The Asom Sahitya Sabha has conferred Sitanath Brahma Choudhury memorial literary award on the veteran novelist, playwright, and scholar Dr Nagendra Nath Sarma.
Dr Sarma, a former president of the Darrang Zila Sahitya Sabha, has been conferred the award for his Assamese novel Ene Mrityu Silpa Nahay (Such death is not art).
The news has made the literature-loving people and local organisations of Mangaldai jubilant.
Representatives of several non-political organizations including the Mangaldai media circle and Chapai Sahitya Sabha met Dr Sarma at his Bamunpara residence in Mangaldai on Thursday and greeted him with traditional Assamese gamosa and bouquet of flowers.
Meanwhile, expressing his reaction after being honoured with the award, Dr Sarma told Northeast Now, “Public recognition of works definitely makes the person delighted and I am too delighted after being conferred the award.”
Regarding his sixth novel Ene Mrityu Silpa Nahay, which has earned him the prestigious award, writer Sarma said, “The book from a mother’s point of view narrates about the social changes that had taken place from 1920 to 2018. There are many real-life stories in it.”
Dr Sarma hoped the readers after going through the novel will come forward to rectify the errors, and loopholes, if there is any, which he believes, will be his actual recognition as a successful novelist.
Dr Sarma has been invited by the Asom Sahitya Sabha to its ongoing conference on February 2 when he will be ceremonially presented the award.