HT Correspondent
TEZPUR, Oct 25: Tezpur University held a solemn condolence meeting on Wednesday, in memory of the revered academician, Padma Shri Prof. Birendranath Datta, who peacefully passed away on October 23, 2023.
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Prof. Datta shared a profound connection with Tezpur University, as he was the founding head of the Department of Traditional Culture and Art Forms, later renamed as the Department of Cultural Studies. His tenure in this role extended from 1995 to 1999. He played an instrumental role in conceiving the idea of a cultural museum at Tezpur University and successfully secured a project from the Ford Foundation to establish a research center dedicated to studying the cultural heritage of Northeast India. Under his guidance, Tezpur University published its first book, “Folk Painting in Assam.”
Additionally, Prof. Datta’s valuable contributions extended beyond his department. Serving as a Visitor’s Nominee on the Board of Management, the highest executive body of the University, he provided invaluable guidance and mentorship, steering the institution toward excellence.
Prof. Shambhu Nath Singh, the Vice-Chancellor of Tezpur University, expressed the university’s profound sorrow at the loss of Prof. Datta. He acknowledged that the intellectual legacy left by Prof. Datta, embodied in his books, research, and publications on folklore, would remain a priceless resource for scholars and enthusiasts alike. Prof. Datta’s passing is not only a significant loss to Tezpur University but also to the entire region, given his pioneering work in preserving and celebrating the cultural heritage of Northeast India.
The condolence meeting drew the participation of the university’s faculty, staff, and students. To honor Prof. Datta’s memory, the Department of Cultural Studies at Tezpur University is planning a dedicated event that will pay tribute to his remarkable contributions to the institution and the rich cultural tapestry of the region.
