Asam Sahitya Sabha celebrates ‘Sugandhi Pokhilar Din’

Tezpur: The Asam Sahitya Sabha commemorated the 93rd birth anniversary of eminent Assamese poet Hiren Bhattacharyya, fondly known as “Hiru-da,” by organizing ‘Sugandhi Pokhilar Din’ on Monday at the Neha Agarwala Hall, Bhagawati Prasad Barua Bhawan, the Sabha’s headquarter in Guwahati. Inaugurating the event, Asam Sahitya Sabha President Dr. Basanta Kumar Goswami paid rich tribute to Bhattacharyya, remarking, “Hiru-da’s life was only poetry, poetry, and poetry. He was a profoundly gifted, natural poet. Poetry is not something written in an instant; it demands devotion, study, and deep practice. Above all, a poet must remain humble, free from arrogance.” The event, organized under the aegis of the Kabi Sanmilan Upasamiti of Asam Sahitya Sabha featured a day-long tribute of poetry recitations, speeches, and reminiscences dedicated to the beloved ‘Poet of Love and Sunshine.’ Delivering the welcome address, Sabha Principal Secretary Debojit Bora observed, “By honuoring Hiru-da today, the Asam Sahitya Sabha also honuors the wider world of Assamese poets and literature inspired by his legacy.” Eminent Poet Anis Uz Zaman, serving as the chief guest, reflected on Bhattacharyya’s enduring impact, stating, “Commemorations such as this will hold their true value only when another poet like Hiru-da is born in Assam.” Distinguished poet, artist, and physician Dr. Neelima Thakuria Haque, who was entrusted the responsibility of the Working President of the Kabi Sanmilan Upasamiti during the event, shared fond memories of Bhattacharyya, recalling, “He was a simple soul who embraced life’s aesthetic joys. I vividly remember spending a rainy night in Karbi Anglong with Hiru-da and sculptor Biren Sinha, in a modest home filled with camaraderie. Hiru-da could stay in five-star hotels, yet he cherished nights spent in rain-soaked huts.” The programme, moderated by Harendra Bora, Vice-President of the Kabi Sanmilan Upasamiti, began with a lighting of ceremonial lamp by Manoj Kumar Das, Vice-President of the Kabi Sanmilan Upasamiti. The entire programme was hosted by Convenor of Kabi Sanmilan Upasamiti Naba Rajan while Assistant Convenor Pradip Chandra Sarma offered a vote of thanks. Over sixty distinguished poets representing district branches of the Asam Sahitya Sabha from Karbi Anglong, West Karbi Anglong, Baksa, Sonitpur, Darrang, Dhemaji, Bajali, Sivasagar, Morigaon, Hojai, Kamrup (Metropolitan and Rural), Goalpara, Bongaigaon, and Nalbari participated, reciting Hiren Bhattacharyya’s poetry and enlivening the gathering.