Out of 102 Padmashri awardees Dr. Dharma Narayan Barma is one of them. Kamtapuri linguist Dr. Barma hailed from Koch Rajbanshi family of Tufanganj sub division of Coochbehar district (earlier kamtapur and Coochbehar state). This year (2021) president Ram Nath Kovind has approved total 119 Padma awards on the occasion of Republic Day. Besides 102 Padmashri awards, 10 Padma Bhushan awards and 7 Padma Vibhushan also conferred.
About Padma Awards –
Padma Award is one of the highest civilian Awards of the country, are conferred in three categories, namely – Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. The Awards are given in various fields or disciplines of activities, like social work, art, literature and education, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, sports, civil service, etc.
‘Padma Vibhushan’ is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service;
‘Padma Bhushan’ for distinguished service of high order and
‘Padma Shri’ for distinguished service in any field. The awards are announced on the occasion of Republic Day every year.
Birth, Education and Professional Life
Dr. Dharma Narayan Barma was born on 10th November 1935 at Haripur village of Barokodali -1 GP (Tufanganj – 2 Block). His father name is Sh. Debeshwar Barma and mother Mandol Devi. He was very much adorable in his area from childhood.
Dr. Dharma Narayan Barma has been awarded in literature and education section for his exemplary contribution in Kamtapuri literature. He composed grammar of kamtapuri language as koch rajbanshi educationist. Dr. Dharma Narayan Barma post graduated in sanskrita from Victoria college or A.B.N. Seal college of Coochbehar. Although nomenclature Rajbanshi Language and Kamtapuri language is used for same language. Dr. Barma sticked to name Kamtapuri language since 1970 – 1980. So many rajbanshi educationists first supported the name Kamtapuri language but after a period of time changed their mind from name Kamtapuri language to Rajbanshi language. Its may be from some professional as well as political pressure. In 1951 he passed matriculation from Tufanganj Nripendra Narayan Memorial High School. For higher study he took admission in Victoria College (ABN Seal college) Coochbehar. He passed IA and BA from Victoria College. In 1959 he completed postgraduation in Sanskrita subject from Calcutta University. Dr. Barma was teacher as profession in Tufanganj NNM High School till retirement in 1995.
During his professional life, he started to research on Kamtapuri language (some people says Rajbanshi language also, so Kamtapuri and Rajbanshi is same language but Government divided on name basis only). He wrote books on Kamtapuri language and Kamta culture. Some names of his book are –
- Kamtapuri Bhasha Sahitter Ruprekha
- A step to Kamtabehari Language
- Mahavir Chila Ray
- Maharaja Naranarayan
- Kamtabehari Bhashar Bakoron
Dr. Dharmanarayan Barma was founder member and secretary KLCF (Kamtapuri Language and Cultural Foundation). Raidak Patrika from Tufanganj is also published by Dr. Barma. He was the key person under whom endeavor Kamtapuri language entered into the waiting list of 8th schedule of Indian constitution 10-15 years back. But West Bengal government deliberately created first Rajbangshi language academy instead of Kamtapuri language academy and then Kamtapuri language academy also. The two language name academy for same language is nothing but conspiracy against common people so that none of them get status of 8th schedule.