Who is known as the father of Assamese prose?

Who is known as the father of Assamese prose?

Hem Chandra Barua

 Baikunthanatha Bhagavata Bhattacharya, also known as Bhattadeva, is known as the father of Assamese prose. He was a 16th-century scholar and writer who translated the Sanskrit Bhagavata Purana into Assamese prose. His work is considered to be the first major work of Assamese prose and helped to standardize the language.

Bhattadeva was born in 1558 in the village of Barpeta in Assam. He was a Brahmin scholar who studied Sanskrit and other Indian languages. He was also a devout follower of the Vaishnava sect of Hinduism.

In 1593, Bhattadeva was commissioned by Damodardeva, the king of Assam, to translate the Sanskrit Bhagavata Purana into Assamese prose. The Bhagavata Purana is a long and complex text, but Bhattadeva was able to translate it into a clear and concise style that is still accessible to readers today.

Bhattadeva's translation of the Bhagavata Purana was a major milestone in the development of Assamese prose. It helped to standardize the language and made it more accessible to a wider audience. Bhattadeva's work also had a lasting impact on Assamese literature. He is considered to be one of the most important Assamese writers of all time.

In addition to his translation of the Bhagavata Purana, Bhattadeva also wrote several other works, including a commentary on the Bhagavad Gita and a biography of Sankardeva, the founder of the Vaishnava movement in Assam.

Bhattadeva died in 1638. He is remembered as one of the most important figures in the history of Assamese literature. His work helped to lay the foundation for the development of Assamese prose and made a significant contribution to the cultural heritage of Assam.

Anandaram Baruah, also known as Anandaram Dhekial Phukan, is often referred to as the "father of Assamese prose." He was a prominent Assamese writer and intellectual who made significant contributions to Assamese literature in the 19th century. Anandaram Baruah played a crucial role in the development of modern Assamese prose by writing essays, articles, and commentaries in the Assamese language. His efforts were instrumental in promoting the use of Assamese for non-fictional and intellectual discourse, thereby laying the foundation for the growth of Assamese prose literature.