GUWAHATI: Noted litterateur, academician and researcher of folk culture, Dr Pramod Chandra Bhattacharya breathed his last at a private healthcare centre here in the early hours of Monday. He was 93.
Dr Bhattacharya was undergoing treatment for old-age related ailments since November 1.
A researcher of folk culture, he will be remembered for his contributions towards the Bodo language, for which he was also honoured with the Upendranath Brahma award.
A life member of the Lingusitic Society of India, Deccan College, Pune since 1962 and North Eastern India Council of Social Science Research, Shillong since 1980, his published works in English include “A Descriptive Analysis of the Boro Language” (1977), “Boro Folk songs and tales” (1957), “This is Assam” (co authored with Prof. B.N Shastri, Asom Sahitya Sabha, Jorhat) in 1958.
Besides, the literary figure has to his credit several works in Assamese, includingover 20 booklets on various topics of literature and linguistics.
Dr Bhattacharya was the principal of B. Borooah College here from 1964 till retirement in 1986. He had served as lecturer in Assamese at the institution in 1951, head of Assamese department in 1960 before being the vice-principal in 1960.
Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Asom Sahitya Sabha, the apex literary body of the state of which Dr Bhattacharya was a life member, and several organizations, condoled his demise.
“Dr Bhattacharya’s contributions to language, literature and academics will always be remembered,” Sonowal said in his condolence message.
The chief minister also announced that Dr Bhattacharya would be accorded a state funeral at Navagraha crematorium here where his last rites will be performed.