Jyotiprasad Agarwala: A Revolutionary Cultural Architect of Twentieth Century Assam
Jyotiprasad is one of the leading cultural architects of twentieth century Assam. The life span of Jyotiprasad Agarwala (1903–51) corresponds to a historical phase of transition of Assamese and Indian society to a modern era. This phase was marked both by achievements and setbacks. The freedom movement got enriched during this phase and attained intensity through different experiments and achieved the most desired independence amid the tragedies of partition and communal cleansing. This was also a period when both the Assamese and the rest of India attained the consciousness of modern self-entity in all aspects of art, literature, science and culture. In Assam, too, which was the hinterland of colonialism, the creative and vibrant consciousness of the new age awakened the general masses. Jyotiprasad was a true representative of this age of cultural awakening of the Assamese society. The present article is an attempt to explore the revolutionary cultural philosophy of Jyotiprasad Agarwala and its relevance for social transformation.