The passing of Hemanta Dutta, a legendary figure in Assam’s theatre and music landscape, has cast a pall of grief over the state. The renowned playwright, lyricist, actor, and director breathed his last at the age of 83 in the Intensive Care Unit of Gauhati Medical College Hospital (GMCH).
Born on September 24, 1941, in Kharupetia, Darrang district, Hemanta Dutta revolutionized Assam’s mobile theatre, earning a unique place in the history of the state. His notable plays include Eita Nasto Lorar Galpa, Path, Titanic, Sendur, Akashor Dore Mon, Mukti, Chakrabehu, and Jetuka Paator Rong, among others. In particular, Dutta’s Titanic is regarded as one of the most popular plays in Assam’s mobile theatre history. Produced by the late Ratan Lahkar under the banner of Kohinoor Theatre, this play was performed for several consecutive years, receiving an unprecedented response from audiences.
Beyond theatre, Hemanta Dutta made remarkable contributions as a lyricist. He penned over 500 songs, including timeless classics like Moi Ji Bate Ore Olo Aji, Ei Akash Bor Bishal, Xomoi Gotixil, Mej Bhora Ausire Raati, Jiwonor Kothin Baatat, and Kotone Aasa Mor Kolijar Aai. These songs, sung by luminaries such as Jayanta Hazarika, Charu Gohain, Malabika Bora, Shanta Uzir, and Bhupen Hazarika, have become immortal in Assamese music. His song Bondh Koribo Haat, Bondh Koribo Maat from the film Pita-Putra is recognized as the longest Assamese song, spanning 116 lines.
Dutta completed his schooling in Mangaldai and pursued higher education at Kanoi College in Dibrugarh. During his college years, he formed a cultural group called Quivers Band with friends like Syed Sadullah, Rajen Gohain, and Hiren Gohain. His first song, performed by Brajen Das at Dibrugarh’s India Club, marked the beginning of his illustrious career. In 1977, he ventured into professional lyric writing with the film Notun Aasha, and his songs like Tumi Ahisila Senai gained widespread popularity.
Hemanta Dutta’s contributions were recognized with numerous accolades. In 2024, he was honored with the Assam Saurav, the second-highest civilian award by the Assam government. Additionally, he received the Bhaven Baruah Award (2017), Bhabendra Nath Saikia Award (2018-19), Moonlight Media Award, Assam Natya Sanmilan Award, Atul Chandra Hazarika Award, Natya Sindhu Award, and Guruji Adya Sharma Award (2018), among others.
With Hemanta Dutta’s passing, Assam’s theatre and music community has lost a towering figure. His creations will remain an invaluable treasure in Assamese culture.
