The Assam Sahitya Sabha announced on December 8 that a full statue of renowned language scholar Hemchandra Barua will be installed at its headquarters, Chandrakanta Handique Bhawan, in Jorhat. Sabha president Dr. Basanta Kumar Goswami emphasized that this initiative will proceed without financial backing from Barua’s family and highlighted the need for the state to finally recognize the contributions of this Assamese language reform pioneer.
This announcement coincided with the unveiling of a group song themed around Barua, held at Danbir Chandrakanta Handique Bhawan. The event was organized to commemorate the 125th anniversary of Hemkosh, Barua’s influential Assamese etymological dictionary, with the song set to be officially released on December 10. The piece was performed by Prasenjit Lahon and featured contributions from various artists.
During the unveiling, Dr. Goswami expressed concern over the government’s ongoing neglect of Barua’s legacy. “Actually, Hemchandra Barua’s family has kept him alive. Through their efforts, Hemkosh continues to be relevant. The Braille edition of Hemkosh produced by the family is a profound tribute to the scholar,” he stated. He remarked that all existing statues and initiatives honoring Barua have originated solely from his family, which he found disappointing.
He lamented, “It is unfortunate that the individual who tirelessly worked to revive the Assamese language hasn’t been acknowledged by the state government, even as the language was recognized among India’s cultural languages. This neglect is regrettable not just for Hemchandra Barua but for the entire Assamese community.”
In announcing the statue installation, Dr. Goswami noted, “On this auspicious occasion, we pay our respects to him through music, and soon, there will be a statue in the courtyard of Chandrakanta Handique Bhawan-the first one erected without any financial support from his family.”
Singer Prasenjit Lahon, who led the musical project, expressed gratitude to the Sabha for the opportunity. He revealed that the lyrics were penned by Dhrubajyoti Rajkhowa, with music composed by himself, and the audio mixed by Arup Dutta, while vocals were contributed by Ranjana Deka, Ashish Kashyap, and others. “I am hopeful the song will receive global recognition,” he added.
Original Source: https://assamtribune.com/assam/hemchandra-barua-statue-to-come-up-at-assam-sahitya-sabhas-jorhat-campus-1600526
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Publish Date: 2025-12-08 19:39:00
