Assam: Nilmani Phookan Jnanpith awardee dies at 90

Guwahati: Jnanpith awardee and eminent Assamese writer Nilmani Phookan died here on Thursday following complications related to long life, hospital sources said.

He was 90 years old.
Phookan is survived by his wife, two sons and a daughter.
The renowned writer was admitted to a local hospital on Wednesday after he complained of difficulty in breathing from where he was later shifted to Guwahati Medical College Hospital.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has expressed his deep sorrow over the death of the eminent poet.

“Kavya Rishi Nilmani Phookan was among the shining literary stars who have enriched Assamese literature and her contribution will always be remembered”, the CM said in a statement.
Sarma said his death has left a loss that will be difficult to fill and expressed his deepest condolences to the bereaved family.
The Chief Minister said that the last rites of Phookan will be performed with full official honours.

Phookan received the Jnanpith Award for the year 2021 for his overall contribution to the field of literature.

He is the third recipient of the Jnanpith Award in Assam after Birendranath Bhattacharya and Mamoni (Indira) Raisom Goswami.

He was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1981, the Padma Shri in 1990 and the Sahitya Akademi Fellowship in 2002 for his book of poems ‘Kobita’.

A retired college professor, he was also awarded D.Litt in 2019 by Dibrugarh University.
Author of several collections of poetry, his major works include ‘Phuli Thoka Suryamukhi Phuour Phale’ (For the Blooming Sunflower), ‘Golapi Jamur Lagna’ (Raspberry Moment), ‘Kobita’ (Poems), ‘Nartiyarata Prithivi’ ‘ Included. (Dance Ground)

Phookan, who was awarded the title of ‘Kaviya Rishi’, was born and brought up in Dergaon, Upper Assam, where nature, art and Indian classical music deeply influenced the poet.
Art, in particular, was very close to the poet’s heart and mind, leading him to study the state’s ancient and modern art forms in detail, as well as introducing the people of Assam to the various nuances of Indian and Western art. rent.

He was an art critic of repute who closely followed the works of artists in the state and encouraged them to experiment with different forms of art.