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A Cultural Homecoming of Poetic Grace Mumbai, August 2025 *Sanka subhra devbarman* “Tripura’s Soul Echoes in Maharashtra”
The city of dreams welcomed a soul of words as one of contemporary India’ revered author-poets from Tripura, North East India graced Mumbai with his presence—an occasion that stirred literary hearts, invoked nostalgia, and inspired a renewed dialogue on language, identity, and unity. He is Sankha Subhra Devbarman, a noted poet and Novelist of North East India; winner of Times of India award for literature and was recently awarded by the Times Now TV channel in the literary category of GEMS OF NORTH EAST INDIA. Born into a family of scholars, he grew into a literary force who blended classical sensibilities with modern thought—crafting poetry that sings, and prose that stirs.
Family-wise, Sankha Subhra Devbarman shares a deep and enduring emotional connection with the vibrant city of Mumbai, often referred to as the tinsel city. This bond is rooted in the illustrious legacy of his family, particularly the legendary Music Maestro Sachin Devbarman, who hailed from the same clan and achieved widespread recognition and fame in this very city. The legacy of musical excellence did not stop with Sachin Devbarman; it was carried forward by his son, the equally talented Rahul Devbarman, affectionately known as Pancham. For Sankha Subhra Devbarman, this historical and emotional tie to Mumbai is a source of immense pride and excitement, tracing back to the time when Sachin Devbarman first arrived in the city and made it his home.
It is worth noting that Sachin Dev Burman, the iconic music composer, spent a significant portion of his life in Mumbai, where he created some of his most memorable works. His residence, a bungalow named “Jet,” was situated on Linking Road in the bustling suburb of Bandra. A chowk near his former home has been named “Kumar Sachin Dev Burman Chowk,” located at the intersection of Khar Pali Road and 14th Road in Khar (West). This tribute stands as a testament to his enduring influence on the cultural fabric of Mumbai. Similarly, Rahul Devbarman, Sachin Devbarman’s gifted son, also made Mumbai his home, residing in the Maryland area of Santa Cruz (West). His house was near the junction of North Avenue Road and Jain Derasar Road, a location that holds special significance for his fans and admirers. In honour of his contributions to music and his connection to the city, the junction near his residence has been named “R.D. Burman Chowk.
This gesture reflects the deep respect and admiration the city holds for the Devbarman family.Every year, fans of Rahul Devbarman, along with members of the Pancham Club, make pilgrimages to his former residence in Mumbai to pay their respects and celebrate his legacy. These visits highlight the lasting impact of the Devbarman family on the city and its people, reinforcing the emotional and cultural ties that bind them to Mumbai. The city, in turn, continues to honor their contributions through these named landmarks, ensuring that their legacy remains alive in the hearts of music lovers and the broader community.
Sankha Subhra Devbarman takes great pride in sharing an interesting anecdote about Ramesh Tendulkar, who chose to name his son after the legendary music director, Sachin Dev Burman. This decision was a tribute to Tendulkar’s admiration for the iconic composer. Over time, the young boy named Sachin grew up to achieve extraordinary success, eventually becoming one of the most celebrated and revered cricketers in the history of the sport. Sankha Devbarman highlights this unique connection to emphasize how Mumbai, the city where Sachin Tendulkar rose to fame, shares a meaningful and noteworthy link with Tripura, the place associated with Sachin Dev Burman Thus, according to Sankha Devbarman’s account, the bond between Mumbai and Tripura is not just incidental but holds a deeper significance rooted in this shared legacy.
Sankha subhra Devbarman has deep admiration for Marathi literature which boasts a rich history, with its earliest works dating back around 2000 years. He says that Marathi literature is one of the oldest literary traditions among Indian languages, encompassing a wide range of genres from religious and philosophical texts to poetry, novels, and more. The language itself evolved from Vedic Sanskrit, with evidence of written Marathi literature emerging in the 13th century during the Yadav dynasty’s rule.
Poet and Novelist Devbarman’s contribution:
A Global Voice with Deep Indian Roots Internationally, this literary icon has represented Indian poetry on esteemed platforms in various countries , His works are part of curriculum in multiple South Asian literature departments abroad and have earned acclaim for their lyrical beauty, social depth, and universal appeal. From sonnets on solitude to searing commentaries on social justice, his contributions have transcended borders. He has been honoured with multiple awards, international recognitions for poetic diplomacy, and has served as a cultural envoy for Indian literature in Southeast Asia.
Amid recent media storms surrounding language-based trolling in Maharashtra, the poet delivered a calm yet powerful public statement during his reading at MUMBAI : “A language is a river—it flows through hearts, not headlines. Marathi, Hindi, Urdu, Gujarati—each adds to the fragrance of our shared garden. Let us not tear it apart with fences of ego and fear.” He appealed to artists, media professionals, and youth to resist divisive rhetoric and champion linguistic coexistence—a message that drew applause from a cross-section of the city’s thinkers.
