Writing Fellowship

The Munin Barkotoki Memorial Trust instituted the Munin Barkotoki Writing Fellowships from the year 2025 with the purpose of producing high quality, time-bound book manuscripts, in Assamese or in English, on themes pertaining to Assam’s languages, literature or culture. Up to three fellowships will be awarded every year to Indian citizens less than 50 years of age. Each of these fellowships carry a stipend of ₹1,20,000 payable in four instalments spread over a maximum of 18 months.

For the Guidelines of the Munin Barkotoki Writing Fellowship Programme, click here.

The first two Writing Fellowships were awarded in 2025 to Dr. Meghna Choudhury and Mr. Arup Shandilya for their book proposals titled ‘Elephants of Assam: Culture, Ecology and Collective Memory’ and ‘Asamor Krishi, Sanskriti aaru Parampara’ respectively.

1995: Dr. Robin Sarma (Panchar Pacali) and Sibananda Kakoti (Amrytyu Amrit) [both short story collections];

1996: Lutfa Hanum Selima Begum (Saujiya Bat Ati...) [poetry collection] and Dr. Bringeswar Sarma (Kamakhya Pharmacit sarijon bandhu ) [short story collection];

1997: Anubhav Tulasi (Duroon Phool) [poetry collection];

1998: Kula Saikia (Akharat Moi aru Anyanya) [short story collection];

1999: Bitupon Borbora (Muro Ata Sapon Asil) [short story collection] and Rajiv Barua (Panir Ghar) [poetry collection];

2000: Mausumi Kandali (Lambada Nasor Sesat) [short story collection] and Dipak Kr. Gogoi & Pankaj Jyoti Bhuyan (Istantik) [collection of plays];

2001: Nabanita Gogoi (Sa Poharat Akale) [short story collection] and Munin Bayan (Kitap aru Sanlap) [collection of essays];

2002: Hemanga Kumar Dutta (Athaba) and Ganga Mohan Mili (Nadi Manuhar Thikona) [both poetry collections] ;

2003: Kushal Dutta (Ilektronik Sarai) and Manoj Borpujari (Amlakhi Gasar Suhuri) ; [both poetry collections];

2004: Manikuntala Bhattacharjee (Prastar Kanya) and Monalisa Saikia (Punar Janamloi Tejimola) [both short-story collections];

2005: Monica Devi (Priya Alap) and Dhrubajyoti Sarma (Deep) ; [both short story collections]

2006: Ajit Gogoi (Ronga Jethi) [poetry collection] and Abdus Samad (Boi Jai Chompaboti)[novel]

2007: Anamika Bora (Jolasai) [short story collection] and Bijoy Sankar Barman (Deo) [poetry collection];

2008: Geetali Bora (Sambhavata) [short story collection] and Kamal Kumar Tanti (Marangburu Amar Pita) [poetry collection];

2009: Diganta Oza (Sandhikhanat Manuh) [collection of critical prose pieces] and Ratna Bharali Talukdar (Ghar Ghar Kheliba Aha) [short story collection].

2010: Ruplekha Devi (Anyatra Birala Devi) [novel] and Arup Kumar Nath (Saud aru Anyanya Galpa) [short story collection].

2011: Arindam Barkataki (Anushilan) [collection of critical essays] and Rashmirekha Bora (Singorajanor Rupkotha) [short story collection]. The award money has been raised to Rs. 30,000 for the year 2011.

2012: Sanjib Pol Deka (Ei Pine Ki Aase) [story collection] and Sharmistha Pritam (Aatmakatha) [autobiography ]. The award money had been raised to Rs. 35,000 for the year 2012.

2013: Mridul Haloi (Akole Aaso Kushale Aaso) [poetry collection] and Apu Bharadwaj (Mostiskar Cinema) [story collection]. The cash amount has been raised to Rs. 40,000 for the year 2013. A special mention was given to Chandana Pathak for her short story collection (Antir Goli).*

2014: Tulika Saikia ( Charixal Gosanir Tez) [Novel] and Dibyajyoti Bora (Topanit) [Poetry collection ]. The award money had been raised to Rs. 45,000 for the year 2014.

The award was renamed the Munin Barkotoki Literary Award from 2015.

2015: Jyoti Khataniyar ( Iman Xaral Ne Chegun Dudal) [manuscript, literary criticism] and Pratim Barua (Aru Niravata) [Poetry collection ]. The award has been renamed as the Munin Barkotoki Literary Award from this year and the award money has been raised to Rs. 50,000.

2016: Bhaskar Thakuria (Singhadwar) [Novel].

2017: Dalim Das (Hari Jadu Madhu) [Short Story Collection].

2018: Dr. Debabhuson Borah (Nirboson) [Literary Criticism].

2019: Ankur Ranjan Phukan ( ৎ ) [manuscript, poetry] and Monoranjan Bori (Moh-Jokh ) [manuscript, short story collection].

2020: Abhijit Bora (Deuka kubai jai) [manuscript, short story collection].

2021: Pradyumna Kumar Gogoi (Choki aru anyanya Galpa) [short story collection].

2022: Upasana Saikia (Halodhiya Jota ) [manuscript, short story collection].

2023: Nayanjyoti Sarma (Jale kota Jui ) [short story collection].

2024: Papari Barman (Poruwa Puhoniya ) [short story collection].

* A special mention was also given to Pankaj Kumar Dutta in 2013 for his short story collection Fugu Masor Maasuoi. Dutta returned the certificate and prize money in 2020.