Anil Kumar Boro

Anil Kumar Boro is a poet, folklorist, translator and teacher who has spent his life helping Bodo literature grow and find readers beyond Assam. In 2025 he was named for the Padma Shri in the field of literature and education, from Assam ^[1].

From Manas to Gauhati University

Boro was born on 9 December 1961 at Kahitama, near Manas National Park in Assam ^[2]. He took a master’s degree in English at Gauhati University and later a PhD in folklore research ^[2]. He began teaching English at Dimoria College in 1988, joined Gauhati University’s folklore research department in 2000, and now heads it ^[2].

Thirty books

He has written or edited more than 30 books, including poetry, criticism, novels, children’s books, travel writing and folklore studies ^[2]. His works include Folk Literature of the Bodos: An Introduction and A History of Bodo Literature, which have helped shape modern writing about Bodo literature ^[2]. His translations have brought world literature to Bodo readers ^[2].

Taking Bodo writing to the world

Boro has worked for mother-tongue education in Bodoland and helped organise the Kokrajhar Literary Festival since 2021 ^[2]. He has represented Bodo literature and folklore at conferences in Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Denmark and China ^[2].

He received the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2012, along with other literary honours ^[2].