[Assam] Projecting Assam-— Arup Kumar Dutta (The Assam Tribune,24.01.2009)

[Buljit Buragohain]

Projecting Assam

 — Arup Kumar Dutta 

Being
an incorrigible bibliophile, I am always thrilled to be able to acquire
new books, whether as gifts or through purchase. This new year has been
bountiful, and I have added a cartful of books to my stock. Two of
these are outstanding volumes which, because of their high price, I
would not have normally been able to buy. But the publishers have been
kind enough to have gifted them, adding to the joy.

The first of
these is Assam, Land and People, edited by Basanta Deka, an individual
who needs no introduction. It is a big and magnificent volume,
painstakingly edited and produced, an invaluable acquisition to any
book-lover’s collection, especially because it is one of those rare
books that have Assam as its motif. The concept itself is breathtaking
due to its encyclopedic nature, imparting as it does information on
almost every aspect of Assam and her ethnological, linguistic and
socio-cultural heritage.

The hardbound, 400 page edition
provides comprehensive information on the geography, history, economy
and demographic composition of the region, written by experts in the
field, incorporating elements of both past non-divided as well as
present Assam. There are individual chapters on the Brahmaputra, the
river that has shaped the destiny of the people of its valley and
adjoining mountains, and the mind boggling ethnic diversity and
anthropological identity that is the unique to the area. The book has
chapters on natural resources, including oil, gas and coal, the
wild-life parks and sanctuaries which are primary magnets for tourists,
as well as man induced resources such as tea.

There are write
ups on specialised subjects like the scientific heritage of this region
and its contribution to the pan-Indian mosaic. There is an
all-embracing treatment of our literary and cultural heritage, which
include sections on the development of the Assamese language as well as
Assamese and Bodo literature. The heritage of architecture, sculpture,
folk-lore, festivals, music, dance, drama and theatre, cinema, painting
etc. have been articulated in different chapters, while the development
of the media has been dwelt upon.

The growth of individual
national institutions such as the All Assam Students Union, the Assam
Sahitya Sabha, Srimanta Sankardev Sangha and Assam Science Society has
been traced and their contribution to the survival of the Assamese
society enunciated. Obviously, constraints of space had prevented write
ups on many of the individuals who have made their contribution to
Assamese society. Yet a select list, comprising of Srimanta Sankardev
and the Sattra institution which he built up, Lakshminath Bezboroa, the
doyen of Assamese Literature, Jyotiprasad Agarwalla, Bishnuprasad Rabha
and the musical genius Bhupen Hazarika, has been subjected to
individual treatment.

>From my own perspective, the intrinsic
value of this book has been enhanced by the chapters on esoteric assets
which are in danger of sliding into oblivion in public memory unless
kept alive in print. For instance, the flowers and fish of Assam have
been well documented. Ecological degradation has been rampant in the
area — destruction of forests has taken its toll on flora and fauna,
while human interference with water bodies has led to the extinction of
many fish-species and put species like the fresh-water dolphin in
peril. Thus the chapter on the flowers and fish of Assam will appear to
be a piece of historical writing a few decades hence!

Though
Assam silk, to which a separate chapter has been devoted, might enjoy a
longer life span, coming generations might completely forget indigenous
ornaments, the art of making them slowly dying out. A chapter on
Assamese ornaments, supplemented by one on utensils, is a valuable
component of the book. Equally interesting is the chapter on Assamese
cuisine – the new urbanised generation, habituated to hybridised
cuisine and fast-food, have become strangers to traditional Assamese
dishes, and might need to be reminded in years to come.

Each of
the pieces of writing has been complimented by a host of excellent
photographs, some extremely rare, as also pencil sketches. It is
evident that Basanta Deka and his editorial team had toiled long and
indefatigably to produce a volume that would remain a landmark in
publications from this region. Certainly, there are lacunae — for
instance, the history of road, rail and water communication, so vital
to a geographically remote region, might have merited inclusion. Yet
the positive aspects of this book obliterates any negative aspect, such
is its breath-taking scope.

The second book I was privileged to
be gifted is Janajati Samaj Sanskriti, edited by litterateur Padma
Pator. Given the rich and varied ethnic composition of Assam, replete
with unique cultures and customs, this too is an invaluable book that
provides us with insight into diverse tribal communities and their way
of life. Essays by well known authorities on numerous aspects of Bodo,
Karbi, Mising, Tiwa, Bodo-Kachari, Sonowal Kachari, Dimasa, Garo,
Thengal-Kachari, Rabha, Tai, Hajong, Deuri-Chutiya etc. tribal
communities have made this book a rich compendium.

The book not
only traces their historical roots, but also paints intimate pictures
of the communities, and acquaints the reader with their socio-cultural
ways, folk-cultural entities like dance and music, folk-lore and
festivals. There are extremely interesting sections on dress, folk-art
and folk-music, social and religious customs, particularly during
important occasions such as marriage. Lack of space prevents me from
dwelling on length at the extraordinary value of this publication.
Suffice to say that it is an important addition to the scarce printed
material on the wonderful, though sadly vanishing, ways of life in
diverse tribal communities that go to make the Assamese race. One can
only hope that the publishers will take the trouble of having the book
translated into English so that interested readers outside Assam can
savour its fare.

In my humble way I have, through my writings,
tried to project Assam and the unique socio-cultural phenomenon she
represents to readers outside Assam. The impulse had been triggered by
my awareness of the paucity of comprehensive, yet non-academic and
readable books, as also the abysmal ignorance of outsiders about this
region. Even today, six decades after India’s independence, such
ignorance remains, as does the paucity of material about Assam’s
historical and cultural heritage and her contribution to the Indian
legacy. This is unfortunate, for the ignorance and indifference of the
rest of India is to a great extent responsible for the sense of
alienation palpable in the North-East. I believe books such as Assam,
Land and People and Janajati Samaj Sanskriti will go a long way to make
good such shortfall, thereby contributing to outside awareness.

 (The Assam Tribune,24.01.2009)


Cover page and few information on the book "Assam: Land and People"

http://importantnews.bihu.in/2818/



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