Renowned folklorist, poet, and academician Anil Kumar Boro from Assam has been honoured with the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, for his outstanding contributions to the promotion and preservation of Bodo literature and folklore. President Droupadi Murmu conferred the prestigious award upon Professor Boro at a grand ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The award recognises his decades-long efforts in taking Bodo folk culture and literary heritage to national and international platforms. Currently serving as the Head of the Department of Folklore Research at Gauhati University, Professor Boro has an impressive literary portfolio. He has authored more than 30 books across genres including poetry, novels, literary criticism, children’s literature, travelogues, and studies in folklore. His seminal works such as Folk Literature of the Bodos: An Introduction, A History of Bodo Literature, The Flute and the Harp, and Delphini Onthai Mwdai Arw Guhun Crubun Khonthai are regarded as milestones in modern Bodo literary discourse. Besides his original writings, Prof. Boro has translated world literature into the Bodo language, creating bridges between global literary traditions and Bodo readers. As an editor, he has shaped important literary journals and anthologies, including The Bodo Quarterly, Journal of Folklorists, and Thunslai, an online platform dedicated to translation work.
Born on December 9, 1961, in Kahitama village near Manas National Park in Assam, Boro pursued his early education locally before earning a Master’s degree in English from Gauhati University. Later, he completed his Ph.D. from the Department of Folklore Research. His academic journey began in 1988 as a Lecturer in English at Dimoria College, eventually leading him to Gauhati University, where he joined the Folklore Research Department in 2000. Beyond his literary contributions, Prof. Boro has been deeply involved in promoting mother tongue education and the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, particularly within Bodoland. He has been an active member of the Bodo Sahitya Sabha and has played a crucial role in organising the Kokrajhar Literary Festival since its inception in 2021. His work has not been confined within national borders. Representing India, he has presented papers and participated in academic and literary forums across Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Denmark, and China, further enhancing global awareness of Bodo culture and traditions.
Prof. Boro’s contributions have been widely recognised over the years. In addition to the Padma Shri, he is a recipient of the Sahitya Akademi Award (2012), the Rangsar Literary Award, and the Sahitya Sadhana Botha (2024). The Bodo language, listed under Schedule VIII of the Indian Constitution, holds official associate status in Assam and serves as a medium of instruction up to Class XII, making Prof. Boro’s work even more significant in preserving and promoting linguistic heritage. This year, the Padma Awards witnessed the conferment of 139 honours, including 7 Padma Vibhushan, 19 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri awards. Among the awardees were 23 women and several individuals from the NRI, PIO, and OCI categories, along with 13 posthumous recipients.