Assam: Eminent academician, singer Birendranath Datta dies at 88
Guwahati (PTI): Eminent academician, singer and lyricist Birendranath Datta died on Monday at a hospital here following a prolonged illness, his family said.
He was 88 and is survived by his wife, son and two daughters.
Datta was suffering from various old-age ailments for long and was admitted to the hospital recently.
A recipient of the Padma Shri in the field of art and literature in 2009, Datta began his career as an academician at B Barooah College here and went on to teach at different colleges of the state, before retiring as the head of the department of Folklore Research of Gauhati University.
After his retirement, he joined Tezpur University as a professor in the Department of Traditional Culture and Art Forms.
An eminent lyricist, Datta penned several songs and even sang many of those, with 'Bohu din bokuler gundh puwa nai' being one of his most popular numbers.
He was also the president of Assam's premier literary organisation Asam Sahitya Sabha for two terms from 2003 and a life member of the Gauhati Artists' Guild.
An author of repute, some of his prominent books include 'Cultural Contours of Northeast India' and 'Sankar Madhavar Manisha Aru Asomar Sanaskritic Uttaradhikare', among others.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, in his condolence message, said the news of the demise of the eminent researcher of linguistics and culture has left a great void in the arena of culture, art and music.
"I pray for the eternal peace of the soul of the former president of Asam Sahitya Sabha and extend my deepest condolences to the members of the bereaved family," he added.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
'The Ba**ds of Bollywood’ mirrors my life, damages my reputation: Sameer Wankhede tells Delhi HC
New Delhi: IRS officer Sameer Wankhede has submitted his reply to the Delhi High Court in the defamation case he filed against Red Chillies Entertainment, the production company owned by actor Shah Rukh Khan. The case pertains to the recently released series The Ba**ds of Bollywood*, which Wankhede claims has defamed him.
In his statement to the court, Wankhede asserted that the show’s portrayal of a police officer is clearly based on him and has caused serious harm to his public image. He cited four key reasons supporting his claim.
First, he said the character in question bears physical similarities to him, including facial and body features. Second, he noted that the character’s working style and mannerisms closely resemble his own.
Third, Wankhede highlighted that the officer in the show is depicted making a high-profile arrest involving a major film personality, which he said directly mirrors his own involvement in the Aryan Khan drug case.
Fourth, he pointed out that the character frequently uses the phrase “Satyameva Jayate,” a motto he himself had used during media interactions in the course of that investigation. He argued that using the national motto in such a context cannot be dismissed as creative expression or humour.
Wankhede also referred to an interview in which Aryan Khan allegedly admitted that the show was “inspired by some real events.” This, he said, contradicts Red Chillies Entertainment’s claim that The Ba**ds of Bollywood* is purely fictional.
He further alleged that the tone and intent of the series indicate personal and institutional vendetta, aimed at discrediting and defaming him rather than engaging in artistic storytelling.
Wankhede informed the court that the fallout from the show has affected his family, with his wife and sister receiving abusive and vulgar messages online.
Rejecting Red Chillies’ argument that he is a “thin-skinned” officer, Wankhede said that a public servant cannot be expected to tolerate false and damaging portrayals simply because of his position. He emphasized that his legal action seeks to protect the constitutional rights and dignity of both himself and his family.
