literary award.[5]

Music career

Datta was also a singer and lyricists of Assam. In 1961, his two gramophone records were released by HMV that contained previously released popular songs by him.[6] He also continued singing for the radio which had made him popular among the listeners of Assam. Some unforgettable songs sung by Birendra Nath Datta are - "Monor Khobar", "Bahudin Bokulor Gondh Poa Naai", "Meli Dilo Man", "Rohimalaa Uronir Maajere", "Sou Sirish Daalat", "Tomaar Kaarane Jaau", "Aahinak Kone Anane", "Mou Daaponar", "Sita Banabaash", "Bogoli Bogaa Phot Di Ja", "Jilir Maate", "O Ghan Chirikaa", "Barashaa Tomaar", "Aakaashe Botaahe", "Aakaash Aamaak Akani Aakaash Diya " etc. He also sang song for an Assamese language film, Smrtir Parash, which was directed by Brojen Barua.[6]

Awards

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Music Not Solely For Entertainment". Retrieved 11 March 2013.
  2. 1 2 "Cultural Contours of North-East India". Oxford University Press. Archived from the original on 12 March 2012. Retrieved 11 March 2013.
  3. 1 2 "Padma awards 2009". Retrieved 13 March 2013.
  4. ↑ "List of Asam Sahitya Sabha presidents". Retrieved December 7, 2012.
  5. 1 2 "Dr Birendra Nath Datta conferred literary award". Assam Tribune. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 11 March 2013.
  6. 1 2 "Birendranath Datta". srimanta.net. Retrieved 2013-04-07.
  7. ↑ "Padma Awards Directory (1954–2009)" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-05-10.
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