Padma Shri awardee Naresh Chandra Dev Varma thanks the Modi government for recognising Kokborok language and tribal literature, highlighting his lifelong efforts to preserve Tripura’s indigenous culture and linguistic heritage.
Renowned tribal intellectual and celebrated writer from Tripura, Naresh Chandra Dev Varma, has expressed heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Central government after being named a recipient of the Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian honours. The award recognises his lifelong contribution to the preservation, promotion and academic development of the Kokborok language and its literature.
Speaking after the announcement, the octogenarian author said he was deeply moved and delighted by the recognition. However, he was quick to emphasise that the honour transcends individual achievement. According to him, the Padma Shri is a recognition of an entire linguistic and cultural tradition that has long sought its rightful place in India’s literary landscape.
“This recognition is not personal. It is a recognition of the Kokborok language and its literature,” Dev Varma said, underlining the collective significance of the award for Tripura’s indigenous communities.
A lifelong advocate for tribal language rights, Dev Varma has devoted more than five decades to writing, research and cultural activism. He has authored 34 books in Kokborok, covering literature, linguistics, culture and social issues, making him one of the most prolific writers in the language. His works are widely used by students, researchers and cultural institutions across Tripura.
Beyond authorship, Dev Varma has also played a crucial role in the academic standardisation of Kokborok. He edited several journals and books and actively participated in scholarly debates and cultural forums focused on strengthening the language’s literary foundation. His intellectual engagement has significantly influenced how Kokborok is studied, taught and preserved today.
Before dedicating himself fully to literary and cultural pursuits, Dev Varma served as Deputy Secretary in the Tripura Assembly Secretariat, a role that gave him a deeper understanding of governance and policy. This experience helped him advocate more effectively for the institutional recognition of tribal languages within the administrative framework.
One of his most notable contributions has been his consistent advocacy for the use of Bangla or Devanagari scripts for writing Kokborok. He firmly believes that these scripts would make the language easier to read, teach and preserve, particularly for younger generations. His position has sparked extensive debate over the years but has also played a key role in keeping the discourse on language preservation active and inclusive.
The Padma Shri honour acknowledges Dev Varma’s sustained efforts in safeguarding Tripura’s linguistic heritage and strengthening indigenous literature at a national level. His recognition is being seen as a milestone moment for tribal intellectual traditions, particularly those from India’s Northeast.
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha congratulated Dev Varma on the achievement and highlighted his immense contribution to the state’s cultural identity. In a post on X, the Chief Minister stated that Tripura is immensely proud of Dev Varma, noting that the state government had already honoured him with the Tripura Bhushan Award in 2024 in recognition of his outstanding service to Kokborok literature and education.
Widely respected across Tripura, Dev Varma is known not only for his literary work but also for his engagement with social and cultural issues. Despite his age, he remains socially active and continues to participate in cultural programmes, seminars, workshops and intellectual gatherings, inspiring younger generations of writers and scholars.
Born on October 31, 1944, in Kunjaban, Agartala, Dev Varma comes from a marginal farming family. His parents, Madan Mohan Dev Varma and Sambhu Laxmi Dev Varma, instilled in him a deep respect for education and cultural roots, values that shaped his lifelong mission.
According to the 2011 Census, Kokborok is spoken by 8,80,537 tribal people in Tripura, accounting for nearly 24 per cent of the state’s population. It is the mother tongue of nine out of the 19 tribal communities in the state, including major clans such as Tripura, Debbarma, Jamatia, Noatia, Murasingh, Reang, Kalai, Rupini and Uchowi.
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Kokborok was accorded second official language status on January 19, 1979, a historic decision by the then Left Front government. The day is observed annually as a reminder of the language’s official recognition and cultural significance.
Dev Varma’s Padma Shri honour is now being seen as a reaffirmation of India’s commitment to celebrating its diverse linguistic heritage and giving long-overdue recognition to tribal literature.
