Naresh Chandra Dev Varma is one of the most respected literary figures from the northeastern state of Tripura. A distinguished writer, educationist, linguist, and cultural scholar, he has dedicated more than five decades of his life to the preservation, promotion, and development of Kokborok, the language spoken by the indigenous Tripuri people. In recognition of his extraordinary contribution to literature and education, he was honoured with the prestigious Padma Award.
Naresh Chandra Dev Varma – champion of Kokborok language
Naresh Chandra Dev Varma was born on 31 October 1944 in Tripura. Chandra Dev grew up during a period when Kokborok had limited institutional support and very little published literature. Deeply connected to his language and culture, he realized early that the survival and growth of a language depend on documentation, research, and literary development. This realization shaped his life’s mission and inspired him to become one of the foremost architects of modern Kokborok literature.
Although he worked as a government employee for much of his professional life, Naresh Chandra Dev Varma remained committed to literary and cultural pursuits. Beginning in the early 1970s, he started writing extensively on Kokborok language, grammar, culture, history, and social issues. At a time when scholarly resources on the language were scarce, his efforts helped create a strong foundation for future generations of writers, researchers, and students.
One of his most remarkable achievements is the authorship of more than thirty books, the majority of them written in Kokborok. His works cover a wide range of subjects, including language planning, grammar, literature, translation, Vanvasi customs, and cultural heritage. Several of his books have been adopted as reference texts in colleges and universities, reflecting their academic value and contribution to the study of indigenous languages.
In addition to his writing works, Chandra Dev has played a significant role in standardizing and promoting Kokborok as a language of education and scholarship. Through research, editing, and public engagement, he helped elevate Kokborok from a largely oral tradition to a recognized literary language. His work has been instrumental in preserving the linguistic identity of Tripura’s indigenous communities and ensuring that future generations remain connected to their cultural roots.
His contributions extend beyond literature into the broader field of education. As an educationist and intellectual, he consistently advocated for greater recognition of indigenous languages within academic institutions. He believed that language is not merely a medium of communication but also a repository of history, knowledge, and collective memory. This belief guided his lifelong efforts to make Kokborok accessible to students, researchers, and policymakers.
Awards & Recognition
In recognition of his immense service to literature and education, Tripura Government conferred upon him the Tripura Bhushan Award in 2024, the state’s highest civilian honour. The award acknowledged his decades-long commitment to cultural preservation and literary excellence. Two years later, his achievements received national recognition when he was selected for the Padma Shri in the field of Literature and Education. The honour was widely celebrated across Tripura and the broader northeastern region as a tribute not only to Dev Varma’s accomplishments but also to the rich linguistic heritage of the indigenous communities of the state.
Despite receiving numerous accolades, Naresh Chandra Dev Varma has remained humble about his achievements. In interviews following the announcement of the Padma Shri, he described the award as recognition of his long literary journey rather than a personal triumph. He emphasized that much work still remains to be done for the advancement of Kokborok literature, particularly in areas such as research, dictionaries, linguistic studies, and academic publications. He has repeatedly encouraged younger generations to take up the responsibility of enriching the language and expanding its literary horizons.
Naresh Chandra Dev’s Legacy
The legacy of Naresh Chandra Dev Varma lies not only in the books he has written but also in the cultural confidence he has inspired among indigenous communities. His work demonstrates how dedication, scholarship, and perseverance can help preserve a language and strengthen cultural identity in an increasingly globalized world. Through his writings and advocacy, he has ensured that Kokborok continues to thrive as a vibrant medium of expression, education, and cultural continuity.
Today, Padma Shri awardee Naresh Chandra Dev Varma stands as a symbol of linguistic pride, cultural preservation, and intellectual commitment. His life and work serve as an inspiration for scholars, writers, and language activists across Bharat. His work is an apt reminder of the need for preservation of indigenous languages, as it is essential for safeguarding the nation’s diverse cultural heritage.
(Featured Image Source: Northeast News)
