Assamese Cultural Icons Bhupen Hazarika and Navakanta Barua to be Honored at Monkobita 2026
The sixth edition of the cultural program 'Monkobita' will be held at Visva-Bharati University in Santiniketan on February 13. This year's event holds special significance as it pays tribute to two monumental figures in Assamese culture: Bharat Ratna Bhupen Hazarika and pioneering litterateur Navakanta Barua. The celebration coincides with the birth centenary of both icons, whose works continue to profoundly shape Assamese literature and music.
Monkobita: A Tribute to Legendary Poets
Monkobita is an annual initiative organized every February by the Raul Kaushik Nath Foundation. Since its inception in 2021, the program has been dedicated to honoring the rich literary and cultural heritage established by Assam's legendary poets. This year's edition, Monkobita 2026, is being organized in collaboration with the Department of Assamese at Bhasha Bhavana, Visva-Bharati University, and the Bhupen Hazarika Cultural Trust.
Veteran theatre and film activist Nayan Prasad emphasized the event's importance. "Monkobita 2026 is particularly significant as it commemorates the birth centenaries of both icons, celebrating their enduring influence on literature, music, and the Assamese cultural consciousness," he stated.
The Bard of Brahmaputra: Bhupen Hazarika's Multifaceted Legacy
Bhupen Hazarika, revered as the 'Bard of Brahmaputra', was a remarkably versatile creative force. His contributions spanned multiple artistic domains:
- Composer and singer
- Filmmaker and lyricistPoet and cultural visionary
Prasad highlighted Hazarika's significant connection to West Bengal. "While rooted in Assam, his artistic journey found a parallel home in West Bengal. From the 1950s onwards, Kolkata became a major creative base for him, fostering lasting collaborations with Bengali artists and enriching the region's musical landscape," he explained.
This Bengal connection represented a confluence of cultures that allowed Hazarika's messages of unity, humanism, and social justice to resonate far beyond the northeastern region of India.
Navakanta Barua: Pillar of Modern Assamese Literature
Navakanta Barua, affectionately known as Ekhud Kokaideu, remains a central figure in modern Assamese literature. Poet Bipuljyoti Saikia detailed Barua's extensive literary contributions:
- Poetry and novels
- Essays and translations
- Children's literature
Barua was also a respected Tagore scholar whose academic journey began at Visva-Bharati University in 1943. He completed his BA in English in 1947, and his formative years at Santiniketan deeply influenced his worldview.
"His years at Santiniketan deeply influenced his worldview; the institution's emphasis on cultural fusion, artistic freedom, and literary exploration shaped his poetic voice and humanist philosophy," Saikia noted.
Event Structure and Cultural Significance
Monkobita 2026 will feature both academic and cultural sessions that explore the legacies of these two cultural giants. The event serves as a platform to:
- Examine their artistic contributions in depth
- Celebrate their impact on Assamese cultural identity
- Foster appreciation for their humanist philosophies
- Highlight the interconnectedness of Assamese and Bengali cultural traditions
The celebration at Visva-Bharati University represents a meaningful convergence of geographical and cultural spaces, honoring how both Hazarika and Barua transcended regional boundaries through their artistic excellence and universal messages.
