My mind towards Assamese Literature was literally like an Axanto Electron. (The electron is a subatomic particle carrying a negative electric charge. It has no known components or substructure. Therefore, the electron is generally thought to be an elementary particle.) Coming from an English medium school I hadn’t read anything Assamese apart from my course work all my life. SKC is responsible for turning it around. Quite late in life, I asked my friend Aporaj to suggest me an Assamese book to read. Prompt came the answer. Suran Medhi’s work. I was like... Who? And why would you suggest reading his books.
Now Aporaj being a calm and composed poet friend as well as an avid reader not to mention, a huge fan of SKC gave me a “prolonged summary” of his work and narrated some of SKC’s book scenes to me. I decided to give it a go. The first story I read was Gulam. My mum, my biggest critique and rock in life after Deuta, saw me reading SKC’s book. A sarcastic smile followed by her saying... Make sure you finish the book. Reading a signboard and completing a book are two different things. Yes it was hard in the beginning and it took me twice the time to read a page in Assamese but then... language is practice. The more you speak and read, the easier it becomes. Maa is also an avid reader of Assamese Literature and I often felt left out when she discussed about her books with her friends. I am still learning and enjoying the richness Assamese Literature has to offer.
I was hooked on SKC. I smuggled Aporaj to Panbazar and instructed him to get me the best SKC’s books and I dutifully carried them back home to London. Manoj Goswami once told me that he requested SKC to write a New Year peice for his then Axomia newspaper. SKC was reluctant and later Eta Bhaal Khobor was on the papers on one new year’s day. Altaf Da made a short film out of it , When I watched it, I was gobsmacked to see the impact, the subtleness and the beauty of narrating a story. A very well made film . I liked the angel Altafda chose for the film. I also liked the fact that SKC was subtle and was thrilled that he used a pseudo name. I write my blogs as Rukmini Boigari. Why? Well why not? It isn’t necessary for people to know you as long as they read what you wrote. A journalist once asked my=e why I chose the name. Rukmini gave from North East and I came from the same part of the world and Boiragi is a surname is secretly loved to have. It sounds like a song. Beautiful. In real life I cannot us it for that became my pseudo name. The fact that SKC writes under different name gave me a kick. Not that I am comparing him with me for that will be preposterous.
Every Time I visit Guwhaati, I am tempted to ask Altaf Da to introduce me to SKC but I shy off the idea and tell myself- Bublee Toi Jugyo Nohoi. You are not worth enough to meet such a persona. But deep in my mind I connected with him and had immense respect for his work. His passing away news came hit me like a bolt out of the blue through his Facebook SKC Fan Group. I was not prepared as I was not aware that he was ailing.
25th June is a very special and private day for me for its that day when my idol and The biggest inspiration in my life, Deuta passed away... four years ago. It is spooky that SKC passed away on the very day day. I felt as though somewhere in ether he connected with me and gave me his blessings which I couldn’t get in flesh and blood. People like him should not be mourned for he will live forever. Eti Londonor Duporiyat,bagisat rod loi moi Apunak shrodhanjali jonalu. Ehaat dobar khelor dore, hothaht apunar dehatu hera kintu apuniye hol Asomor Baputi Sahun.
Police on Tuesday have arrested a high level officer of the state animal husbandry and veterinary department accusing him of killing a deer at the Amchang Reserved Forest. According to information, deputy director of the department Dr Shivaji Baruah was arrested after he was caught red handed over by local residents of Amchang. Eyewitness said a few local residents early in the morning spotted two persons carrying a deer inside a sack after it was killed. When they were asked they cited Dr baruah’s name who was waiting to lift the deer on a car. Then the people reached Dr Baruah who was waiting for his two associates on his car bearing No AS -01-T-5767 also managed to escape from the...
The Centre has a scheme worth Rs 96,59,00,000 for conservation and development of altogether 135 sattra in Assam, mostly, in Majuli.Disclosing this, Union minister for tourism informed the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday that the Centre has received a detailed project proposal for conservation and development of 135 sattra was received from the Assam Government.She also said these institutions have been identified in the Ist Phase of the Scheme for their development adding that the project proposal has been forwarded to Planning Commission for its consideration.The ministry of culture has suggested constitution of an Expert Group consisting of eminent members from various fields such as Archeology...
Fifty new members to Rajya Sabha, including three from Assam were sworn in today by Chairman Hamid Ansari. The MPs from Assam who took the oath were Congress candidate and Assam Congress president Bhubneswar Kalita, BPP(H) leader Biswajit Doimary and AGP candidate and former Union minister Birendra Prasad Baishya. Ansari welcomed the newly elected members and said he looked forward to their contribution towards enriching the traditions of the House.
A civilian was killed during a joint operation against ULFA by police and CRPF in Moranhat under Sivasagar district on Monday. According to information, acting on some input, Moranhat police and CRPF with the help of a few surrendered ULFA militants conducted a raid at Rangali Himpora gaon. Police and CRPF raided the house of Dulen Baruah with the input that a few ULFA cadres were staying at his house. As soon as they reached Dulen Baruah’s house, they started indiscriminate firing and Baruah who was inside thee died on the spot. Later police picked up three youths namely Simanta Baruah, Hitesh Konwar and Jiban Baruah for ULFA link. Police have claimed to have recovered recovered an...
Noted litterateur and peace broker Mamoni Roisom Goswami has said that ULFA has again expressed its desire to revive the peace process. Talking to a private satellite news channel Goswami said ULFA commander –in-Chief Paresh Baruah conveyed his outfit’s willingness for talk while he was talking to her over telephone. But she said the question of sovereignty has still to be considered. She urged the banned outfit to shun the path of violence for a peaceful Assam. Notably, addressing a bihu function on Sunday, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi appealed the misguided youths to eschew the path of violence from this year saying it will help the people get a healthy and wealthy state.
Assam is celebrating Rongali bihu on Monday with much pomp and gaiety. Today is Bor bihu. Elders are being honoured with bihuwans which include gamucha, hachati and a cheleng seeking blessings from them. The young ones are also blessed for well being for the year which begins on Monday. The sounds drums, pipes and flutes are making the Rongali bihu celebration more colourful.Rongghar premises: The entire Rang ghar premises in the outskirt of the historic Sivasagar district has turned into a mini Assam on Monday while people of all castes and communities thronged in thousands to showcase their rich cultural heritage. The grand function began with the huchari participated by 100 dancing girls...
Assam is celebrating its much-vaunted Rongali bihu from Sunday with a clarion call to the misguided youths to eschew the path of violence. Sunday was garu bihu. Cattle in large number across the state were taken to the rivers for puja offering with traditional favour in the morning.Bihu functions also started from Sunday morning. Participating in the Latashil Bihu function in the morning Chief minister Tarun Gogoi appealed to the misguided youths to shun the path of violence to make Assam a haven of peace. He also hoped that the bihu celebrations will clear the path of a peaceful and progressive Assam. He participated in the bihu huchai by dancing and beating a drum for sometimes.Another...
Former President of Asom Sahitya Sabha Dr. Nagen Saikia has been awarded the prestigious Assam Valley Literary award 2007 by the most celebrated Hindi Poet, Critic, translator Ashok Bajpaeyi at a function organized at ITA Machkhowa in Guwahati on 12-04-08. Pix by UB Photos.
Bangladesh has denied the presence of ULFA commander in chief Paresh Baruah but virtually admitted that the most wanted man was very much there. Addressing press joint conference on Saturday in Delhi, Bangladesh Rifles Director general Major General Sakil Ahmed said the ULFA chief “is no longer” on the soil of Bangladesh indirectly admitted that he was there very much.On its side, BSF handed over a list of 117 northeast militant camps operating on Bangladesh soil to its Bangladeshi counterpart and also asked them to hand over ULFA chief Paresh Barua.BSF has claimed Barua is hiding in Bangladesh. But Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) chief Major General Shakil Ahmed emphatically stated...
If winter comes can spring be far behind? This is what Assam is in for. The much vaunted Rongali Bihu is back on her lap. it is evident from the tender leaves in the trees, flowers in bloom with fragrance. The rivers which have lost their prime are regaining their strength. Guests birds are also back to the state to make the bringing of a new Assamese year more colourful. Colourful in her beauty and bountry and colourful in songs and dances. Assam is all set to celebrate its Rongali bihu from Sunday across the state by the people living in the ivory towers to those in the humble cottages because it the Rongali Bihu....thier much-vaunted bihu. The celebration will begin with Goru bihu...
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