Kamini Kumar Narzary also known as Ostad Kamini Kumar Narzary was an Indian dramatist, folk singer, director, stage performer, social worker and one of the 20th century leading cultural activists from the Bodo community.
He was born on 9th November 1926 to the Bodo speaking family Bajaram Narzary and Thongali Narzary at Bamunkhura village of Gosaigaon sub-division under Goalpara district (Now Kokhrajhar district). His mother Thongali was very expert in telling stories and traditional dances of the Bodos.
Kamini was studied at Kamalsingh MV School. But he was not interested in study anymore. He selected his career for cultural activities. He had interested in acting and direction in Jatra Gaon, the traditional theater in Bodo society. At the age of 18, he married to Khousalya from Ballimari village of Gosaigaon. They had two sons.
Narzary deeply dedicated his whole life for teaching Jatra Gaon and performing arts. He teaches Raja Nilambar, a famous play in Bodo literature that written by well-known Bodo dramatist Dharendranath Basumatary.
Kamini Kumar Narzary was a good thinker for development of Bodo society. He wanted to lift up Bodo community, so that he dedicated his whole life for Bodo society and gives his best contributions towards society as well.
At the very young age he was inspired and motivated from the Bodo personalities Rupnath Brahma, Madaram Brahma, Bishnu Prasad Rabha and Dr. Bhupen Hazorika as well. He was closely related to Boroni Ansai Afad, the first cultural organisation among the Bodo society which was formed in 1951. He was also the founder of Demglai Khristi Afad formed in 1951 at Bhatarmari village of Kokhrajhar district.
As a folk singer, he sung Bodo folk song at All India Radio, Guwahati in 1955. In the same year he was also participated with Bodo dancing girls in Delhi and shows Bodo traditional dances like Bagurumba, Bardwisikhla and marriage dance.
He traveled to different parts of Assam and taught traditional Bodo dances, folk songs, and how to play instruments like the serja, siphung, jotha, khum, and more. He always encouraged everyone to value Bodo culture and to help share it with others. Thousands of young Bodo men and women improved their dancing and got inspired by his guidance and advice.
In 1957, during Indian Republic Day celebration in Delhi he again shows Bodo traditional dance Bagurumba. Then, the beautiful Bodo traditional dance Bagurumba was declared as one of the wonderful national dances of India sub-continent.
Kamini Kumar Narzary was very expert in cultural activities like direction, dance, choreograph, performing, playing flute, serja, harmonium etc. He was breathed his last on 16th May 1998 at the age of 71.
•He was awarded Sangeet Natak Academy Award in 1981 by the Government of India for his exceptional contributions to the tribal culture.
•He awarded the Silphi Pension in 1981 by the Government of Assam.