Phukan, who is the third litterateur from the state to be selected for the prestigious award after Birendra Kumar Bhattacharya and Mamoni Raisam Goswami, was showered with congratulatory messages from a cross section of people, including Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
When Mamoni Raisam (Indira Goswami) received the award in 2001, she had said during an interview that the next Jnanpith award would go to a poet from Assam. On Tuesday, as the state was celebrating the achievement of winning the third Jnanpith, the first Jnanpith won by Bhattacharya in 1979, literary enthusiasts recalled Mamoni Raisom’s ‘prophecy’.
In his poetry inspired by French symbolism, what distinguished Phookan was the symbolism. “He is the greatest poet of contemporary times. He has enriched Indian poetry and literature,” said noted litterateur Nagen Saikia.
“He has given us a new experience to savor. Human emotions, feelings and progressive thinking have given a new charm to his works. As a poet we are proud to have him,” said acclaimed author and critic Juri Bora Borgohain Said. “Some people say that he was inspired by French symbolism, but I think he has his own style and his ideas are beyond boundaries,” she said.
When the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill was passed, he had expressed concern about the future of the Assamese language and strongly opposed the CAA.
Chief Minister Sarma said that it is a proud moment for the state. “Happy and proud day for the literary sector of Assam,” the CM said.
Surya Henu Naami Ahe e Nodiydi, Kait, Golap Aru Kait, Golapi Jamur Lagna, Kobita and the dancing Prithvibi are among his famous works. Phukan was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1981, the Padma Shri in 1990 and the Sahitya Akademi Fellowship in 2002. He is a D. Lit from Dibrugarh University.
Phukan began his professional career teaching and took up poetry-writing in 1950. He was born on September 10, 1933 at Dargaon in present-day Golaghat district.
Kuldhar Saikia, president of the Assam Sahitya Sabha, visited the poet’s house and conveyed congratulatory messages from the gathering. “A great moment of joy for Assam,” he tweeted. Phukan was not available for comment on achieving the feat. His son Amitabh Phukan said, “This award will give him a new life.”
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