Lakshmi Nandan Bora (15 June 1932 – 3 June 2021) was an Indian

novelist A novelist is an author or writer of novels, though often novelists also write in other genres of both fiction and non-fiction. Some novelists are professional novelists, thus make a living writing novels and other fiction, while others aspire to ...

and short story writer in the

Assamese language Assamese (), also Asamiya ( ), is an Indo-Aryan language spoken mainly in the north-east Indian state of Assam, where it is an official language, and it serves as a ''lingua franca'' of the wider region. The easternmost Indo-Iranian language, ...

, known for over 60 books he has authored, including award winning novels, ''Patal Bhairavi'' and ''Kayakalpa''. A recipient of

Sahitya Academy Award The Sahitya Akademi Award is a literary honour in India, which the Sahitya Akademi, India's National Academy of Letters, annually confers on writers of the most outstanding books of literary merit published in any of the 22 languages of the ...

and

Saraswati Samman The Saraswati Samman is an annual award for outstanding prose or poetry literary works in any of the 22 languages of India listed in Schedule VIII of the Constitution of India. It is named after the Hindu goddess of knowledge, Saraswati. The Saras ...

, Bora was honoured by the

Government of India The Government of India (ISO: ; often abbreviated as GoI), known as the Union Government or Central Government but often simply as the Centre, is the national government of the Republic of India, a federal democracy located in South Asia, c ...

in 2015 with

Padma Shri Padma Shri (IAST: ''padma śrī''), also spelled Padma Shree, is the fourth-highest Indian honours system, civilian award of the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan. Instituted on 2 January 1954, ...

, the fourth highest Indian civilian award. He died on 3 June 2021 from complications caused by

COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by a virus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first known case was COVID-19 pandemic in Hubei, identified in Wuhan, China, in December ...

Biography

Lakshmi Nandan Bora was born on 15 June 1932 at Hatichung of Kudijah village, a small hamlet in

Nagaon district Nagaon is an administrative district in the Indian state of Assam. At the time of the 2011 census it was the most populous district in Assam, before Hojai district was split from it in 2016. History Batadrowa gave birth to the Vaishnavite ...

in the Northeast Indian state of

Assam Assam (; ) is a state in northeastern India, south of the eastern Himalayas along the Brahmaputra and Barak River valleys. Assam covers an area of . The state is bordered by Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh to the north; Nagaland and Manipur ...

to Phuleswar Bora and Phuleswari as the youngest of their five children. His parents died while he was in his teens and he was brought up by his eldest brother, Kamal Chandra Bora. He did his schooling at Nagaon High School, graduated in Physics (BSc) from Cotton College State University, Guwahati and secured his master's degree (MSc) from

Presidency College, Kolkata Presidency University, Kolkata (formerly known as Presidency College, Kolkata) is a second major public state aided research university located in College Street, Kolkata. Considered as one of best colleges when Presidency College was affili ...

. He pursued doctoral studies in

meteorology Meteorology is a branch of the atmospheric sciences (which include atmospheric chemistry and physics) with a major focus on weather forecasting. The study of meteorology dates back millennia, though significant progress in meteorology did not ...

Andhra University Andhra University (IAST: ''Āndhra Vișvakalāpariṣhat'') is a public university located in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India. It was established in 1926. History King Vikram Deo Verma, the Maharaja of Jeypore was one of the biggest do ...

from where he secured a PhD, the first person to be awarded a doctoral degree in meteorology by the university. For most of his career he worked at

Assam Agricultural University Assam Agricultural University (AAU) is an agricultural education state university which was established on 1 April 1969 in Jorhat in the state of Assam, India. The jurisdiction of the university extends to the entire State of Assam with regard ...

, Jorhat as a faculty member and stayed with the institution till his retirement as a professor and the head of the department of physics and agrometeorology in 1992. He has also served as a visiting professor at the

Johannes Gutenberg University The Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (german: Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz) is a public university, public research university in Mainz, Rhineland Palatinate, Germany, named after the printer Johannes Gutenberg since 1946. With approx ...

for two terms. Bora married Madhuri in 1961 and the couple has one daughter Seuji and two sons Tridib Nandan and Swaroop Nandan. The family lives in

Ganeshguri Ganeshguri is locality in Guwahati, Assam, is named after lord Ganesh, also known as Heramba. There was a Heramba kingdom. There is also a Ganesh Temple located in its southern part. Situated in capital complex of Guwahati city, it is a major com ...

, a satellite town of Guwahati, Assam. Seuji Bora Neog is a Professor of Genetics and Plantbreeding at Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Tridib Nandan Bora is a Senior State Government Official while the youngest son Swaroop Nandan is a Professor of Mathematics at Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati. Lakshmi Nandan Borah died on 3 June 2021 at the age of 88.

Literary and social career

Bora wrote his first short story, ''Bhaona'', in 1954, which was published in Assamese magazine, Ramdhenu. His first book, ''Dristirupa'' was published in 1958 and the next one, ''Nishar Purabhi'' in 1962. He published his first novel, ''Gonga Silonir Pakhi'', in 1963, which is reported to have earned critical acclaim, has been translated into 11 languages and was made into a film, under the same name, by Padum Baruah in 1976. The succeeding years saw him active in the political milieu of Assam and was arrested once, in 1981, under the National Security Act. His novel, ''Akou Saraighat'', written during this time and published in 1980, reflects his political leanings to a certain measure. He also founded a weekly, ''Rangpur'', and stayed as its editor till 1996 when he resigned from the post, reportedly due to ideological differences with the owner of the publication. Two more novels, ''Matit Meghar Chaan'' (1970) and ''Bishesh Eraati'' (1979) and a short story anthology, ''Sehi Anuraga'' (1983) followed before he published his novel, ''Patal Bhairavi'' in 1986 which won the

in 1988. Two novels were published next, ''Kal Dingare Pal'' in 1988 and ''Matsya Kanya'' in 1995 followed by ''Preyashi'' (1996 - short story anthology), ''Jaa Keri Naahike Upaam'' and ''Sehi Gunanidhi'' (1997 - novel), the latter two inspired by the lives of

Sankardev Srimanta Sankardev( শ্ৰীমন্ত শংকৰদেৱ )(; ; 1449–1568) was a 15th–16th century Assamese polymath; a saint-scholar, poet, playwright, dancer, actor, musician, artist social-religious reformer and a figure of im ...

and his disciple,

Madhavdev Madhavdev (1489–1596) (Pron: ˈʃrɪ ˈʃrɪ ˈmɑ:dəbˌdeɪv) is an important preceptor of the Ekasarana Dharma known for his loyalty to his guru, Srimanta Sankardev as well as his artistic brilliance. Initially a sakta worshipper, he was ...

, renowned Assamese saint-scholars. In 2008, he published ''Kayakalpa'', which won the

from

K. K. Birla Foundation The K.K. Birla Foundation was established in 1991 by Krishna Kumar Birla in Delhi. Its mission is to promote literature (especially Hindi literature) and the arts, as well as education and social work. It regularly gets mentioned in the media for ...

. The work has since been translated into 22 Indian languages as well as into English by Biman Arandhara. Lakshmi Nandan Bora has written a number of plays and books on agriculture and environment, taking his publications to a total of 60 books, composed of twenty nine novels and twenty six short story anthologies. His short stories, 75 selected ones, have been compiled under the name, ''Lakshminandan Borar Charita Dasakar Galpa Samagra''. His published autobiography ''Kal Balukat Khoj'' was also serialized in the Assamese fortnightly,

Prantik ''Prantik'' is a multi-topic Assamese language magazine published fortnightly from Guwahati since 1981. It plays a vital role in the socio-political lives of the people of Assam, India. The founding chief editor of the magazine was Bhabendran ...

. His other current projects are two books, one on

Hem Chandra Baruah Hemchandra Barua ( as, হেমচন্দ্ৰ বৰুৱা; ''Hêmsôndrô Bôruwa''), also known as Hem Barua was a prominent writer, social reformer of Assamese of the 19th century. He hailed from Sibsagar District of Assam. His fat ...

, renowned lexicographer and social reformer and the other, on

Lakshminath Bezbaroa ' Lakshminath Bezbarua (, 14 October 1864), was an Assamese poet, novelist and playwright of modern Assamese literature. He was one of the literary stalwarts of the Jonaki Era, the age of romanticism in Assamese literature when through his e ...

, a known Assamese literary figure. He has served as the president of

Assam Sahitya Sabha The Asam Sahitya Sabha (; Literary Society of Assam) is a non Government, non profit, literary organisation of Assam. It was founded in December 1917 in Assam, India to promote the culture of Assam and Assamese literature. A branch of the organi ...

(1996–97) and as a member of the Planning Commission of Assam. He has also been the chairman of the Assam Pollution Control Board during the period 1997 - 2003 and served as the editor of

Goriyoshi ''Gariyoshi'' (গৰীয়সী) is an Assamese language monthly literary magazine published by the Sahitya-Prakash, Tribune Building, Guwahati Guwahati (, ; formerly rendered Gauhati, ) is the biggest city of the Indian state of As ...

, an Assamese monthly literary magazine.

Bibliography

Some of the selected publications of Bora are: *Sei Surey Utola

960 Year 960 ( CMLX) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events By place Byzantine Empire * Summer – Siege of Chandax: A Byzantine fleet with an expeditionary force (co ...

--Story *Kashiyolir Kuwoli

961 Year 961 ( CMLXI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events By place Byzantine Empire * March 6 – Siege of Chandax: Byzantine forces under Nikephoros II Phokas cap ...

-Story *Gopon Godhuli

-Story *Gouri Ruupok

-Story *Mon Mati Megh

962 Year 962 ( CMLXII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events By place Byzantine Empire * December – Arab–Byzantine wars – Sack of Aleppo: A Byzantine e ...

-Story *Ashiin Koina

963 Year 963 ( CMLXIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events By place Byzantine Empire * March 15 – Emperor Romanos II dies at age 25, probably of poison admini ...

-Story *Aei Roop Aei Chanda

-Story *Dahan Dulori 965-Story *Kothin Maya

966 Year 966 (Roman numerals, CMLXVI) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events By place Byzantine Empire * 23 June - Arab-Byzantine Wars, Byzantine-Arab War: Arab-Byzantine ...

-Story *Debotar Byadhi

-Story *Majot Trisharey Noi 967--Story *Byotikrom[1976-Story *Nishiddha_Chetona[1976.html" ;"title="976.html" ;"title="967--Story *Byotikrom[1976">967--Story *Byotikrom[1976-Story *Nishiddha Chetona[1976">976.html" ;"title="967--Story *Byotikrom[1976">967--Story *Byotikrom[1976-Story *Nishiddha Chetona[1976-Story *Arabarir Lecheri[1983]--Story *Doostor Karagar[2002]--Story *Preyoshi

993 Year 993 ( CMXCIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events By place Europe * Spring – The 12-year-old King Otto III gives the Sword of Saints Cosmas and Damian ...

-Anthology *Mon Birikhor Jokh[2001]--Story *Mukta Poorush[2002]--Story *Mon Mati Piriti

-Story *Aalakh Khorikajai 006-Story *Basonti Bashona 017-Story *Saa Jueir Pohorot

-Novel *Shikhar Surobhi

968 Year 968 ( CMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events By place Byzantine Empire * Emperor Nikephoros II receives a Bulgarian embassy led by Prince Boris (th ...

-Novel *Meghali Doopor

-Novel *Bolookat Bijuli

969 Year 969 ( CMLXIX) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar, the 969th year of the Common Era (CE) and ''Anno Domini'' (AD) designations, the 969th year of the 1st millennium, the 69th ...

-Novel *Amtit Meghor Saa

970 Year 970 ( CMLXX) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar, the 970th year of the Common Era (CE) and ''Anno Domini'' designations, the 970th year of the 1st millennium, the 70th yea ...

-Novel *Uttor Poorush

-Novel *Poton

979 Year 979 ( CMLXXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events By place Byzantine Empire * March 24 – Second Battle of Pankaleia: An Ibero-Byzantine expeditionary ...

-Novel *Radhikaput Aruu Malakhsmi Niketan

982 Year 982 ( CMLXXXII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events By place Europe * Summer – Emperor Otto II (the Red) assembles an imperial expeditionary force at Tara ...

-Novel *Ghatok Polatok

985 Year 985 ( CMLXXXV) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events By place Europe * Summer – Henry II (the Wrangler) is restored as duke of Bavaria by Empress Theoph ...

-Novel *Protirodh 987-Novel *Biponna Bismoi 988-Novel *Ganeshguri 988-Novel *Nayak Adhinayak

992 Year 992 ( CMXCII) was a leap year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events By place Worldwide * Winter – A superflare from the sun causes an Aurora Borealis, with visibility as fa ...

-Novel *Hiyat Tirebirai

-Novel *Meghot Madol Baje

999 999 or triple nine most often refers to: * 999 (emergency telephone number), a telephone number for the emergency services in several countries * 999 (number), an integer * AD 999, a year * 999 BC, a year Books * ''999'' (anthology) or ''999: T ...

-Novel *Shoturongo

003 003, O03, 0O3, OO3 may refer to: *003, fictional British 00 Agent *003, former emergency telephone number for the Norwegian ambulance service (until 1986) *1990 OO3, the asteroid 6131 Towen * OO3 gauge model railway *''O03 (O2)'' and other related ...

-Novel *Tejoshini

-Novel *Goti Moti Bhokoti 005-Novel *Shehi Shobyoshashi 014-Novel *Pochimor Pom Khedi

991 Year 991 (Roman numerals, CMXCI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events * March 1: In Rouen, Pope John XV ratifies the first Peace and Truce of God, Truce of God, between ...

-Travelogue *Joraloga Germany

-Travelogue *Shimar Poridhi Bhangi

997 Year 997 (Roman numerals, CMXCVII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events By place Japan * 1 February: Empress Teishi gives birth to Princess Shushi - she is the first ...

-Travelogue *Shipurir Achoni

-Drama *Akanko Jugol

972 Year 972 ( CMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events By place Byzantine Empire * Spring – Emperor John I Tzimiskes divides the Bulgarian territories, recent ...

-Drama *Swamy Bibekananda

-Biography *Sonkordev:Ati Mohajibon

-Biography *Mahapoorush Madhabdeb

-Biography *Kal Bolukat Khoj 010-Autobiography * Dristirupa (1958) - anthology * Nishar Purabi (1962) - anthology * Gonga Silonir Pakhi (1963) - novel * Aabesh Indrajal (1967) - anthology * Matit Meghar Chaan (1970) - anthology * Bishesh Eraati (1979) - novel * Akou Saraighat (1980) - novel * Jaa Keri Naahike Upaam * Sehi Anuraga (1983) - anthology * Patal Bhairavi (1986) - novel * Kal Dingarare Pal (1988) - novel * Matsya Kanya (1995) - novel * Preyashi (1996) - anthology * Sehi Gunanidhi (1997) - novel * Ganga Cheel Ke Pankh (2003) - novel * Kayakalpa (2008) - novel * Lakshminandan Borar Charita Dasakar Galpa Samagra — short story anthology

Awards and recognitions

Bora received the

in 1988 for his novel, ''Patal Bhairavi'' and the Assam Valley Literary Award in 2004. His novel, ''Kayakalpa'' fetched him the

instituted by the

in 2008 and in 2012, Assam Publication Board honoured him with the Lifetime Achievement Award. The

included him for the Republic Day honours list, in 2015, for the civilian honour of

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Bora, Lakshmi Nandan Recipients of the Padma Shri in literature & education 1932 births 2021 deaths People from Nagaon district Novelists from Assam Indian male novelists Indian male short story writers Recipients of the Sahitya Akademi Award in Assamese Recipients of the Saraswati Samman Award Cotton College, Guwahati alumni Andhra University alumni 20th-century Indian short story writers 20th-century Indian novelists 20th-century Indian male writers Deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic in India