Jnanadabhiram Barua – Assamese writer and freedom fighter

Jnanadabhiram Barua was an Assamese writer and freedom fighter who lived during the period, 1880 – 1955. He wrote many plays and translated many works. He translated Lakshminath Bezbaroa’s Assamese work Burhi aair xadhu into English. He is related to Tagore and Pataudi family through Sharmila Tagore. Jnanadabhiram Barua was Sharmila’s maternal grandfather. Pancharatna, Dodair poja, Venishor Saud and Bialator Sithi were his major works.

Fouzdaripatty of present day Nagaon district of Assam was the birth place of Jnanadabhiram Barua, and he was born on 8 July 1880. His father Gunabhiram Barua was a writer, historian and freedom fighter who lived in the 19^th century. Anandaram Dhekial Phukan, a pioneer of Assamese literature was his uncle. His mother’s name is Bishnupriya Devi. Barua’s early education was done at his hometown, and for advanced studies he moved abroad. He also studied at Kolkata.

Jnanadabhiram Barua – Some interesting facts

1. Anandaram Dhekial Phukan, a pioneer of Assamese literature was his uncle (father’s cousin).

2. He had good opinion about British. He went to London for higher studies as well as business activities and has been impressed by the polite behaviour of British.

3. He published his autobiography titled Mor Katha.

4. Bollywood actress Sharmila Tagore is his granddaughter, and thus Saif Ali Khan, Soha Ali Khan and Sara Ali Khan are other actor members of his family. Through Sharmila, he is also related to Bollywood actresses – Amrita Singh and Kareena Kapoor (thus linking to famous Kapoor film family).