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Review
of Hidden Love
An
Amazing Endeavour
- Hridayananda Gogoi
The style of developing a story, handling a subject
of delicate importance, and starting a work of fiction into a book form is
not only a strong step, but also a difficult task for a writer of fourteen
years old. In such an age normally most teenagers choose some other things
of their choice. But Angshumita Deka, a student of class VIII of Holy Child
School, Guwahati has opted the first choice and made a laudable
contribution offering her ever first fiction Hidden Love. The basics
of the book is based on a delicate issue, a kind of superstitions, and its
significance lies in the poignant treatment that she had had with maturity
and tremendous hard labor.
The primary focus she has delivered is meant to
highlight the ghostly believes, inhumane social injustice and to identify
the innermost tune of a mother. With a mature outlook Angshumita has
grasped the sensibilities of the mother, the believed witch Padma who
failed to express her anguish of losing a child. She has overviewed the
feelings and realizations of Padma through Riniki. In other words, Riniki
is the self of the writer who has acquired adequate norms in finding out
truth and goodness to her innocent heart. Her process of unfolding hidden
aspects is quite receptive to her characters too. Obviously this indicates
her control over all features of the story. The landscape she has painted
for, even in a compact form, is enough to figure everything required for
the development of the story. The Ratanpur, the origins of the story is a
common place where, even in the time of space-home and e-age, people never
ever had experienced a modern outlook. The writer depicts several
consequences and occurrences of this backward place, although had history
of freedom fighters like Ramnath. The depiction of those days with Ramnath
indicates how the process of witch-hunting has been simply plaguing the
society. And there remains no one to hear the voice of a woman.
Her language, mood of expression, narration
and over all her presentation exceeds in a significant way. Some times while
she goes on in narrating, she follows such a finer craftsmanship that could
easily remind not of her age but of her ability and growing upheavals. The
characterization and dealings with the situations has not only empowered
the momentum of the story, but also brings promises of the writer in the
future. The characters like Dhaneshwari, great grandfather, Riniki and
Padma are round in their fields whereas Param, Pakhi, Ramnath etc. are flat
in their performances. But the most important aspect is that such
characters are tightly blended with sensitive feelings.
The deep pathos evoked towards Padma articulates
how the young writer has easily touched the vibrant feelings of others.
Actually the poignant aspect of a woman’s life has been illustrated through
Padma. She has sacrificed her life without getting proper justice. The
contempt against the dominative attitude of man and the conservative
society is no less. But she, even her husband, is helpless in front of
prevailing circumstances. Therefore, the sufferers, her children, had got
nothing at last. The writer, in a brief manner has depicted miserable days
of Padma and brought her as if the last victim of such witch-hunting. The
inferno experienced by Padma and the result out of the negative social verdict
given by the head of the village could not be engulfed with other social
circumstances. The irony of this society is that such evil deeds are to be
highlighted by fourteen years old budding talents like Angshumita.
Although, the subject is very common, and still prevailing, nobody dares to
question in such way as Angshumita has done. Her approach towards life can
even put the so-called guardians of the society to shame.
Thus, the significance of the book lies in its
humanism. The feminine self within the writer with its maturity has impact
on some of her female characters. Her optimistic perspective towards life
is noteworthy. Her bold courage makes it clear that she hasn’t ignored
faults of society. She has given a human touch to such issues. There is a wide
range of scope for her to explore and experiment numerous subjects related
to life. We hope to see more matured creations of this emerging fiction
writer in the coming days. Leading publishing house The Visual Image
has brought this particular fiction work. I personally feel that through
this Hidden Love the publisher has made a commendable contribution
in highlighting the maiden plight of a gifted writer. Congratulations
Angshumita.
This writer can be contacted at hridayanandagogoi@gmail.com
and through: www.asianviews.net
Rita Choudhury’s
Significant Work
'Deolungkhui'
The Vital Message
- Hridaynanda Gogoi
Rita Choudhury has attained a unique place in the history of Assamese
novels through her significant work 'Deolungkhui'. This particular novel,
published last year, has also marked her transition into a higher position.
The novel received wide acclaim. Her latest novel is 'Jahnabi'. Though very
short in length and centered around only one plot, it depicts an important
issue that now draws attention throughout the world--the consequences that
have arisen because of the militancy. The conflict between good and evil
gets focus in the writings of the writer who has found her own conclusion
that humanity triumphs over all.
The story of the novel is very simple. Its appeal is the final answer.
Nilakshi, whose husband Ananda Barua is kidnapped and subsequently killed
by the extremist, has become mentally ill. She has lost her memory to an
extent. Her dreams were shattered into pieces. Her mother-in-law Jaya Barua
takes up the responsibility of looking after her. Ananda was the lone
earning member with his small stationery shop. The small family was happy.
But destiny had something else in store. Ananda refused to pay the
extortion amount to the extremists. He used to keep the demand-letters
confidentially so that nobody at home could get them. On the other hand, while
he took his own decision of not paying his hard earning money, he kept a
fixed deposit for his family so that they could get its interest after his
death. His close friend Pranjal, a doctor, was aware of this and he asked
him to pay a part only to get a reprieve from those extremists. But Ananda
was adamant and as a result was kidnapped.
As if that was not enough; the worst was still to come. Nilakshi has not
only lost her memory, but also her child. Nilakshi, pregnant at the time,
falls down during a scuffle with the militants who forcibly take Ananda in
a van to an undisclosed destination. Nilakshi regains her consciousness in
hospital but loses her baby. This twin tragedy makes her life miserable.
She starts speaking irrelevantly and makes a habit of waiting till midnight
to receive her husband. On such a stormy and wild night, two militants,
along with a woman come to their house and ask for shelter. That woman was
about to deliver her baby. Jaya Barua could not deny them and agrees to
take all possible care, in spite of her hatred and anger for those
militants. Amidst heavy rains, she brings a doctor to save the child and
his mother. She is bold enough to take that decision and realizes that only
humanity could overpower all evils. Her son was kidnapped and killed by
those militants, but while they are under her roof for safety and security,
she should accept them with love and a helpful attitude. Nilakshi too comes
to know that she has lost her husband as well, yet without any hatred; she
takes care of the woman for a smooth delivery. Jaya Barua's plan to face
the police and disguise the woman as Jahnabi, her second daughter-in-law,
is an important aspect of the novel. The primary focus of Jaya Barua is to
help Jahnabi and her attitude is humanitarian. Being a mother, she could
not restrain herself from saving another mother, reflecting that humanity
is above all.
Yet, the epilogue is waiting to hit the father of the child. He is the
leader of those militants. He comes to pick up his wife and his newborn baby.
The harsh words are pronounced then. The mother of the baby, Jahnabi
realizes that their path was not the correct one, and refuses to go on the
same way again. She asks her husband why he had given orders to kill
Ananda, whose wife and mother had saved her, despite knowing that they were
the killers. Her realization manages to touch an inner chord in her rebel
husband who bids adieu, saying he will give a second thought to the
ideology of militancy. The novelist has not given any final conclusion, but
an indication is evidently there.The language of the novel is lucid and
there is a mathematical precision in the execution of the plot. ******
Minakshi
Goswami Borthakur’s
Doriyolir
Chorai
: Women Pathos
-Dr. Neeva Rani Phukan
There is no dearth of short story writers in Assamese as far as the present
scenario is concerned. But only handfuls among these new writers have been
able to make a niche for themselves in this distinct field of literature.
Being of the new generation, these writers are quite open to the new ideas
and experiments. Some particular issues affecting personal life and social
life, which were considered taboo talk till the twentieth century, are now
finding its way into the short stories of these new writers. Whether be it
bigamy, live-in relationship, or other sort of adultery the protagonist of
the short stories of these new writers have always taken a bold stand and
are candid in opinion. These writers no longer don the robe of the idealist
or preacher but try to delve into certain situations and reasons so as to
bring out some biter realities of life in front of the readers or society
at large. Minakshi Goswami Borthakur is an aspiring short story writer
among this crop of new writers who holds promise of a bright future ahead.
Her maiden anthology of short stories titled Doriyolir Chorai is not only
an exhaustive observation of human nature with its vice and virtues but
also a humane approach to some problems plaguing personal life of an
individual.
Altogether fourteen short stories have been included in this particular
anthology of Goswami Borthakur. Most of the stories have a female character
as the protagonist. The writer has selected her female characters from
different walks of life. Whether be it Sandhya, Monika or Pallabi from the
urban society or Bonti, Charulata and Aimoni from the rural society, each
one of them is plagued by the same dejection, misery, betrayal and
loneliness. The only difference is the environment and situation. In the
title story 'Doriyolir Chorai' Sandhya and Dinesh are having a live -in
relationship. After living together with Dinesh for some time she opted to
temporarily step out of Dinesh's life. When she returned after a gap of one
year she realized that Dinesh has changed a lot. In her absence he has got
intimated with another girl. They have plans of marriage too. It is at this
point that she realizes that her relationship with Dinesh is heading
towards nowhere. It is only those cherished moments of their togetherness,
which she can treasure in her heart. It is the unexplainable bliss derived from
their live in relationship which maters and that which have a lasting
impact in both their minds and heart. Rest everything is futile. Live in
relationship is a new phenomena of modern life. This particular life style
common to western society is making its way into modern Indian society.
This trait is not above controversy. There are certain legal as well as
social hazards related to such a relationship. The writer has tried to
explore the emotional bearing of such a relationship through her characters.
The ultimate realization of the female protagonist seems to project an
enigmatic aspect of live in relationship.
Whether be it urban or rural set up, a woman has to face her personal
challenges all-alone. When the tormentor is her spouse then even her near
and dear ones distance themselves from her and show indifference to her
problem. Monika faces such a situation in 'Chinnohosta'. Here her childhood
friend Ajit comes to her rescue and inspires her to start life anew. Little
does Monika realize that Ajit isn't different from other men who hanker
after extra marital relationship. But when she realizes his selfish
interest she recollects herself and thinking about Ajit's innocent wife and
daughter, severs all ties with Ajit and resolves to lead an independent
life of her own. But Aimoni in 'Tirotar Ghar' isn't so lucky as her urban
counterpart Monika. The soft-spoken simple-minded village belle Aimoni
suffers both physical and mental torture in her husband and in laws' hands
for dowry. When her parents could no longer fulfill the demands of their
urban-based son in law, they advised Aimoni to cope up with the situation
at her in laws house. The quiet Aimoni obeyed her parents and left for her
husband's house only to return back as a dead body to her parents' house.
Being from the urban set up and educated, Aimoni got no such scope as
Monika to live life in her own terms. Illiteracy and lack of courage in her
part made the innocent Aimoni suffer and die a ghastly death. The writer
has been able to illustrate this contrast well.
A woman has to go through numerous ordeals in conjugal life. The
unmarried ones aren't spared either. Day in and day out they are being
exploited or humiliated in some way or the other. Whither be it Noori-the
married woman of the minority community or the young Chephali of the tea
community, each one of them has her own tale to tell. It is only because of
their physical attractiveness that men are drawn towards them. Noori is
unable to secure the dignified status of a wife from her husband Anowar.
For Anowar she is only a body to fulfill his physical needs. An officer of
the tea garden named Bolin Barua is exploiting the young and naive
Chephali. He robs herb of her virginity and leaves that tea garden for
good. Circumstances forced her to marry Bodhen the tea laborer who had a
soft corner for her. But she couldn't bear to see her illegitimate baby
daughter and tried to kill the baby. But her husband Bodhen stopped her in
time and told her that he knew about her illegitimate relationship with
another person. Inspite of this he will accept the baby as his own. This
humane aspect of Bodhen's character adds a distinct flavpour to the story
"Bogi Chowalir Kandon."
The poignant aspect of a woman's life has been illustrated through
characters like Bor Gosani, Bonti, Noori, Pechon and Chephali. Their
contempt against the dominative attitude of man and the consevative society
is no less. But they are helpless in front of prevailing circumstances.
Moreover the fear of a negative social verdict is always there. Bor Gosani,
in her bid to uphold the prestige of their family and for fear of social
castigation, didn't rais her voice against the adultery commited by her
husband Harakanta Gosain. As a result her later days became miserable. Her
husband Naren too betrayed Pechon. In her case it was her younger sister
towards whom her husband got physically attracted and brought her as his
second wife. Only Pechon could experience the inferno, which was engulfing
her in the form of the other woman in her husband's life. But both she and
Bor Gosani were helpless against circumstances. Bonti's husband Naren left
her soon after their marriage without even making the customary advances at
her as her husband. He disappeared somewhere. Thinking for her future well
being her shrewd and foresighted mother in law suggested her to get a child
from someone else. A young man named Ananta who took shelter in their house
fathered a child for Bonti. In this way the lonely woman Bonti was able to
maintain her self-dignity as a married woman in a rural conservative
society. But her dejection and anxiety is no less than other suffering
women. Inspite of these characters of "Orani Tolar Mukh",
"Sondhibat" and "Bon Bogarir Cha", a few shrewd
characters like Pitkani in "Sondhibat" has the guts to turn
conditions in her favour and yet lead the life of a normal house- wife.
Some villagers may know her clandestine affairs. But nobody dares to
question her about it. Her shrewd but candid approach towards life can even
put the so- called guardians of society to shame.
The feminine self within the writer with its maturity has impact on some
of her female characters. Her optimistic perspective towards life is
noteworthy. But she hasn't ignored faults of society. She has given a human
touch to such issues in some of her short stories. There is a wide range of
scope for her to explore and experiment numerous topics related to life. We
hope to see more matured creations of this emerging fiction writer in the
coming days. Leading publishing house of Assam Jyoti Prakshan has brought
this particular anthology of Minakshi Goswami Borthakur. We feel that
through this anthology "Doriyolir Chorai" Jyoti Prakashan has
made commendable contribution in highlighting the flight of a gifted
writer. ****
Doriyolir Chorai / Minakshi
Goswami Borthakur,/ published by Jyoti Prakashan, Guwahati,2007.***
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