Life Sketch of Artist Kanak Lal Swargiary

Born on October 1st, 1952, at Sarupeta Geruwapara, artist Kanak Lal Swargiary was the fourth child of Sonaram Swargiary and Sharmeshwari Swargiary. From his early childhood, he had a great interest in and was passionate about music. His scholastic years immensely described his potentialities and his talents.

He started his studies at Sarupeta High School, where along with his studies, his intense love and passion were very well showcased. From the school assembly to different cultural engagements, Swargiary Sir would overwhelm everyone with his intense love for music.

To enhance his music career, he was guided under the mentorship of the well-known singer and great artist of AIR Guwahati, Late Khagesh Bharali. Kanak Lal Swargiary passed his H.L.S.C. examination from Sarupeta High School in the year 1969.

Transitioning from teenager to adulthood, he stepped into his college life when he took admission at Guwahati Commerce College. Along with his regular studies, he also engrossed himself in the Uzanbazar Music College.

During his college years, he met great personalities such as the well-known Mandolin player Gopal Boro and music director Bhupen Uzir. A strong bond of friendship began to grow between Swargiary Sir and Gopal Boro.

Kanak Lal Swargiary succeeded in acquiring the best singer award collectively for two years (1963-1965) in his college and was also awarded a gold medal for best singer in the Inter-College Singing Competition organized by Gauhati University, bringing great prestige and honor to his college.

Under the guidance of Taffatzul Ali (then professor of the Assamese Department of G.C.C and a well-known music personality), Kanak Lal Swargiary established himself as a debut singer in AIR (All India Radio) Guwahati. During this time, he lived in Sunsali with the well-known dancer Shri Rajen Hazowari.

At that time, "Bodo Folk" music was being introduced in AIR Guwahati. With regard to this, Kanak Lal Swargiary, along with Gopal Boro, started research work on Bodo Music. As a fruit of their hard labor, Modern Bodo music was introduced for the very first time in AIR Guwahati in June or July of 1976. This was a significant contribution to Bodo Society.

In the year 1980, Kanak Lal Swargiary entered into a marital relationship with Kamala Das, an Assamese girl from Chaigaon, South Kamrup. His marriage was a testament to the intense loving bond between the Assamese and Bodos, even as disturbances were taking place in the outer world.

To live as an artist was tough in Assam, and with increasing responsibilities, Swargiary Sir decided to join the Secretariat. Despite his service life, he carried on with his music swiftly. In 1985, he also got associated with Guwahati Doordarshan Kendra.

He built his own residence at Raghunath Path in Dhirenpara, Guwahati. Although he had to be apart from active music for nearly 27 years from 1979 due to family responsibilities, he never stopped creating. He would engage himself in shaping his creations in the form of wordings whenever he got time.