Naresh Chandra Debbarma: A Lifetime of Dedication to Kokborok Language Honoured with Padma Shri
In a remarkable recognition of cultural preservation, octogenarian scholar Naresh Chandra Debbarma has been awarded the prestigious Padma Shri for his lifelong contributions to the Kokborok language. This self-taught linguist has spent over five decades meticulously documenting the grammar, history, and evolution of Tripura's tribal language, beginning his work years before it gained official status.
The Journey of a Self-Taught Language Expert
Born in Lembuthal village in Tripura's Sipahijala district, Debbarma grew up in a modest family of five. His academic journey began at Maharaja Bir Bikram College in Agartala, where he pursued science studies. However, financial constraints forced him to leave college prematurely, leading him to join the state government's agriculture department as a junior computer assistant.
In 1973, he transitioned to the Tripura Legislative Assembly as an Upper Division Assistant, eventually retiring in 2002 as the Assembly's first Officer on Special Duty (OSD). Throughout his three-decade public service career, Debbarma pursued his passion for Kokborok independently, teaching himself the language's intricacies while balancing professional and family responsibilities.
Documenting Kokborok: A Labor of Love
Debbarma's fascination with Kokborok began long before the language received official recognition in 1979. He started actively writing and promoting the tribal language in 1972, driven by the severe shortage of proper study materials and resources available at the time.
"I have always been fascinated with the Kokborok language and its literature," Debbarma explains. "Back then, there was an even higher shortage of proper study and resource materials in Kokborok than today. So, I started writing about the history and evolution of the language, its literature, grammar, usage, and other aspects."
Unlike many contemporary Kokborok writers who focus on poetry and storytelling, Debbarma has maintained a steadfast commitment to nonfiction. "While much poetry and storytelling is being practised in Kokborok these days, I prefer to keep my work nonfiction-based," he emphasizes.
A Prolific Second Innings After Retirement
Debbarma's retirement in 2002 marked the beginning of an exceptionally productive phase in his linguistic work. His first book, Jorani Makhang (The Face of Time), was published in 2003, followed by numerous articles, treatises, and research works. To date, he has authored an impressive 34 publications in Kokborok, Bengali, and English.
Drawing from his extensive five-decade experience, Debbarma offers a crucial perspective on language preservation: "While verses and stories are important to a language, they alone cannot ensure its survival, growth and evolution. You need quality research for that."
He notes the disparity between Kokborok and Bengali literature, despite both languages holding equal value: "I have been writing about Kokborok in Bengali script, and also in the Bengali language for some time now, and I realised that while Bengali and Kokborok are equal in value, Kokborok's own literature is still way behind Bengali. There is still too little literature and documentation available."
The Script Debate and Language Development
Kokborok's journey to official recognition in 1979 coincided with significant political changes in Tripura, including the formation of the first Left Front government. Subsequent governments established multiple Kokborok language commissions, which revealed that most tribal speakers preferred the Roman script, though the Left Front government favored Bengali script.
The script issue remains contentious, particularly during Tripura Board of Secondary Education examinations, with current government preferences leaning toward Bengali script while Tipra Motha advocates for Roman script.
Debbarma, who has consistently used Bengali script in his work, offers a pragmatic view: "It's a democratic demand, and they have the right to raise it. Time will tell what will be accepted. But I personally have been writing in Bengali script all along, and I don't feel there is any particularly unique substance to the claim of Roman script having any added advantage over Bengali script for use in Kokborok language."
He explains his approach to script adaptation: "For example, there are four forms of 's' in Bengali script, but I have used only one in writing Kokborok. Similarly, there are four types of 'd' in Bangla script, but I've used only one. It doesn't matter what pronunciation an alphabet has in its root language... to say Roman script has some kind of additional advantage over Bangla script, is something I don't personally feel logical."
The Path Forward for Kokborok
For Debbarma, the script debate should not overshadow the more critical challenge facing Kokborok. "More publications need to be done in this language, particularly those relating to research and development," he asserts. "Many books are being published in Kokborok every year; 17 were published this year alone, from what I understand. But most of these are works of fiction. We need more quality research work."
The Padma Shri award recognizes not just Debbarma's individual achievements but highlights the importance of preserving India's rich linguistic diversity. His work serves as both inspiration and foundation for future generations of Kokborok scholars, ensuring that this tribal language continues to thrive and evolve through rigorous documentation and research.
