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Lakshminath Bezbarua (1864–1938) stands as a towering figure in modern Assamese literature, hailed as the father of the Assamese short story and revered as the “Sahityarathi,” or Charioteer of Literature. Born on a full-moon night in autumn on October 14, 1864—coinciding with the festival of Lakshmi Puja which inspired his name—Bezbarua’s literary journey was deeply intertwined with the cultural fabric of Assam.
Bezbarua’s early education began at Sibsagar Government High School, followed by studies at City College and General Assembly’s Institution in Calcutta, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He pursued graduate-level courses in M.A. and law at the University of Calcutta but did not complete these programs. Despite academic interruptions, his intellectual pursuits flourished, laying a strong foundation for his literary vocation.
As a pioneer of the Jonaki Era, the romantic age of Assamese literature, Bezbarua infused new vitality into a languishing literary scene through poetry, essays, plays, and fiction marked by humor and social awareness. He launched his literary career with the satirical farce “Litikai,” serialized in Jonaki magazine, and went on to write eight plays, numerous farces, biographies, autobiographies, and works for children. His short stories portrayed Assamese society with affectionate humor, while his historical plays “Chakradhaj Singha,” “Joymoti Kunwari,” and “Belimaar” underscored his patriotic vision.
Bezbarua also championed Assamese cultural identity with works like the patriotic anthem “O Mur Apunar Dekh,” now the state song of Assam. His editorial role in the magazine “Baahi” further demonstrates his commitment to literary cultivation.
Married to Pragyasundari Devi, niece of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore and a celebrated author herself, Bezbarua belonged to a lineage of literary and cultural distinction. He presided over the All-Assam Students’ Conference and Asam Sahitya Sabha, signifying his leadership in the region’s intellectual life.
The title “Roxoraj,” meaning “The King of Humour,” was bestowed upon him by the Asam Sahitya Sabha in 1931, reflecting his mastery in satirical writing under the pen name “Kripaabor Borbaruah.” His death in 1938 in Dibrugarh marked the end of an era, but his legacy endures through annual commemorations on Sahitya Divas by the Assam Sahitya Sabha.
A prolific writer, Bezbarua’s oeuvre includes poetry collections such as “Kodom Koli” and “Podum Koli,” short story collections like “Surobhi” and “Junbiri,” children’s folk tales, and scholarly essays on Vaishnavism and Indian culture. His autobiographies “Mor Jiban Sowaran” and “Patralekha, Dinalekha” provide rich insights into the life of a man whose literary genius shaped Assamese identity and literary heritage.
Lakshminath Bezbarua’s life and work symbolize the renaissance of Assamese literature, where humor, patriotism, and cultural pride converged to inspire generations. His title “Sahityarathi” remains a testament to his enduring role as the charioteer steering Assamese letters toward modernity and vitality.
Publications:
Poetry Collections:
- Kadom Koli (কদম কলি) (1913)
- Podum Koli (পদুম কলি) (1968)
Novel:
- Podum Kunwori (পদুম কুৱঁৰী)
Short Story Collections:
- Surobhi (সুৰভি) (1909)
- Xadhukothaar Kuki (সাধুকথাৰ কুঁকি) (1912)
- Junbiri (জোনবিৰি) (1913)
- Kehukoli (কেহোঁকলি)
Children’s Literature:
- Junuka (জুনুকা) (1910)
- Burhi aair xadhu (বুঢ়ী আইৰ সাধু) (1911)
- Kokadeuta aaru nati lora (ককাদেউতা আৰু নাতি-ল’ৰা) (1912)
- Baakhor (বাখৰ)
Satirical Essay Collections:
- Kripabor Barbaruar Kaakotor Tupula (কৃপাবৰ বৰবৰুৱাৰ কাকতৰ টোপোলা) (1904)
- Kripabor Barbaruar Ubhutoni (কৃপাবৰ বৰবৰুৱাৰ ওভোতনি) (1909)
- Barbaruar Bhabor Burburoni (বৰবৰুৱাৰ ভাবৰ বুৰবুৰণি)
- Barbaruar Buloni (বৰবৰুৱাৰ বুলনি)
Comic Plays:
- Litikai (লিটিকাই)
- Nomal (নোমল)
- Paachani (পাচনি)
- Chikarpati Nikarpati (চিকৰপতি নিকৰপতি)
Plays:
- Joymoti Kunwari (জয়মতী কুঁৱৰী) (1915)
- Chakradhwaj Singha (চক্ৰধ্বজ সিংহ) (1915)
- Belimaar (বেলিমাৰ) (1915)
- Litikai (লিটিকাই) (1890)
- Chikarpati-Nikarpati (চিকৰপতি-নিকৰপতি) (1913)
- Nomal (নোমল) (1913)
- Pachoni (পাচনি) (1913)
Biographies:
- Dinanath Bejbaruar Xankhipto Jibon Charit (দীননাথ বেজবৰুৱাৰ সংক্ষিপ্ত জীৱন চৰিত)
- Sri Sri Shankardev (শ্ৰীশ্ৰী শংকৰদেৱ)
- Mahapurush Sri Sankardev Aru Sri Madhabdev (মহাপুৰুষ শ্রীশংকৰদেৱ আৰু শ্রীমাধৱদেৱ)
Autobiographies:
- Mor Jiban Sowaran (মোৰ জীৱন সোঁৱৰণ)
- Patralekha, Dinalekha (পত্ৰলেখা, দিনলেখা)
English Books:
- History of Vaishnavism in India
- Rasalila of Sri Krishna (The Baroda Lectures, 1934)
- The Religion of Love and Devotion (1968)
Other Works:
- Kaamat Kritatwa Labhibar Xanket (কামত কৃতিত্ব লভিবৰ সংকেত)
- Bhagawat Katha (ভাগৱত কথা)
- Bharatbarshar Buranji (ভাৰতবৰ্ষৰ বুৰঞ্জী)
- Tatwa Katha (তত্ত্ব কথা)
- Sri Krishnakatha (শ্ৰীকৃষ্ণকথা)
- Axomiya Bhaxa Aru Xahitya (অসমীয়া ভাষা আৰু সাহিত্য)
Edited:
- Baahi (বাঁহী) magazine
Awards and Honors:
- Title “Roxoraj” (The King of Humour) awarded by Asam Sahitya Sabha on 29 December 1931
- The word “Sahityarathi” (Charioteer of Literature) was first used for him in the felicitation letter by Asam Sahitya Sabha
- Presided over All-Assam Students’ Conference at Guwahati in 1921
- Presided over 7th annual session of Asam Sahitya Sabha at Guwahati in 1924
- The Assam Sahitya Sabha commemorates 26 March, the day of his death, as Sahitya Divas in his honor
Last modified: November 24, 2025
