Sealed Letter From Nilamoni Phukan To Divulge Names Who Tried To Defame Him

GUWAHATI : One of the most prominent figures of Assam in the field of literacy breathed his last on 19th of January, 2023. Nilamoni Phukan who was accused of plagiarism in April, 1974, refused to reveal one last detail regarding the matter. 

The Jnanpith Award winner tried to prove his innocence for several months, proving the claims as falsely. Following his demise, one of his student is all set to open a sealed letter that Nilamoni Phukan wrote stating names of those who backstabbed him. 

The twist here is that Phukan had directed to unseal the letter only after he demise. Manoj Kumar Goswami, editor-in-chief of an Assamese daily stated that, this particular letter is probably the longest kept secret of Indian literature.  Everyone awaits with rapid palpitations on what the sealed letter holds in it, he added.

The story goes back 1974 April, when a letter written by someone named Mridupaban Barua came forth alleging that, Nilamoni Phukan's 'Tuponitu teu muk khedi phurisil' is just a translated version of an old Spanish poem called 'nightmare'.

The letter claimed that the original version of Phukan's poem has been written by Leon Felipe Camino in 1834. During this phase, Phukan was 41 years old and had already stamped his name in Assam's literary world.

However, the accusations caused a massive storm. While the allegations against Phukan were supported by some, others referred it as a mere strategy to sabotage and defame the poet's name. Phukan went on and searched for every bits and pieces to prove his innocence.

Many revelations came forth during the process. In 2004, Nitya Borah wrote an article which revolved around the controversy in an Assamese daily. Following the article, Borah received a letter by Phukan where the names were mentioned, who made the false accusations against him.

Phukan's family was aware of the letter as well. However, the family has requested Borah to open the letter after 31st of January, as the rituals will be over by then.

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