Padmanath Gohain Baruah: Father Of The Assamese Novel And Literary Visionary

Padmanath Gohain Baruah (1871–1946) holds a revered place in Assam’s literary and cultural history. Born on 24 October 1871 in Nakari, North Lakhimpur, he was a versatile genius—novelist, poet, playwright, editor, and educationist. He was also the first President of Asom Sahitya Sabha, a literary body established to promote Assamese language and culture, presiding over its inaugural session in Sivasagar in 1917.

Early Life and Education

Padmanath began his education at a Bengali medium school in his hometown during a time when Assamese had been replaced by Bengali as the medium of instruction (1836). Thanks to the revival of Assamese in schools in 1872, he and his peers became part of the movement to reinstate their mother tongue in education.

Later, Padmanath moved to Calcutta for higher studies and became an active member of the Asomiya Bhasar Unnati Sadhini Sabha, a student group committed to the upliftment of the Assamese language. Although he could not complete his B.A., his time in Calcutta deeply shaped his nationalist spirit and literary vision.

Pioneering Role in Assamese Textbooks

One of Padmanath’s most impactful contributions was his role in writing Assamese textbooks. Alongside his close friend Panindranath Gogoi, he authored books on history, geography, moral science, physical exercise, and biographies to address the acute shortage of Assamese educational material. After Panindranath's untimely death, Padmanath continued this mission alone and compiled rare educational works like Jivani Sangrah, which chronicled the lives of Assamese stalwarts.

Father of the Assamese Novel

Padmanath Gohain Baruah is widely credited with writing the first Assamese novel, Lahori, published in 1892. Though earlier works existed, Lahori is recognized as the first literary novel in Assamese in terms of structure, plot, and language.

He later wrote Bhanumoti, a historical novel serialized in the Assamese monthly magazine Bijulee, edited by Krishnaprasad Duwara. These novels set a high standard for narrative fiction in Assam and laid the foundation for modern Assamese literature.

Prolific Playwright and Cultural Icon

Padmanath Gohain Baruah was a towering figure in Assamese drama and theater. His plays, many based on historical and mythological themes, remain significant cultural artifacts. Some of his most noted works include:

• Historical Dramas:

  • Joymoti

  • Gadadhar

  • Lachit Borphukan

  • Sadhani

• Mythological Play:

  • Ban Raja (based on the love story of Usha and Aniruddha)

• Social Drama:

  • Gaonburha – addressing the economic plight of Assamese villagers under British rule.

• Comedies:

  • Teton Tamuli

  • Bhoot Ne Bhram – both known for generating uproarious laughter among readers and audiences.

He was also the founder-secretary of the historic Baan Stage in Tezpur, which became a crucial platform for Assamese theater.

Journalism and Editorial Work

In 1901, Padmanath launched a weekly newspaper called Asom Banti from Tezpur with Joydev Sarma. This publication played a pivotal role in voicing the concerns of the Assamese people during a politically sensitive time. In 1906, he began publishing a literary magazine titled Usha, which featured works by notable Assamese writers such as Hemchandra Goswami, Satyanath Bora, and Sarat Chandra Goswami, ushering in a new literary movement in Assam.

Legacy and Literary Works

Until his death on 7 April 1946, Padmanath Gohain Baruah remained deeply engaged in the promotion of Assamese language, literature, and nationalism. His key literary contributions include:

Poetry Collections

• Juroni

• Lila Kabya

• Phoolor Chaneki

Dramas

• Gaonburha

• Joymoti

• Godadhor

• Bhoot Ne Bhram

Novels

• Lahori

• Bhanumoti

Conclusion

Padmanath Gohain Baruah was not merely a writer—he was a visionary who laid the foundation of modern Assamese literature. Through his novels, plays, poems, textbooks, and journalism, he revived Assamese pride during colonial rule and ensured that the Assamese language had a voice in education and literature. His pioneering legacy continues to inspire generations of writers, educators, and cultural thinkers in Assam.