Assam: Uttara Bwiswmuthiary receives Sahitya Akademi Award for translation

Uttara Bwiswmuthiary, retired principal of Debargaon Higher Secondary School, has been conferred with the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award for Translation (2024–2025) for her remarkable translation of Anuradha Sharma Pujaree’s Assamese novel Kanchan into the Bodo language.

A distinguished educator and literary figure, Uttara Bwiswmuthiary hails from Kathalguri, near Kokrajhar town. She is the daughter of Birendra Lal Borgoyary and Dabashree Borgoyary and completed her education at Kokrajhar Girls' HS School and Kokrajhar College.

In 1981, she married Sansuma Khungur Bwiswmuthiary, a former Member of Parliament from Kokrajhar. Beginning her teaching career in 1983 at Salakati B.T.P.S. High School, she later joined Debargaon Higher Secondary School in 1992, where she served until retirement.

Beyond education, Uttara Bwiswmuthiary has significantly contributed to Bodo literature, authoring and translating numerous works. Her acclaimed books include Raikhwsa Fisa (2006), Haowasi (2008), Anthob (2013), Angroumwnda (2009), and Greetings Card (2020). 

She has also served as editor of the Bodo Writers' Association, chairperson of the Bodo Women Writers' Association, and a member of the Titaguri Primary Bodo Sahitya Sabha Trust. From 2018 to 2020, she led the Central Bodo Sahitya Sabha’s Children’s Literature Section.

Her contributions have been widely recognized. In 2017, she received the Ninakomal Brahma Award from the Kokrajhar District Bodo Sahitya Sabha for her short story collection Raykhwsa Fisa. She was also honored with the Best Teacher Award by the BTC Education Department the same year.

Uttara Bwiswmuthiary’s achievements continue to bring immense pride to the Bodo community, inspiring future generations of writers and translators.