Life & Legacy
Early Life
Arun Sarma was born on 3 November 1931 in Dibrugarh, Assam. His father, Tilak Chandra Sarma, served as the editor of The Times of Assam. During his childhood, the family moved to Halemguri near Tezpur, where his father devoted himself to farming and social service inspired by Gandhian ideals. Growing up in this environment shaped Arun Sarma's interest in literature, culture, and public life.
Education
He completed his schooling at Tezpur Government Boys' High School and passed the matriculation examination in 1948. Later, he graduated with B.A. (Honours) in Education from Cotton College, Guwahati, in 1954. During his college years, he developed a deep interest in drama, poetry, and creative writing, laying the foundation for his distinguished literary career.
Career
Arun Sarma began his professional journey as a journalist with The Assam Tribune in 1954 before briefly serving as Assistant Headmaster at Madhya Chaiduar High School. In 1960, he joined All India Radio (AIR), Guwahati, where he spent more than two decades as producer, senior producer, and educational broadcaster. His innovative use of radio for educational and cultural programmes transformed broadcasting in Northeast India.
He received advanced training in Radio Programme Production at the BBC, London, in 1969. Throughout his career with AIR, he wrote and directed around 47 radio plays along with several award-winning documentaries. Later, he became Station Director of AIR Dibrugarh and eventually retired as Director of All India Radio, North East Service, Shillong, in 1990.
Following his retirement, he became the founding editor of the Assamese weekly Purbachal and later served as Director of the Tea Centre of the Indian Tea Association. He also designed the acclaimed sound-and-light show on Assam's history at Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra, Guwahati.
Literary Contributions
Arun Sarma was among Assam's finest contemporary playwrights. His plays combined social realism, symbolism, satire, and psychological depth, bringing a fresh direction to Assamese theatre. Besides drama, he wrote novels, poetry, essays, documentaries, and radio scripts that enriched Assamese literature.
Major Plays
- Urukha Paja
- Jinti
- Sthawor
- Sri Nibaran Bhattacharyya
- Parashuram
- Purush
- Kukurnechia Manuh
- Ahar
- Chinyor
- Padma, Kunti Ityadi
- Buranji Path
- Poster
- Baghjaal
- Napoleon Aru Deserie
- Agnigarh
- Anya Ek Adhyay
- Aditir Atma Katha
- Chakrabyuha
- Chitralekha
- Robes of Destiny
- Anupam Andhar
- Arun Sarma Nirbachito Natok
Novels
- Ubhala Shipa (also known as Nixi Ujagor)
- Niriha Ashroy
- Aashirbador Rong (On a Wing and a Prayer)
- Sankalpa
- Baghjaal
- Nepothyo Chandranath
Poetry
- Arun Sarmar Kabyanurag
Essays
- Arun Sarmar Natyoproxongo Aaru Ononnyo Rosona
Major Achievements
- Modernized Assamese theatre through experimental plays.
- Wrote more than 40 stage and radio plays.
- Produced several nationally and internationally acclaimed radio documentaries.
- Promoted educational broadcasting through All India Radio.
- Designed the sound-and-light show at Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra.
- One of the few Assamese writers honoured with both the Sahitya Akademi Award and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.
Positions Held
- Journalist, The Assam Tribune
- Assistant Headmaster, Madhya Chaiduar High School
- Producer and Senior Producer, All India Radio Guwahati
- Head, Educational Broadcasting Section, AIR Guwahati
- Station Director, AIR Dibrugarh
- Director, All India Radio North East Service, Shillong
- Founder Editor, Purbachal Weekly
- Director, Tea Centre, Indian Tea Association
Awards and Recognition
- Asam Sahitya Sabha Drama Award (1967)
- Sahitya Akademi Award (1998) for Aashirbador Rong
- Asom Natya Sanmilan Award (2001)
- Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2003)
- Assam Valley Literary Award (2005)
- Padma Shri (2010)
- Sankaracharyya Avatar Award for Literature (2010)
- Japan Prize International (1980)
- ABU Award (1982)
- Prix Futura Berlin Commendation (1983)
- Akashvani Award for Radio Drama
Personal Life
Arun Sarma married Arati Sarma in 1959. She was the granddaughter of noted freedom fighter Karmaveer Chandranath Sarma. The couple had two children, Nandinee and Ochintya.
Death
Arun Sarma passed away on 27 March 2017 at Medanta Hospital. His death marked the end of an extraordinary literary journey spanning more than six decades. He continues to be remembered as one of the greatest playwrights and literary icons of Assam.
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