The President of India Droupadi Murmu conferred Padma Shri to Joynacharan Bathari and Prof. Anil Kumar Boro, from Assam, in the field of Art during Civil Investiture Ceremony in New Delhi today.
Brief citation about the life and work of the awardees are given below :
Joynacharan Bathari
Joynacharan Bathari, a retired Govt. servant of Sub Divisional office Haflong is well known for traditional folk music in Dima Hasao. He had a passion to bring the folk music and traditional instruments of Dimasa Community in the lime light of the country for which he worked very hard with dedication.
Born on 1st July 1940 at Jorai Bathari village in Dima Hasao district of Assam (earlier North Cachar Hills), Bathari from an early age devoted himself to Dimasa Folk music. His hard work and sincerity made him a singer and by virtue of this he has been invited to perform several programmes in AIR Silchar, AIR Haflong, AIR Dibrugarh & AIR Shillong.
He has also performed stage programmes in various places at Haflong, Maibang, Silchar, Agartala, Umrangsho, Diphu, Guwahati and even at National Capital Delhi. Besides singing, he is acquainted with the Dimasa traditional musical instruments as well. He is well versed in playing the “Khram”(Drum) and “Muri”(Flute). He has been representing the district in various Cultural Meet held in other N.E. States. For his activities in Cultural field, he has been awarded by various NGOs of Dima Hasao district.
Bathari retired from service on 31st October 1998. Even after that, he has been leading an active social life. He worked as Mouzadar w.e.f. 2001 to 2007 of Haflong Mauza. He also worked as Khunang (Gaon Bura) of Sainza razi for 22 (twenty two years) w.e.f. 1987 to 2001 and 2012 to 2020 and he also worked as Assistant Khunang (Gaon Bura) w.e.f. 1979 to 1987. Even after retirement he rendered his services as a priest of the Dimasa community day in and out and he was associated with NGO “Jadikhe Naisho Hoshom” (The Dimasa Apex Body). He is well versed with Dimasa customs and rituals. Even at this age of 84, he continues to sing and entertain.
Bathari was conferred the coveted Pratima Baruah Pandey memorial award for the year 2013 by All Assam Student Union (AASU) for playing a pivotal role in popularising the Dimasa traditional and folk culture. Shri Bathari was also awarded Life Time Achievement Award in the year 2018 by Akhil Bharat Hindu Sammelan, Assam. He also got Johaya Bathari award in the same year by Bathari Sengphong Mel.
Prof. Anil Kumar Boro
Prof. Anil Kumar Boro is an eminent poet, folklorist, translator, academician and literary critic, who has made significant contributions to the growth and development of Bodo literature, folklore and culture. Currently, he is serving as the Head of the Department of Folklore Research at Gauhati University, where he continues to inspire and mentor scholars in the field.
Born on 9th December, 1961, in Kahitama near Manas National Park, Assam, Prof. Boro completed his Master’s degree from the Department of English, Gauhati University, and later earned his Ph.D. from the Folklore Research Department. He began his academic career as a Lecturer in English at Dimoria College in 1988 before joining the Folklore Research Department at Gauhati University in 2000.
Prof. Boro has authored and edited over 30 books spanning multiple literary genres, including poetry, literary criticism, novels, children’s literature, travelogues, and folklore studies. His landmark books, such as Folk Literature of the Bodos: An Introduction, A History of Bodo Literature, The Flute and the Harp, Delphini Onthai Mwdai Arw Guhun Crubun Khonthai and have been instrumental in shaping modem Bodo literary discourse. His translated works from other languages, have introduced world literature to Bodo readers, bridging cultural and literary gaps. As an editor, he has played a crucial role in curating significant literary anthologies and journals, including The Bodo Quarterly, Journal of Folklorists and Thunslai, an online journal of translation.
Beyond his literary contributions, Prof. Boro has worked extensively for die promotion of mother tongue education and the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in Bodoland. He has actively contributed to literary organizations, including the Bodo Sahitya Sabha and has been instrumental in organizing the Kokrajhar Literary Festival since 2021. His participation in national and international conferences has helped bring Bodo literature and folklore to global platforms, representing India in academic and literary forums across Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Denmark and China. He has participated in various National and International programmes and conferences.
For his contributions to Bodo literature and folklore, Prof. Boro has been honored with tire prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award (2012), Rangsar Literary Award and the Sahitya Sadhana Botha (2024).
