Benichandra Jamatia (1930 – 14 December 2020)[2][3] was a
Tripuri Indian folk writer and litterateur, known for his contribution to the fields of literature, songs and education in
Tripura. He is credited with introducing the baul singing tradition of West Bengal in
Kokborok language for the first time.[4] In 2020, he was awarded the
Padma Shri (2020), the fourth-highest
civilian award in India.[5][6][7][8][9] He died at his home on 14 December 2020.[1][2]
Biography
Benichandra Jamatia was born to Padasingh Jamatia and Suchitra in Maharani,
Gomati District, Tripura. While he was young, his mother narrated the
Puranas stories to him in the
Kokborok tongue. His days were taken up by farming and cattle rearing.
He was married to Durgamati Jamatia and has nine children.[4]