Leader and Jatra Shilpi Biswa Bandhu Sen: A Multi-faceted Personality
Agartala Dec 27: The demise of Tripura Legislative Assembly Speaker Biswa Bandhu Sen has left a deep void not only in the state’s political landscape but also in its cultural and intellectual sphere, where his influence extended far beyond the walls of the Assembly.
Sen, a four-time elected MLA, breathed his last on Friday (Dec 26) at a private hospital in Bengaluru, where he had been undergoing treatment for more than four months. His last rites will be performed with full state honours at his native town Dharmanagar on Sunday.
The mortal remains of the late Speaker were flown to Agartala from Bengaluru on Saturday and subsequently taken to the Tripura Legislative Assembly premises at the Capital Complex. Leaders, officials and citizens from different sections of society gathered there to pay their final respects.
As he offered tributes, Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Saturday reflected on his long-standing association with Sen and said that the Speaker would continue to live on in public memory for his wisdom, commitment and leadership qualities.
Dr Saha described the passing of Biswa Bandhu Sen as an irreparable setback for the state, remembering him as a distinguished leader and an inspiring personality whose contributions played a significant role in Tripura’s progress.
Paid floral tribute to Late Biswabandhu Sen, Hon’ble Speaker of the Tripura Legislative Assembly, at the Assembly premises. Offered my respectful homage to his exemplary life and dedicated service to the people of Tripura. pic.twitter.com/F3qFGlAWNc
— Prof.(Dr.) Manik Saha (@DrManikSaha2) December 27, 2025
Apart from being a politician and social worker, Biswabandhu Sen was also known widely for his passion for literature and theatre. Sen was regarded as one of the few public figures in Tripura who seamlessly blended public life with cultural commitment. While discharging his constitutional responsibilities, he continued to nurture a lifelong engagement with creative expression, earning respect as a thinker, poet and patron of the arts.
Local artists of Dharmanagar recalled, Sen had a close association with Jatrapala, He took part in this form of traditional open-air folk theatre, and actively supported efforts to preserve and promote the age-old art form.
According to Tripura Assembly portal, “He was an Actor in Theater and Jatra Shilpi Champion in Tripura for consecutive three years”.
Apart from theatre, Sen was deeply immersed in literature and poetry. His writings reflected sensitivity toward social values, human relationships and the cultural ethos of Tripura.
Recounting the sequence of events that led to Sen’s hospitalisation, Dr Saha said that on the morning of August 8, the Speaker had visited him at his official residence in Agartala.
“He would always drop in whenever he came to Agartala and ask for a cup of tea. I would often enquire about his health,” the Chief Minister recalled.
Later that day, Sen reportedly collapsed at the Agartala railway station while preparing to travel to his hometown Dharmanagar in North Tripura. He was immediately shifted to Tripura Medical College Hospital.
After medical evaluation, doctors diagnosed a blood clot in the brain, necessitating urgent surgical intervention, Dr Saha said.
He added that Sen was transferred to another hospital through a green corridor, where surgeons successfully removed the clot. Following two days of post-operative care, he was airlifted to a Bengaluru hospital for advanced treatment in accordance with his family’s wishes.
“The courage with which he battled for life cannot be described in words. I remained in constant touch with his children almost every day. The news of his demise on Friday has caused immense personal grief to me and profound sorrow across Tripura,” the Chief Minister said.
Dr Saha said that as Speaker, Sen carried out his responsibilities with sincerity, discipline and a strong sense of duty.
“He was thoughtful and farsighted, with a deep interest in literature, culture and theatre. He was closely associated with Jatrapala, the traditional folk theatre, and was also a poet,” he added.
The Chief Minister recalled that he had known Sen since their student days at MBB College in 1971 and described him as a close friend.
Conveying his condolences, the Chief Minister prayed for eternal peace for the departed leader and extended his sympathies to the bereaved family, hoping they find strength to cope with the profound loss.
The departed leader will be cremated with full state honours at his home town Dharmanagar on Sunday.