Guwahati: Renowned Assamese poet Nilmani Phookan’s funeral rites were performed out with all due state honours at the Bhootnath cremation ground in Guwahati on Thursday.
Assam Finance minister Ajanta Neog, Guwahati Commissioner of Police Diganta Borah, Deputy Commissioner of Kamrup Metro Pallav Gopal Jha, along with several other family members and well wishers of Phookan were present during the last rites.
The renowned poet passed away early today from diseases brought on by ageing. He passed away at Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) at 11:55 am.
Phookan was receiving treatment at the GMCH after being admitted last night in a severe condition.
Notably, Phookan has produced significant literary achievements, and his work, which is rich in symbolism and was influenced by French symbolism, is a prime example of the form in Assamese poetry.
Nilmani Phookan was the third recipient of India’s highest literary award, Jnanpith Award, after Birendra Kumar Bhattacharyya and Mamoni Raisom Goswami.
The ‘Jnanpith Award’ was conferred to him by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma during a function at Rabindra Bhawan in Guwahati on April 11, 2022 for his lifetime contribution in literature.