Surjya Kanta Hazarika
Born (1956-05-31) 31 May 1956 (age 67)
Dibrugarh, Assam
NationalityIndian
Occupations
  • Journalist
  • Writer
  • Lyricist
  • Poet
  • Film maker
SpouseEva Hazarika
Websitedrsurjyahazarika.com [1]

Surjya Kanta Hazarika (Assamese: সূৰ্য কান্ত হাজৰিকা) is an Assamese litterateur, an eminent scholar, author, publisher, playwright, lyricist, composer, cultural activist, feature film and documentary maker, social worker and philanthropist. Hazarika is a recipient of the Padma Shri Award in 2008 for his contribution to Literature & Education. He is the current president of Asam Sahitya Sabha.[1][2][3]

Birth

Dr. Surjya Kanta Hazarika was born on 31 May 1956 in Dibrugarh in a cultured family. His father was Chandrakanta Hazarika and mother was Labanya Hazarika. Chandrakanta Hazarika was a teacher by profession but he had also established a publication house named “Bani Mandir” in 1949 which became an elite publication house of Assam within a short span of time. Surjya Kanta Hazarika was the eldest of his sons and the second among the seven children – three sons and four daughters.[3]

Education

After finishing his school education in Dibrugarh and Digboi, he enrolled for pre-university classes at Gauhati Commerce College, Guwahati in 1973–74. But after one year he had to go to Dibrugarh to look after family publication business and completed his PU from DHSK Commerce College in Dibrugarh. In 1978 he completed B.Com. from the same college. He received a M.Com. degree from Dibrugarh University in 1980. After this he started pursuing a Ph.D. in Gauhati University but could not finish it because of being too preoccupied with newspaper publication activities. However, in 2016 he started pursuing a Ph.D. again from Mahapurush Srimanta Sankaradeva University, Nagaon. Initially, he started his research under the guidance of Dr. Pradip Hazarika but after his untimely death he resumed his research work under Dr. Karabi Deka Hazarika and finished it in 2021. His research topic was 'Publication of Assam related books in the 19th century: A survey.' This thesis has been published as a book and is a valuable treasure of information for those who study the history of Assamese language and literature.[3]

As an author

From an early age Surjya Kanta Hazarika started to write. When he was in ninth standard, he wrote about a Delhi trip in a popular weekly newspaper Asom Bani. His first  book ‘Siku Aaha Nana Katha’ (Let's Learn Many Things)  was published in 1975 when he was just twenty. From an early age he edited several magazines including the college magazines. He had edited a handwritten magazine ‘Jyotirupa’ in 1976.[3]

Right from the time when he was in his early twenties Surjya Kanta Hazarika has been actively taking forward his family legacy of book publication and printing. Contributing immensely to Assamese book publishing industry and literature in general, he had established Chandrakanta Press Pvt. Ltd. in Guwahati in 1987. He had shifted his base to Guwahati two years earlier in 1985. He had a big dream of publishing a daily news paper. On 1 January 1988 he started publishing an Assamese News Paper named ‘Natun Dainik’. ‘Natun Dainik’ had soon become a very popular news paper under the editorship of Chandra Prasad Saikia, Jatindra Kumar Borgohain and Dr. Rohini Kumar Barua(a retired IAS) and later Surjya Kanta Hazarika himself took the editorship of the newspaper in 1993–94 and 1997–99.[3]

As a publisher

As a publisher of news papers, Surjya Kanta Hazarika had introduced a few revolutionary concepts in Assamese news paper industry. He had introduced ‘Sandhya Batori’, an evening newspaper in 1989. ‘Chitra Sangbad’ a niche news paper dedicated  to cinema and cultural activities in 1990 and a sports news paper ‘Khel Sangbad’ in 1992. Khel Sangbad was published under his own editorship. Apart from these four newspapers, he brought out a fortnightly newspaper named ‘Bahniman’ from Dibrugarh. He had also published another magazine named ‘Pratidhwani’ with Dr. Bhupen Hazarika as the editor and himself as the Associate Editor.[3]

Surjya Kanta Hazarika was only twenty when his association with ‘Asam Sahitya Sabha’ started. Since then he has been an active member of the ‘Asam Sahitya Sabha’. In 1980 he had taken the responsibility of Assistant Secretary of Dibrugarh Sahitya Sabha. He had also edited the news paper ‘Asam Sahitya Sabha Sangbad’ published by the Asam Sahitya Sabha in 1993. He was the editor of  ‘Asam Sahitya Sabha Patrika(Viswakosh Edition)’ in 2003.  In 1993–94, 2001–03, 2010–12, 2012–14 he was a member of the executive committee of the Asam Sahitya Sabha.

Dr. Surjya Kanta Hazarika has published thousands of valuable books under the banner of ‘Bani Mandir’ and ‘S. H. Educational Trust’. He has also encouraged many new authors. He himself has written and edited many valuable books. In order to preserve the legacy of Assamese literature he has also reprinted many age-old books which are considered immensely valuable.

Dr. Surjya Kanta Hazarika has been associated with many prestigious organisations in various capacities including the All Assam Book Sellers & Publishers’ Association, as the President for the period of 2005-06 & 2006–07. He is also the adviser of All Assam Printers’ Association. During this time he took many steps to promote Assamese publishing industry at the national and international level.

One of the most valuable works of Dr. Surjya Kanta Hazarika is the transcription of Multi-faceted Dr. Bhupen Hazarika's autobiography ‘Moi Eti Jajabor’.[3]

As a lyricist/composer

As a lyricist/composer, Dr. Surjya Kanta Hazarika has contributed significantly to the world of Assamese music. In 1987 he became an approved lyricist of All India Radio, Dibrugarh. Later All India Radio, Guwahati had also recognized him as an approved lyricist. He has written and composed songs for various audio albums, TV serials, movies and documentaries. ‘Brikodar Baruar Biya’, ‘Tore More Alokore Jatra’, ‘Ananya Prantar’, ‘Bahuttor Majot Ekotto’, ‘Ghar Sangsar’, ‘Merpak’, ‘Roopkonwar Jyotiprasad Agarwala’, ‘Rupantarar Silpi Jyotiprasad’ , ‘Jyotiprasad: A Legend of the Northeast (English)’ etc. are some of the TV serials for which he wrote songs. He has produced several audio albums. Most significant among these are – ‘Shrabya Safura’, ‘Asta Mukuta (Dr. Surjya Kanta Hazarika’s lyrics and Dr. Bhupen Hazarika’s composition & vocals), ‘Borluit’, ‘Jyoti Prasad’, ‘Harinam Loboloi (devotional)’, ‘Dholor Sewe Sewe (Bihu)’, ‘Adhyatmik Dr. Bhupen Hazarika’ and ‘O Mur Aponar Desh’.[3]

As a producer/director

Dr. Surjya Kanta Hazarika has produced & directed many TV serials, documentaries and has acted in several serials, movies, plays etc. Assamese TV serial ‘Brikodar Baruar Biya’, produced and directed by Dr. Hazarika was one of the most super hit and iconic Assamese TV serials of all times. It was telecast by Doordarshan Kendra, Guwahati. Apart from this, he directed and produced 9 other TV Serials namely Nirmal Bhakat, Ananya Prantar, Noi Boi Jai, Tore More Alokore Jatra, Maharathi, Dhanya Nara Tanu Bhal, The North East Today, The North East Round-up etc., 18 documentaries namely Chira Senehi Mor Bhasa Janani, Namghare Namghare, Shrimanta Sankardev aru Brindaboni Vastra, Sahityarathi Lakshminath Bezbarua, Rupantoror Shilpi Jyotiprashad, Bihangam Drishtit Bishnu Prashad Rabha, Bihangam Drishtit Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, Dr. Bhupen Hazarika : a living legend, Asom Ratna Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, Bahuttar Majot Ekotto, Jawahar Rojgar Yojana, Grammunayan: Mahila aru Shishu, Jyotiprashad: a legend for the North East, Kalaguru Bishnu Prashad Rabha, Mother and Child Healthcare, Places of Tourist Attraction in Assam, In search of a Lost City of Pragjyotishpur, 1 telefilm named Mitrashya Chakushya in Hindi and has assisted in the direction of a TV serial named ‘Bor Luitor Pare Pare’. Apart from that he has also acted in several TV serials, radio and stage plays as well as movies.

He produced and directed a full-length feature film name ‘Shrimanta Sankaradeva’ depicting the life and works of Shrimanta Sankaradeva, a 15th-century Assamese Vaishnavite saint, social reformer and cultural icon.

Dr. Surjya Kanta Hazarika has also been recognized with many prestigious awards including the ‘Padmashri’ in 2008.[3]

Notable works

Books

‘Dr. William Carey, Atmaram Sarma Aru Asamiya Bhashar Pratham Chapa Grantha Dharmapustak’ (Dr. William Carey, Atmaram Sarma and the first Assamese Printed Book ‘Dharmapustak’) 2017:

‘Dharmapustak’ was the first Assamese printed book published by American Missionaries in 1813. It was the Assamese translation of the Bible done by Atmaram Sarma at the initiative of British Missionary Dr. William Carey.  Dr. Surjya Kanta Hazarika has documented important aspects related to the publishing of the book which was a very significant event in the development of modern Assamese publishing industry as well as Assamese literature.

Asamor Jatiyo Sangeet Aru Itihaas (The State Anthem of Assam and Its History), 2016:

This research oriented book highlights the historical significance of ‘O Mur Aponar Desh’, the state anthem of Assam.

Anya Ek Dristikonere Sahityarathi Lakshminath Bezbaroa (Sahityarathi Lakshminath Bezbarua  from A Different Perspective) 2019:

Sahityarathi Lakshminath Bezbarua, one of the stalwarts of Assamese literature and culture played a very significant role in the crusade against attempts to deprive Assamese language of its independent identity. His contribution to the field of literature and society is immense and Dr. Surjya Kanta Hazarika, through this 403 page book, Dr. Hazarika is trying to explore some lesser highlighted yet significant aspects of Bezbarua's persona and his contribution to Assamese society and culture.

Sahityarathi Lakshminath Bezbaruar Sangbadikota (Sahityrathi Lakshminath Bezbarua’s Journalism) 2021:

Sahityarathi Lakshminath Bezbarua was one of the stalwarts of Assamese literature and language. He was one of the pioneers of the struggle for the identity of Assamese language. Apart from his role in literature and culture, he was also one of the pioneers in Assamese journalism. Bezbarua gave birth to a new era in Assamese literature and journalism as the editor of newspapers ‘Jonaki’ and ‘Bahi’. These magazines, in fact, were the platforms that nourished and catapulted many Assamese authors and journalists who became famous later. Dr. Surjya Hazarika explores these aspects of Bezbarua in this book.

Unabingsha Satikat Prakashita Asomar Grantha Itihas (The history of  Books on Assam Printed and Published during 19th Century from different Places of Assam, India and Abroad):

This well researched and well documented book is definitely a treasure of Assamese literature and academia. Apart from books on literature, culture, history & heritage etc. Dr. Hazarika has also covered the books on geography, mathematics, dictionaries and even school textbooks published in the period between 1801 and 1900. The book encompasses the detailed description of the process of making blocks for Assamese printing press and historical facts related to the setting up of the printing press in Assam. This book is  a valuable historical document related to evolution of Assamese printing and publishing industry also.

Bhupendar Xoite Xannidhyar Kisu Mitha Sowaran (Sweet Reminiscence of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika’s Association) 2022:

This coffee table book, which includes many rare photographs, highlights the moments of interactions between Dr. Bhupen Hazarika and Dr. Surjya Kanta Hazarika during their 40 years long association.[3]

Other books

Spiritual/Religious books edited by Dr. Surjya Kanta Hazarika

Compiled & Edited Books on various topics

Magazines Edited

Souvenirs Edited

Newspapers & magazines edited

Dictionaries

Feature film

Srimanta Sankardeva (2010) [4]

Documentraies

Research based-

Biographical-

Director of TV serials

TV serials

Year TV serials Remarks
1993 Nirmal Bhakat 5 Episodes in Hindi on Assam History Story by Legendary Novelist Rajanikanta Bordoloi [4]
2004 Dhanya Nara Tanu Bhal 8 Episodes in Hindi based on the Legendary Srimanta Sankardeva's Life & Activities [4]
2004 Tore More Aalokore Jatra 8 Episodes in Assamese based on Life & Activities of Cultural Icon Jyoti Prasad Agarwalla [4]
2004 Ananya Prantar 8 Episodes in Assamese based on Assam History [4]
2005 Maharathi 8 Episodes in Hindi based on Karna character of Epic Mahabharata) story by Chandra Prasad Saikia [4]
2011 Noi Boi Jai A serial based on cultural frictions of Assam, story by Dr.Lila Gogoi [4]

References

  1. ^ "Previous Padma Awardees". Padma Awards, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. Archived from the original on 11 October 2020. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  2. ^ "119 get Padma awards". Hindustan Times. 25 January 2008. Retrieved 25 January 2008.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r "Welcome to the Official Website of Dr. Surjya Kanta Hazarika". Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g "Director Surjya Kanta Hazarika's profile". Srimanta Sankardeva Films. Archived from the original on 20 September 2020. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
Categories