Bhabananda Deka

Early life and education Prof Bhabananda Deka was born to Late Baliram Pathak and Late Sayatri Bala Pathak at Byaskuchi Satra, Barpeta sub division of undivided Kamrup district, Assam. He completed his graduation in Economics from Cotton College, Guwahati, in 1954 and gained a postgraduate qualification in Economics from Gauhati University in 1957. Before his graduation, he gained teaching experience by working as part-time teacher at Sarthebari High School. After graduation, he went back to hometown again and worked for a year as a Teacher at Chenga High School. During that period, he also served historic Byaskuchi Satra (Monastery)'s governing body 'Bhattadeb Milan Samiti' as a secretary and was instrumental in re-establishing the Satra at a new compound together with the first Library (Bhattadev Puthivoral) at Byaskuchi Satra. He also served the locality by opening up an income generating mechanism for covering the running expenses of the Satra by aligning with the annual Fishery allotment of the nearby Kapla Bil, the big lake and conservatory of various fish species. He returned to Guwahati City to resume post-graduation studies in 1955, and had to earn his livelihood while learning in the University by working as Economist at Assam State Congress office under the patronage of state Congress President and ex-Chief Minister Mahendra Mohan Choudhury. After post-graduation examinations, for a brief period he again worked as teacher at two schools Kamrup Academy and North Guwahati Girls' School till the results were declared. With the newly acquired MA(Economics) degree, he received the first invite from iconic litterateur and founder of Arya Vidyapeeth College Prof. Giridhar Sarma to join in his newly founded College as the Professor and Head of Economics Department. From 1957, he briefly worked in Arya Vidyapeeth College before joining another similar institution Pragjyotish College. Career On 1 September 1958 Prof. Bhabananda Deka joined Pragjyotish College in the Economics Department as the Professor and Head. He retired as Principal of Pragjyotish College in 1992. He was the Founder Principal of Bapujee College in Sarthebari in 1970. While he was working at Pragjyotish College, he took leave for a year and worked as a Senior Research Officer in the Language Unit of Union Public Service Commission, Delhi. In between, he also worked for a couple of months as a Professor at Assam Engineering Institute. He also worked as Principal of 4 (four) other Graduate and Postgraduate Colleges in Assam. These Colleges were: Tamulichiga GKB College, Jorhat; Hajo BEd College, Dadara; Sarukehtri College, Borkapla and Guwahati Night College, Guwahati, Assam. Deka was a leading member of Asom Sahitya Sabha. In public recognition of his immense literary contributions, he was unanimously elected as the last President of the undivided Kamrup District Sahitya Sabha in 1982. He was the founder of Assam Economic Association, Assam Foundation-India and Srimanta Sankardev International Foundation, and a frontline advocate of the rich literary and cultural heritage of Assam all over the world. ==Book author==

He authored a total 115 numbers of books, apart from many articles, essays and research papers. He was prolific writer equally at ease in writing authoritative books on such diverse subjects like classical Assamese ancient literature, philosophy, vaisnavite study, economics, Assam economy, political science, civics, education, heritage study, mythology, tribal study, poetry, travelogue, and biography. Many of his books are bestsellers, and almost all the leading universities in Northeast India officially adopted most of his books as textbooks and reference books. Several of his iconic books including Asomor Arthaniti ('Economy of Assam') has seen more than fifty editions making them all-time bestsellers in Assam and India. His books on Vaisnavite scholar, poet, playwright, songwriter, musician, dance composer, actor, director, philosopher, and social reformer Mahapurusha Srimanta Sankardeva, his disciples like Madhabdev, Damodardev, Haridev, and other leading proponents of Vaisnavism and Sankari Philosophy and Culture are highly popular and critically acclaimed. He translated the Kirtan Ghosa (Poetic works of Srimanta Sankardeva) from Assamese to English. ==Editor of journals and magazines==

Deka was first offered the editorship of a literary journal Ami in the year 1948 when he was an eighth standard school student at Barpeta Government High School. His first foray into editing was a tremendous success, leading to more such editing offers during later years in his life. Because of his love and dedication to the cause of Assamese literature, he accepted several such editing offers while he was at the peak of his professional career as a leading college professor and India government's top bureaucrat. He jointly edited an iconic literary journal Udaygiri in 1964 while he was a college teacher. Almost all the top Assamese poets, essayists and story-writers of the time were regular contributors in this famous journal. He also discovered several new literary talents and established them in the literary world by highlighting their works in his edited journal. His co-editor of this iconic journal was famous Assamese literary critic Prof. Rammal Thakuria. He was also the editor of several other literary and philosophical journals and magazines including Rastrajyoti and Gobinda. Rashtrajyoti was the first bilingual literary journal combining two of major Indian languages Hindi and Assam, and it received nationwide success for its innovative journalism. ==Critical appreciation==

Principal Bhabananda Deka's scholarly works have been critically acclaimed from early 1960s, largely in Assamese language media. Even posthumously, his literary contributions are continuously being critically evaluated. In the most recent critical evaluation, Northeast India's oldest and most prestigious top English daily The Assam Tribune wrote about him and his works thus-- "Prof Bhabananda Deka, noted author, scholar and a pioneer economist of Assam has been credited with a plethora of scholarly books on Assam's heritage, literature, sociology, economy etc. He had always been active in projecting the motherland in all its glory through its rich legacy of literature and culture. One such marvellous work of his, the biography of Srimanta Sankardev, is actually a treasure for Indian art and literature. Prof Deka's book has beautifully encapsulated Sankardev's enriching works on every aspect of literature and art." The critical review further continued-- "The author not only emphasises on the works of Sankardev, but also on the works of the various other Sankarite scholars, past and present. Prof Deka beautifully exemplifies Sankardev's principles and teachings on how to live peacefully, despite the growing religious and racial intolerances prevalent then. I am sure that the re-publication of this book will bring Prof Bhabananda Deka's monumental work into focus, and pave the way for more extensive study and research on Sankardev, and his impact on the society at large." ==Honors==

Principal Bhabananda Deka was the recipient of the Literary Pension (2004) and Golden Jubilee of Indian Independence Literary Award(15 Aug 1997) offered by the Government of Assam. He was publicly bestowed with the honorary title of Asom Ratna -- 'Jewel of Assam' by the leading intellectuals in Assam on the occasion of his 78th birthday celebrations publicly on 19 August 2007, in a programme held in Guwahati city under the presidency of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore Professor of Gauhati University Dr Satyendra Narayan Goswami. A prestigious volume of compilations of tributary articles by leading scholars and some interviews of the departed scholar published during his lifetime under the name and style of Asom Ratna Principal Bhabananda Deka edited by leading Assamese poet Prof. Sushil Sarma conferring the said honorary title upon Principal Bhabananda Deka was officially released in the same programme by several leading scholars jointly including Prof. Upendra Nath Sarma, Abanindra Bora, Er. Arnab Jan Deka, Prof. Biswesear Hazarika joined by the editor Prof. Sarma and president Dr Goswami. Principal Deka was the first scholar to be conferred with this prestigious title by intelligentsia in Assam. Subsequently, Assam Government was inspired by this event to declare establishment of an 'Asom Ratna Award' in 2008 and two other fellow Assamese had been awarded including Dr Bhupen Hazarika in 2008 and Dr Mamoni Raisom Goswami in 2014. After his demise, Pragjyotish College of Guwahati, Assam, India, has been organising Bhabananda Deka Memorial Lecture in Guwahati every year since his first death anniversary on 4 Dec 2007. The most recent 6th edition of this Memorial Lecture series was held on 25 April 2015, wherein the former Principal of ADP College, Nagaon, Dr Ram Chandra Deka spoke about the rich qualities of Principal Bhabananda Deka. Prior to the Lecture programme, floral tributes were paid on the portrait of the departed scholar as a homage to his memory. An award-winning novel on his life titled 'Bhaba Ananda Sambad'(2007) authored by famous story-writer Arnab Jan Deka was published by the Assam Government through its official literary body Assam Publication Board. A documentary film with the title 'Golden Jubilee of Assam Economics Research & the Pioneer Assam Economist-Litterateur' highlighting his pioneering role as an Assam Economist and scholar premièred on 4 Dec 2014 in Guwahati City. This film had been directed by documentary filmmaker-actor Arnab Jan Deka. ==Books and articles==

Books in English • Industrialisation of Assam (1961) • Assamese Language & Literature & Sahityarathi Lakshminath Bezbaroa (literary history) (1968) • Sreemanta Sankardeva (biography) (2003) • Dimbeswar Neog – Life and Work (biography) (1999) • Elements of Economics (1963) • Elements of Political Science (1963) • Elements of Indian Economics (1963) • Studies in Economics Theory • Element of Civics and Economics • Elements of Political Science • Economics • Foundation Course • Sankardev's Kirtan Ghosa (2006) • Last Testament (2009) • Bishnuram Medhi : A Political Study (PhD thesis) (2010) Books in Assamese • Bhattadev Pratisthapit Byaskuchi Satra (archaeology) (1955) • Asomor Arthaneeti (Assam Economics) (1963) • Prachin Asomiya Bhakti Sahitya Aru Dhammapada (literary criticism) (1992) • Prabandha Bichitra (literary criticism) (1989) • 5 Centuries Assam Economy (research papers) (2013) (compiled & edited by Arnab Jan Deka) • Raghuvamsa (mythological story) (1971) • Punyabhoomi Asom (essays on archaeology) (1973) • Mahapurushar Kotha : Katha Guru Choritor Santa Mahanta (biography) (2004) • Bhaorather Bamsa Aru Baliram Pathakar Jivan Kriti (biography) (1986) • Amrit Putra Dhruva (mythological play) (1987) • Dharmatatwa (religious philosophy) (2013) • Awahon Ramdhenur Pate Pate (literary criticism) (2013) (compiled & edited by Arnab Jan Deka) • Manimugdha (poetry) (1992) • Mor Kobita (poetry) (2007) (compiled & edited by Arnab Jan Deka) • Srimanta Sankardev (2015) • Sri Sri Damodar Dev (biography) (1989) • Bhattadev (ভট্টদেৱ) (biography) (1989) • Mother Teresa (biography) (1996) • Rupkonwar Aniruddha (mythological play) (1994) • Saptarathee (mythological play) (1994) • Udham Singh : A Martyr of India's Freedom Movement (biography) (2015) • Bharatar Ajokoka Dadabhai Naoroji (biography) (2015) Research papers & essays in English • Rural Economy of Assam – (Khadi Gramodyog Commission, Bombay) (1963) • Bhakti Ratnakar of Sankardeva (Pragjyotishiya) • A Peep into the Economy of Guwahati (Paura Bichitra) (1978) • Economic Condition of the Citizens of Guwahati (Paura Bichitra) (1984) • Char Economic – Assam Information • Need for a Change in Quality of Education (Pragjyotishiya) • Sankardeva (Assam Tribune) (1998) • Sankardeva as a Social Thinker (Press Information Bureau) • Rangali Bihu : the Spring Festival of Assam (The Northeast Daily) (13 April 2000) • Buddha • Bargeet (2003) • Buddhism and its Teaching (2004) Research papers & essays in Assamese • Brass & Bell Metal Industry in Assam (Asam Bani) (1955) • Powers of India's President & Constitution (Ramdhenu) (1960) • Assamese Vaisnav Religion & Humanism (Awahon) (1968) • Employment Problems in Assam & Solutions (Amar Desh) (1969) • Bonhomie between Families of Sankardev & Damodardev (Awahon) (1973) • 19th Century's Economy of Assam (Dainik Asam) (1978) • Need for Moral Planning (Notun Asomiya) (1961) • Assam Economy During Sankardev's Times (Monideep) (1964) • Assamese Villages (Awahon) (1965) • Buddhism in Assam as Depicted in History of Kamrup (Awahon) (1968) • Ways to Celebrate Assamese Spring Festival Bihu (Awahon) (1971) • Assam's Char Economics (Janasikhsha, Assam Govt.) (1978) ==Books about Bhabananda Deka & his works==

A series of books had been published on the life and works of Principal Bhabananda Deka highlighting their intellectual and social significance. Some of these books are-- • Arthanitigya-Sikshabid-Sahityik Adhyaksha Bhabananda Deka (edited by Arnab Jan Deka) (2006) • Asomor Arthaniti Chorchar Baatkotiya Adhyaksha Bhabananda Deka (authored by Arnab Jan Deka) (2007) • Jewel of Assam Principal Bhabananda Deka (edited by Arnab Jan Deka) (2008) • Adhyaksha Bhabananda Deka : Hridoy Jar Axomiya (edited by Arnab Jan Deka) (2012) • Awahon-Ramdhenur Pate Pate Adhyaksha Bhabananda Deka (edited by Arnab Jan Deka) (2013) • Sahityik Dampati Adhyaksha Bhabananda Deka Nalini Prava Deka (edited by Arnab Jan Deka) (2014) • An Extraordinary Assamese Couple (edited by Arnab Jan Deka) (2015) • Awahon-Ramdhenu Jugor Xahityik Adhyaksha Bhabananda Deka (edited by Arnab Jan Deka) (2016) • Axom Ratna Adhyaksha Bhabananda Deka (edited by Prof Sushil Sarma) (2007) • Mor Kobita by Bhabananda Deka (edited by Arnab Jan Deka) (2008) • Last Testament of Principal Bhabananda Deka (2009) • Bhupen Hazarika-Bhabananda Deka-Mamoni Raisom Goswami : Tini Axom Ratna Tini Batkotiya (edited by Arnab Jan Deka) (2011) • Dharmatatva by Bhabananda Deka (edited by Arnab Jan Deka) (2012) • 5 Centuries Assam Economics by Bhabananda Deka (edited by Arnab Jan Deka) (2013) • Assamese Language & Literature by Principal Bhabananda Deka & others (edited by Arnab Jan Deka) (2014) ==See also==