Nilmani Phookan (10 September 1933 – 19 January 2023)[1] was an Indian poet in the Assamese language and an academic. His work, replete with symbolism, is inspired by French symbolism and is representative of the genre in Assamese poetry. His notable works include Surya Henu Nami Ahe Ei Nodiyedi, Gulapi Jamur Lagna, and Kobita.[2][3]
Phookan started his career as a lecturer at Arya Vidyapeeth College in Guwahati in 1964, where he worked until his retirement in 1992.[8] He has also translated Japanese and European poetry into Assamese.
Selected Poems Of Nilmani Phookan. tr. by Krishna Dulal Barua. Sahitya Akademi Publications, 2007. ISBN81-260-2433-X.
Awards and recognition
In December 2021, the prolific poet and writer Nilmani Phookan received the prestigious Jnanpith Award for his lifetime contribution in literature.[14][15]
^Since he shares his name another Assamese poet, Nilamani Phukan (1879–1978), he is often referred as Nilamani Phookan(Jr). He had been awarded the 56th highest literacy award Jnanpith Award by the Government of India in 2021.(J