Anil Barthakur was born in Nalbari, Assam, India in November 1928. His father, late Indreswar Barthakur was a multi-talented person, ideal teacher, actor, dramatist, painter, known is Assam as Sadhak Shilpi & Natyacharya – a teacher of drama & music. His mother late Hemangini Devi was the daughter of Surveyor Jadu Boruah of Dibrugarh.
Dr. Barthakur passed his matriculation from Nowgong Govt. High School and passed ISc. from Cotton College and admitted as a medical student in the Ist batch in Assam Medical College Dibrugarh. After graduation he started his medical practice in Jorhat & Titabor, also working as a Medical Officer in Prince of Wales Institute, Jorhat. He came to UK in 1967 and joined NHS as a General Practitioner.
Though he is a doctor by profession, Anil is an eminent artist, learnt painting, acting, dancing, and sculptures under the guidance of his father. With the help of the young members of the ‘Milito Shilpi Samaj’ (United artists’ Society) Assam, during the years 1953 to 1967 he choreographed and staged for the viewers several dance dramas depicting the day to day problems of India and possible ways of solving those problems. In those performances techniques of classical and folk dances of India helped him a lot in expressing his ideas.
In 1998, he edited his father’s complete works (Shilpir Shristi) of fine arts, dramas, poems, music, cultures of India with references to music and acting of Europe. He had those published by his father’s Memorial Trust. The book was accepted by Guwahati University, Assam, India for the research students and it was also accepted by British Library, London as a reference book in the department of Art and Culture of India. The book is selling well in Assam, India.
Dr. Barthakur is a member of Swindon Artist Society and exhibited regularly his works in spring, summer and autumn exhibitions of the Society and also he exhibited his painting in different towns and cities in UK. His next exhibition organised by Swindon Open Studios will be in the middle of September 2009.
Anil has written another book on Hand languages (Nritya Hastas) in Classical Dances of India is ready to be published. This book is highly appreciated by Sangeet Natak Academy of India and another book of Cartoons is nearly completed, ready for publication.
He always likes to make his ‘work’ very simple, so that it can be easily understood and does not need any explanation. He finds immense pleasure in his work and always likes to share it with others
Anil has since retired from General Practice & living in Swindon, Wiltshire with his wife lahori from Golaghat, Assam. His eldest son Rupam is married to Christine & have a lovely daughter Jennishanti, Middle son Goutom is married to Mridusnita (Nita) have a two year old boy Ishaan & youngest son Eamon (Bobby) is married to Urmila (Mili). All of them are very much interested with Fine Arts.
