Bonphul

Bonphul

Author	Jatindra Nath Duwara
Language	Assamese
Genre	Poetry collection
Publication date	1952
Publication place	India

Bonphul (বনফুল) is the fourth poetry collection by noted Assamese poet and literary figure Jatindra Nath Duwara. It is the first book in the Assamese language to receive the Sahitya Akademi Award. Duwara composed Bonphul during his stay in Kolkata. The book, published in 1952, contains a total of 50 poems.

Author

Main article: Jatindra Nath Duwara

Jatindra Nath Duwara (1892–1964) was a prominent Assamese poet and literary figure. From his student days, he showed a keen interest in literature. His literary talent developed under the guidance of Lakshminath Bezbaroa during his time in Kolkata. He was the first Assamese writer to receive the Sahitya Akademi Award for Assamese literature. In December 1955, he presided over the annual session of the Asam Sahitya Sabha held in Guwahati. He was influenced by English Romantic poets, Persian poet Omar Khayyam, and German poet Heinrich Heine.

Awards

For his poetry collection Bonphul, poet Jatindra Nath Dowerah received the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1952, becoming the first recipient of the award for Assamese literature.

Themes

The poems in Bonphul reflect a blend of romanticism, humanism, and deep sensitivity to nature and the human condition. Influenced by the Romantic tradition of English literature and the philosophical musings of poets like Omar Khayyam and Heinrich Heine, Duwara’s verses explore themes of love, longing, transience, beauty, and existential reflection. His poetry often draws upon the Assamese landscape and cultural imagery, blending lyrical elegance with emotional introspection. Through Bonphul, Duwara gives voice to both individual emotions and universal truths, making it a significant work in modern Assamese poetry.

Reception

Upon its publication in 1952, Bonphul was widely appreciated by readers and critics alike for its lyrical beauty, philosophical depth, and emotional resonance. The collection marked a significant moment in Assamese literature by earning the Sahitya Akademi Award, the first such recognition for an Assamese work. Literary circles praised Duwara's ability to merge Assamese cultural imagery with universal poetic themes. His sensitive portrayal of love, nature, and introspection helped establish him as a leading voice in Assamese poetry. The book's recognition also contributed to increased interest in modern Assamese literature during the mid-20th century.

Legacy

Bonphul holds a distinguished place in Assamese literary history as a pioneering modern poetry collection. Its recognition by the Sahitya Akademi not only established Jatindra Nath Duwara as a prominent literary figure but also marked a turning point for Assamese poetry on a national stage. The book inspired subsequent generations of Assamese poets to explore introspective themes and experiment with lyrical styles. Duwara’s blend of traditional Assamese aesthetics with modernist sensibilities contributed to shaping the evolution of Assamese poetry in the latter half of the 20th century.

Noted literary critic Dr. Tridip Goswami described Bonphul as "a milestone that opened the doors for lyrical modernism in Assamese poetry," noting that Duwara’s work "combined emotional depth with philosophical elegance, rooted in the Assamese sensibility yet universal in appeal."

According to Dr. Namita Deka, "Bonphul redefined the poetic voice in Assamese literature. Duwara’s poems, influenced by Khayyam and Heine, ushered in a new age of poetic individualism and existential thought."

Bonphul continues to be studied in Assamese literature courses and is regarded as a foundational text in the canon of modern Assamese poetry.