The sixth edition of Monkobita, a literary and cultural initiative celebrating Assam’s artistic heritage, will be held at Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan, on February 13, 2026, to honour two iconic figures of Assamese culture - Dr Bhupen Hazarika and Navakanta Barua. The event gains special significance this year as it marks the birth centenaries of both the legendary singer-composer and the celebrated poet-scholar.
Organised by the Raul Kaushik Nath Foundation in collaboration with the Department of Assamese, Bhasha Bhavana, Visva-Bharati University, and the Bhupen Hazarika Cultural Trust, Monkobita has been held annually since 2021 with the aim of fostering literary dialogue and cultural exchange.
Dr Bhupen Hazarika, fondly remembered as Sudhakantha or the Bard of the Brahmaputra, was a multifaceted artist whose music and writings transcended linguistic and regional boundaries, championing themes of humanity, social justice and unity. His close association with Bengal’s cultural milieu and Santiniketan remains an important chapter in his artistic journey.
Navakanta Barua, one of the foremost modern Assamese poets and writers, was also deeply connected to Santiniketan, having pursued his higher education at Visva-Bharati in the 1940s. Affectionately known as Ekhud Kokaideu, Barua made lasting contributions to poetry, fiction, children’s literature and translation, and was widely respected as a scholar influenced by Rabindranath Tagore’s ideals.
Monkobita 2026 will feature an academic session at Bhasha Bhavana, where scholars from Visva-Bharati, Gauhati University and other institutions will deliberate on the literary and cultural legacies of the two luminaries. This will be followed by a cultural programme at the Lipika Auditorium, comprising poetry recitations, musical performances and dance presentations.
Noted artists and performers, including Manisha Hazarika, Joi Barua, Rupam Bhuyan, and representatives of the Indian People’s Theatre Association, along with poets from West Bengal, will take part in the programme, highlighting the spirit of cross-cultural dialogue that Monkobita seeks to promote.
Curated by Bipuljyoti Saikia and Nayan Prasad, Monkobita 2026 is part of the foundation’s broader efforts to support art, literature and cultural residencies. The event aims to celebrate the enduring influence of Bhupen Hazarika and Navakanta Barua while reaffirming Santiniketan’s role as a meeting ground of diverse cultural traditions.
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