Destination Santiniketan for Assam initiative to celebrate poets

GUWAHATI

The creative works of Bhupen Hazarika and Navakanta Barua, two of Assam’s tallest cultural and literary figures, will be showcased during a poetic event on February 13 at the historic West Bengal university founded by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore.

The Assam-based Raul Kaushik Nath Foundation, on Sunday (February 8, 2026), announced the schedule of the sixth edition of ‘Monkobita’ at Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan. Held every February, Monkobita is an initiative of the foundation to celebrate the works of Assam’s legendary poets.

“This edition of Monkobita will honour two iconic personalities whose creations still impact and mould Assamese literature and music: Navakanta Barua and Bhupen Hazarika. Besides celebrating their remarkable artistic legacies, Monkobita 2026 holds special significance as it commemorates the 100th birth anniversary of both cultural figures, celebrating the enduring impact of their contributions to literature, music, and the collective imagination,” a statement from the foundation read.

The Santiniketan event is being organised in partnership with Visva-Bharati University’s Department of Assamese and the Bhupen Hazarika Cultural Trust.

Hazarika, affectionately called Sudhakantha (the nectar-voiced) and celebrated as the Bard of Brahmaputra, was a multifaceted genius—singer, composer, filmmaker, lyricist, poet, and visionary — whose work transcended regional boundaries and tackled universal issues of humanity, unity, and social justice.

Although rooted in Assam, his artistic journey forged significant and lasting connections with West Bengal and its cultural landscape. Starting in the 1950s, Kolkata became a significant artistic centre for him; he lived and worked in that city for many years, building relationships with Bengali artistes and enriching the region’s lively music scene.

The Bengal connection extended beyond mere geography; it symbolised a blending of cultural perspectives that enriched his artistic expression and enabled his message of universal unity to extend well beyond.

A poet, novelist, and author of children’s literature, endearingly known as Ekhud Kokaideu (the little big brother), Barua remains a prominent figure in modern Assamese literature. He was one of the most respected Tagore scholars in Assam.

In 1943, Barua began a fulfilling academic journey at the Visva-Bharati University, where he pursued his studies before obtaining a B.A. Honours in English in 1947. His tenure at Santiniketan broadened his intellectual horizons and immersed him in the fusion of cultural spirit and literary traditions advocated by Tagore, which deeply influenced his perspective as a poet and humanist.

This year’s Monkobita will include two components — an academic segment and a cultural segment. The academic session will take place at the university’s Bhasha Bhavana, while the cultural event will be held at the Lipika Auditorium, featuring a range of programmes including poetry recitation, songs, and dances.

Monkobita is curated by Bipuljyoti Saikia and Nayan Prasad, in association with the trustees of Raul Kaushik Nath Foundation, who include actor Adil Hussain, film critic Utpal Borpujari, media personality Kaushik Nath, and entrepreneur Riniki Bhuyan Sarma.

Apart from Monkobita, the foundation organises Mongeet, Montulika, Monmrittika (residential workshops for budding musicians, painters, and sculptors), Aharar Akholi (a workshop focusing on traditional cuisine), and Xotphool (a summer music workshop for school children) every year.