#AssameseLiterature

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‘Gulzar is a part of my creative journey’-Namrata Datta

‘Growing up, Gulzar's lyrics were not just melodies to me; they were an intimate connection etched into my heart. As a singer, his compositions echoed through my childhood, and I found myself frequently humming his tunes. However, it wasn't just the music that captivated me; it was the enchantment woven into his words. This profound admiration for Gulzar's artistry sparked my interest in exploring his literary world, leading me to his book, 'Actually I met them.' To my astonishment, the journey took an unexpected turn when Sanjay Kumar Sanyal, a respected producer at Assam Publishing Company, presented me with a unique opportunity – to translate Gulzar's book into Assamese. The outcome was the Assamese rendition named 'Smritir Manuhbor.' The unveiling ceremony was graced by Mumbai's screenplay writer and director, Akashaditya Lama, alongside Kolkata's Ranjan Ghosh.’

Subham Panseshwar delved into a conversation with Namrata Datta about the book and her fascinating journey of creativity.

Q: How did your foray into writing begin?

Namrata: My journey into writing commenced during my school days, although initially, I never envisioned sharing my creations with the world. Singing occupied the forefront of my pursuits at that time. After marriage, a serendipitous encounter with La Rochefoucauld's 'Maxim' ignited an unplanned translation journey, fueled by a growing attachment to the book.

Fate intervened when I met Mr Jiten Deka, a senior publisher from Nalbari, who, after a brief discussion about books, requested a manuscript. His unwavering confidence became a pivotal catalyst. Completing the translation and handing it over to him, I soon discovered a report in the weekly newspaper Sadin, acknowledging the Assamese translation of 'Maxim' by me. It was a report by Bedabrat Bora. This unexpected recognition was a gratifying milestone.

Q: Tell us about your original writing.

Namrata: Inspired by Keshab Mahanta's Assamese lyrics, I harboured a fervent desire to unravel the untold stories behind those melodious tunes. Approaching him, he generously agreed to share his insights, culminating in the creation of 'Priyatama ei Jivan.' The book garnered positive feedback. Additionally, I authored a novel titled 'Kathopakatha,' derived from a distinctive Sunday program I conceptualized for a local FM channel. It was a fictional narrative in the form of conversation. Curated songs were inserted in between the conversation to enhance the situation and the mood of the narrative. Rituparna Das, a distinguished broadcaster and playwright-director, lauded the program's form and content. Later, I expanding this concept into a novel. Mr Das hosted the book release event. Pervez Ahmed, a filmmaker, and my school friend, even translated parts of the novel into an English film under the title ‘Cherrypicker’, now available on mxplayer.

Q: You wrote a book on Assamese Lyrics and the Freedom movement. Could you share more about this book?

Namrata: This book emerged from a research project that earned me a Senior Fellowship from the Indian Government's Department of Culture. Titled 'Reflection of India's Freedom Movement in Assamese Lyrics,' it proved to be a laborious yet profoundly fulfilling undertaking.

Q: What about your book on Modoji's Maan Ki Baat?

Namrata: The concept for this book originated from Sanjay Kumar Sanyal. We meticulously selected excerpts from Modiji's 'Mann Ki Baat,' focusing on social responsibility, community development, success stories, and innovative ideas evident in his speeches. I firmly believe these speeches unveil the leader's inner spirit, philosophy, and administrative approaches. The resulting book, titled 'Mor Priya Deshbashi,' is an essential read for those seeking to understand the man behind the Prime Minister.

Let me add one line more, I translated some poems by GulzarJi and those were published in book form by a prestigious publication house of Assam- Journal Emporium. The title of the book is ‘Gulzaror Kabita’ (Poems by Gulzar). That was probably first translation of Gulzar in Assamese book form.

Beyond her writing journey, her career has taken diverse paths, from being a casual announcer and news reader at Akaswani and Doordarshan to transitioning into private TV channels and FM radio. She has also worked in newspapers and magazines. Presently, her active involvement in social work. Her projects includes co-authoring a book with my husband - , titled 'Pati, Patni and Bandhabi (Man, woman and Girl Friend).' And household hacks for working women titled Gharuwa Diha (Household Tips).

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[thewhimsybookworm]

Book 124 of 2021. My next read for #IndianBooksinAugust took to me Assam. A place I've been a few times in the last year (all via books, obviously). It's a place I've come to love and understand. Aren't books wonderful? Perfect ways to understand people, cultures and history? Even conflict and strife are made more personal through the lives of characters you grow to care about. You find yourself worrying about someone being repeatedly questioned by the cops. You feel your heart racing when you're in the middle of the jungle with young men, who've given up the comfort of home and stability, all in the name of revolution. Books pull you in and take you body and soul into a world that you've known only through the News (if at all). You know this story. You know these words- Insurgency, armed conflict, revolutionaries, dissent, killings, torture, TADA... To see the lives (even if fictional) affected by these conflicts is something else and necessary. I read this book with a building sense of dread. A sweeping sense of despair and maybe a sliver of hope. . . . #whimsybookworm2021reads #translatedbooks #bibliophile #booksofinstagram #booksbooksbooks #bookreviews #booknerdigans #booklovers #bookstagram #unitedbookstagram #litwithindianlit #indianliterature #assameseliterature #indianbookstagrammer #alwaysreading #review (at India) https://www.instagram.com/p/CS8pav8Jk8q/?utm_medium=tumblr

[assamnews]

Utpal Datta's 'Aparupa Andaman': A Paradigm Shift in Assamese Travel Writing

By Shubham Pancheshwar

Utpal Datta, a prominent film critic in India, is widely recognized for his contributions to cinema discourse. However, his first major published work was not a film critique but rather a travelogue, titled 'Aparupa Andaman.' This travelogue set a new trend in Assamese travel writing and challenged established norms.

The impending release of the second edition of 'Aparupa Andaman' is a testament to the enduring appeal of Datta's travelogue. The first edition was published in 1993 and achieved instant popularity due to its unique destination and the vibrant narrative style employed by the author. The publisher of the book was Purbanchal Prakash and the same publication house is coming up with the second edition.

At the time of its release, 'Aparupa Andaman' captured the imagination of readers, primarily because of its destination and youthful narrative style. The Andaman Islands, a remote and exotic location, piqued the curiosity of readers seeking to embark on a vicarious journey. Moreover, Datta's narrative style, characterized by its youthful exuberance, further heightened the book's appeal. Prior to 'Aparupa Andaman,' Assamese travel literature was primarily the domain of socially significant individuals, and their writings maintained a predominantly serious and somber tone. Utpal Datta's travelogue represented a departure from these conventions. It showcased that even an ordinary individual could embark on a journey and craft a travelogue that resonated with readers. This pivotal shift encouraged a wave of common people to share their travel experiences through the written word, democratizing the genre.

While 'Aparupa Andaman' found resonance with readers, it largely evaded the attention of literary critics. Datta himself provides an explanation for this phenomenon, stating that the book deliberately deviated from the established norms of travelogue writing, resulting in a narrative that was radically different. Critics found themselves in a perplexing position, unsure of how to evaluate the book. As a result, they refrained from offering substantive critique. Furthermore, the book's subsequent disappearance from print contributed to its obscurity, rendering it inaccessible to newer generations of literary critics.

In a discussion, Datta elaborated on this aspect: "This book had not followed the set norms of travelogue writing. It was radically different. I feel the critics failed to understand the essence of the new narrative; they were in a puzzle—what to comment on—good or bad? So, they avoided commenting on the book. The new critics do not know about this book as it was out of print."

In a notable revelation, Utpal Datta disclosed his aspiration to transform 'Aparupa Andaman' into a travel film. This dream, though unrealized thus far, continues to fuel his creative ambitions. The notion of translating his narrative into cinematic form underscores the enduring influence of his travelogue and the potential for multimedia adaptation.

‘Aparupa Andaman' stands as a seminal work in Assamese travel literature. Its departure from conventional norms, the democratization of travel writing, and dream of transformation into a film attest to its enduring significance. The second edition release promises to rekindle interest in this transformative piece of travel literature and its potential as a source of cinematic inspiration.

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