The Hindu : Assamese poet presented Joshua award

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jul 27, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh

Assamese poet presented Joshua award

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD July 26. The Governor, C. Rangarajan, here on Friday sought an arrangement under which major works in various languages were translated into the other languages for the benefit of people. Agreeing with the suggestion of the Assamese poet, Nilmani Phukan, who was awarded the Joshua Sahitya Puraskaram-2001 that poetry touched every heart, the Governor said poetry had the power to change lives.

Congratulating the Joshua Foundation for instituting a national award for poets of any language who had enriched Indian literature with human values, he said it fulfilled twin purposes of promoting national integration and encouraging purposeful poetry.

He lauded the services of Joshua and Mr. Nilmani Phukan to society.

Mr. Phukan, responding to the honour, said poetry was for those who could not read. Man had the creative consciousness in him and no other living creature was bestowed with such a process. He expressed gratitude for selecting him for the award.

The former Chief Secretary, K. Madhav Rao, read the citation and Hemalatha Lavanam of the foundation, welcomed.

The Chairman, A.P. State Cultural Council, C. Narayana Reddy, introduced Mr. Nilmani Phukan and explained the essence of his poetry. Ramesh Chandra proposed a vote of thanks.

Earlier, the Governor couple presented the award to the poet which carries Rs. 1 lakh, a shawl and a memento.

Padmasri Nilmani Phukan blazed a new path in modern poetry with his traditional approach. Known for his exuberant imagery and human values, he relentlessly strived to uphold the spirit of man. Boundless joy peppered with sorrowful moments, the tears and the smiles, the ups and downs and the angst of life in such moments gets a new life in the poetry of Mr. Phukan. A strong streak of Latin American and French symbolism had its influence on Mr. Phukan in his formative years. He had extensively translated Japanese and Chinese poetry into Assamese.

The Joshua Foundation selects the awardees after careful scrutiny and evaluation of their poetic values and societal concerns. This is the seventh award.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States

Stories in this Section

Five naxals killed in encounter

CM offers relief package for drought-hit

'Indiscriminate use of modern technology harmful'

Tirumala gearing up for Brahmotsavams

Sadist husband thrashed

Ex-GM of TRICOR to be sacked

Furore over lathicharge in Chandragiri

Import duty on mulberry to be hiked

941 mandals declared drought-hit

Assamese poet presented Joshua award

Panel confirms lock-up death