Bihunamar Barpera

Name of the book: Bihunamar Barpera
Writer: Dr Amarendra Gogoi
Publisher: Aank Baak
Pages: 447
Price: Rs 300

The countless Bihu songs, which have been verbally handed down generations and have been evading systematic institutional efforts to be collected and published, have found a worthy place in Amarendra Gogoi’s Bihunamar Barpera.

A collection of 2,095 Bihu geets, Bihunamar Barpera is an outcome of Gogoi’s individual effort to publish them. He himself sang many of the songs in husoris, but the others he collected from different parts of the state.

Travelling down the annals of history, we find that the royal poet of King Rudhasingha, Ram Narayan Chakraborty, was the first person to publish a Bihu song collection — Aligan.

There are a few collections like Aakul Pothik by Dimbeswar Neog (1922), Bohagi by Nakul Chandra Bhuyan (1923) and Bihugeet Aru Bonghoxa by Lila Gogoi (1961) that are also worth mention. Over the years, a few small collections had appeared in the market but they were not comprehensive.

In such a situation, the richness of Bihunamar Barpera will help readers discover the diversity in Bihu songs.

The compiler has classified Bihu geet under different heads: Husorir bihu xorai nasoni gamosa badya (songs sung in husori), Prem-peeriti morom bhalpua (expression of love and affection), Dukh bejar biroh akkhep (sadness and pangs of separation) Gabhoru Bixex (sung by young women), Joranaam (a kind of competitive teasing), Doihik Xoundarya (physical beauty), Xomaj byabasthar ito xito (different aspects of society), Jokowa naam (teasing song), Oitihaxik potbhumit rosito naam (based on history), Bonoria naam (erotic Bihu geet).

The Bihu geet have been published the way they are sung by rural folk. No unnecessary scholarly effort has been introduced to set right the colloquialism integral to the songs. This helps retain not only the originality of the songs but also reflects the true picture of rural Assamese society.

The songs included in the book are rich enough to cover most aspects of Assamese society, including its culture and prevalent beliefs.

There is one song that aptly describes the nuances of the Assamese language:

Salonire saliba kulare jariba
Dhekit diye jaba saab
Tou khuti mariba tolot juye diba
Khuaba axaji bhat … (page 386)

And there is another that reminds one of the historical treacheries of the past:

Keloi anili Maane oi Badan toi
Keloi anili Maan
Dexot jui logali raijok bodhili
Katili Axomor kaan. (page 413)

Some songs are eloquent about the beliefs prevalent in rural Assamese society:

Guruko koriba daan o deuta
Bhokotok koriba daan
Goru bihur dina loba axeerbad
Tehe paba boikunthot sthan(page 56)

Gogoi is now working to release the second part of Bihunamar Barpera, covering the ghoxas sung in husori, pod, lohoria, dhemelia naam, jaat and malita sung during Bihu.
The neat arrangement of songs under different titles in the book can be called a significant push in the direction of preservation of the state’s rich folk culture.

RAJIV KONWAR

Published on July 15; 2011

Viable Education for the Tribals

Name of the book: Viable Education for the Tribals

Name of author: Z.K. Pahru

Number of pages: 174

Publisher: North Eastern Social Research Centre

Price: Rs 120

In his book Viable Education for the Tribals, Z.K. Pahru has put forward a variety of suggestions towards creating a different kind of education system for indigenous communities in his home state, Manipur.

While some of his ideas seem extremely viable, some appear rather regressive.

Pahru’s focus is on the education system prevalent among various indigenous communities of Manipur in general and his own clan — the Poumai Nagas — in particular.

He traces the origin and evolution of the Poumais, who have been inhabitants of Manipur’s Senapati district since ages. As was common among most indigenous communities, they, too, were an agrarian community following an animistic religion. The society, with a strong patriarchal structure, revolved around beliefs and superstitions.

The author associates the strong patriarchal social structure with the need of the times for survival through hunting and warfare. The women were barred from participating in village council meetings and their place was in homes, close to their hearths. Education was limited to word of mouth and youths were delegated various tasks or responsibilities, which could be called trade in modern-day parlance.

After the British entered the scene, the Poumais, along with other indigenous hill communities of present-day Manipur, came under the Manipuri kingdom. Then followed the missionaries, who brought in Christianity and western education. Despite initial resistance from the local people, missionary activity started towards the end of the nineteenth century through the efforts of William Pettigrew and his wife Alice, who started the Baptist Mission. The Catholics followed after some time.

During this phase, religious activities and education went hand-in-hand. Pahru says that while the Baptists were individualistic in approach, the Catholics had a coordinated approach. They set up many schools, paving the way for government, and finally, private schools.

Here the author gets into the act of criticising schools, He blames the teachers and management of government schools of being dishonest, insincere and corrupt, alleges that missionary schools are focussed on their own agenda and favour their own denomination. Private schools, he says, are mercenary organisations set up to sell education.

He says the western education system has alienated the indigenous people from their roots, strengthened patriarchy, and created a competitive atmosphere and class categorisation among the otherwise classless people.

Pahru favours an education system on the lines of those prescribed by Ivan Illich and Mahatma Gandhi, and refers to Kanavu and Jeevan Shala type of schools for the indigenous people, to allow them to follow a curriculum based on their roots, traditional values, local knowledge and folklore. He also advocates the teaching mode to be vernacular till Class V, with English and other languages introduced later.

While Pahru is entitled to his views on the educational system, it needs to be recognised that the “western” type of education has become established. It has led to improvement in the economic and social standards of society at large, including his community. This, too, in no small measure. The system does have provision for vocational education, apart from the academic variety he disapproves of.

There will always be some who will excel and others who will lag behind in any system. Following his prescription will not bring about a uniform standard of ability. This is so even in traditional societies. Chiefs and leaders have emerged because of their recognised qualities to lead and decide.

The book contains some useful information. While there is no doubt that educational reforms are required, the prescription given is fraught with danger. Going back to the roots may merit some consideration, but to go back in totality has inherent dangers of isolating a society, rendering it irrelevant.

H.W.T. SYIEM

Published on July 3, 2011

Mereng

Tale of an indomitable spirit

Name of the book: Mereng

Name of the writer: Anuradha Sarma Pujari

Publisher: M/s Banalata, Panbazar

Number of pages: 470

Price: Rs 220

Anuradha Sarma Pujari’s Mereng is based on the life of Indira Miri, who dedicated her life to spread education in the erstwhile North East Frontier Agency (Arunachal Pradesh).

Many readers may not be familiar with Indira Miri, wife of Mahi Chandra Miri, the man behind Kaziranga National Park, but Pujari’s Mereng introduces her, who crisscrossed the hostile terrain and jungles of NEFA six decades ago, setting up schools, persuading the indigenous communities to send their children to the newly set up schools and educated youths to work there as teachers.

This is the second Assamese novel, after Agragamini of Nirupama Borgohain, to highlight the life of Miri, who, after retiring from a busy service life, died at her residence in Guwahati a few years ago.

Unlike her earlier novels, where imagination and emotions were the basic undercurrent, Pujari displayed her zeal as a hardworking novelist to pen down Mereng, where, through her literary prowess, Pujari explores Miri bit by bit, enabling the readers to discover the educationalist in her, for whom there was no greater joy in life than spreading education — no matter how high the obstacles were.

The novel has been divided into three parts — orunodoi (morning), modhyahna (noon) and godhuli (evening), of which the first two parts are based on Miri’s life.

The first part covers her carefree childhood, spent among family members, to the days when she lived the life of an ordinary educated woman, who, after receiving a degree, got married and lived happily with her husband and children. The part ends with the death of her husband, an incident responsible for her metamorphism from a wife to a responsible, brave, hardworking, dedicated education officer.

The second phase covers the important phase Miri’s life — a decade of struggle, when she devoted herself to the spread of education in every nook and corner of NEFA, treading over the undulating hills and jungles and staying away from her children for months together.

But when the Centre suddenly decided to replace Assamese with Hindi as the medium of instruction and then appointed a new senior officer, she was so disheartened that she resigned.

Mereng can be called a successful depiction of the life, work and personality of Indira Miri that successfully portrayed her indomitable spirit and inner conflicts.

RAJIV KONWAR

Published on July 1, 2011

BEYOND BORDER

BEYOND BORDER

Name of the Book: Beyond Borders: Look East Policy and North East

Publisher: DVS Publishers

Editor: Dilip Gogoi

Number of pages: 317

Price: Rs 675

A policy-- Look East Policy which has never been officially formulated has always been the centre of intense discussions and any new book on the topic is always a welcome addition.

"Beyond Borders: Look East Policy and North East" a book edited by Dilip Gogoi is a product of "Cotton Conclave"-- an initiative of Cotton College under the banner of National Scholars Meet in Februarty 2008. Gogoi teaches political science at Cotton College.

The book focusses on the Northeastern region and its relations with its neighbours, predominantly in the backdrop of the Look East Policy. Though the Look East Policy has been in existence for more than 15 years, the benefits to the region has been minimal.

The book aims to critically engage with issues of security, foreign policy, regional autonomy and sub regional cooperation.

The 13 chapters in the book throw light on different aspects of Look East policy and have been dealt in a scholarly fashion throwing new way of thinking.

Jayanta Brahma an assistant professor in Political Science at Goalpara College in the chapter on "Revisiting India's Foreign Policy: Mapping the Northeast on the Foreign Policy Agenda" argues that foreign policy preferences of a nation tend to be dictated by the geopolitics of a particular region. India's Look East Policy has strong economic imperatives and long term strategic ramifications. The author says India must articulate its foreign policy preferences in alignment with interests of Northeast region.

Dilip Gogoi on " East through Northeast: India and Southeast Asia in the new Asia" explains how India's domestic front and its neighbourhoods have undergone significant changes in the post cold war era and tries to explore the roots and rationale of Look East Policy. After telling the people of the opportunities and potential of Northeasr in the context of its neighbours, he argues that the region is still to find a credible place in the wave of sub-regional cooperation and recommends for comprehensive policy strategies which will help the region in attaining its full potential.

Yogendra Singh a doctoral student at JNU looks at the possibilities and implications of India's involvement in the various infrastructure projects aimed at increasing connectivity between Northeast and Southeast Asia. Different projects have been reviewed and various factors including the security challenges which inhibit the process of connecting the two regions have been been dealt in detail. Singh says without addressing these challenges, it will be difficult to make the Northeast a gateway to Southeast Asia.

Shubhrajeet Konwer a political science teacher at Gauhati University deliberates on the disputed international borders in Northeast which have the potential to create a major conflict in the region. Konwer says that the resolution of border problem between India and China is difficult due to the twin issues of Tawang and Tibet.

All in all, the book provides insight into the real issues on the ground and the future potential which may come up as India tries improve its ties with the neighbouring countries . The book is also important in the sense as it focusses on the Northeast which is the fulcrum of Look East Policy.

The scholarly discourses are right but the question uppermost in minds of people here is-- when will it benefit the region which is lying at handshaking distance with its neighbours with whom its future lies.

ROOPAK GOSWAMI

Published on June 17; 2011

Mockdrill

Publisher: M/s Banalata, Panbazar

Writer: Moushumi Kandali

Number of pages: 159

Price: Rs 70

Moushumi Kandali has received critical acclaim as a short story writer. Her Mockdrill , a collection of ten short stories, bears a distinct stamp of her creative expressions in a unique style of narration, so rare in Assamese literature. Her evocative and poetic language coupled with the contents make the stories worth reading. She gives vent to her anger and agony generated by the present dismal scenario of our society. The maturity of her Lambada Nasor Xexot is not missing in handling of her material.

She takes great pain to build the body of a story. Each story is well knit and enables the reader to discover different meanings and messages.

In Ra-banhar sikmikoni – Eta ganor kahini the writer exposes how the octopus-hug of modernism and globalisation has sucked the very essence of our traditional folk culture for commercial purpose, and how our yokels are duped by cultural plagiarists. Mockdrill unfolds why and how we have made a mockery of life itself- the story is symbolic and thought provoking. No evil, right from communalism to terrorism to exploitation has evaded the writers, and she tries to capture their impact in the form of stories; her social commitment is sincere and genuine.

Her canvas for Ambika Parba extends to the historical past. The portrayal of the slave girl Seva, once the daughter of the chieftain of an indigenous aboriginal clan is indeed heart-rending. The writer is optimistic; humanity and inhumanity, success and failure continue to go side by side and finally the man in man triumphs.

Kandali tries to explore the Indian heritage and draws certain parallels with the modern world. Certain values are still there which have not changed even after many centuries. We can refer to the first story of the collection, Ambika Parba , in this context.

The Shoes Must Go On shows that the victims of any plant carnage are from all strata in society. Many more things are there in the stories to sadden and stimulate any reader. It is an exceptionally strong voice; she deserves to be heard to understand the ugly reality of our contemporary world.

Mexwellor Daitya shows how the working class people have been subjected to any kind of exploitation for the interest of the manufacturer.

The title page with meaningful work of Punyasobin is captivating. No printer’s devil haunts the reader for which the publisher deserves kudos.

SYED MAHAMMAD MAHSHIN

Published on June 17, 2011

Waqt Mile To Aa Jaana

Name of the book: Waqt Mile To Aa Jaana (a collection of translated Hindi poems)

Publisher: Samved

Editor: Kishan Kaljayee

Author: Monica Das

Number of pages: 50

Price: Rs 20

Monica Das’s poems give us an insight into a person who is extremely sensitive to the vagaries of life and to her environment, be it nature or society. She pens her emotions lucidly and paints sundry pictures of life simply and beautifully.

In the title poem, Waqt Mile To Aa Jaana , Monica sets the tone when she says:

Tum aana kisi roopahali raat mein

Sukh dukh ki batein karenge

Tumhari meri

Athva swadesh swajati ki….

(Come on a silvery night, we will talk about our joys and sorrows, about you and me or about the country and community)

She goes on to reflect upon the plight of the common man and social issues such as rape and militancy.

Jante hi ho meri ma nahin hai

Pita ke bare mein kya bataoon

Ek ser chawal ke liye

Savere hi nikal padte hain sir par suraj lekar.

Ek hi bhai hai

Phool todne par cheekh uthne wala

Wah chala gaya jungle mein

Aur tham liya phool jaise haton mein warjit hathiyar.

Bhediyon ke ek jhund ne

Ek din noch diya didi ke sine ka anchal

Kshat-vikshat kar dala uske komal sharir ko

Waqt mile to aa jaana kisi roopahali raat mein….

(You know that I have lost my mother. What can I say about my father? He leaves in the morning and works hard under the sun to earn a livelihood. My brother, who couldn’t bear it even if someone plucked flowers, has taken up weapons and left for the jungles. One day, a pack of wolves molested my sister and ripped apart her tender body. If you get the time, come on a silvery night…)

This focus on the trials and tribulations of common man and social injustice continues in poems such as Aana Zara Gaon Mein where she feels the pain of the people rendered homeless by floods, that of farmers and their families, the poor whom welfare schemes do not reach. In Tum Logon ke Liye, she urges the exploited not to shed tears, not to remain oppressed for eternity, but rise in rebellion and fight for their rights.

In poems like Phagun , Baarish, Dhoop , Agahan , Aakash, Subah, Ped and Nadi , she impresses upon us her acute awareness of the moods of nature and the well-being and devastation they bring in their wake.

True to her emotions and life experiences, Monica’s poems also reflect the agony and helplessness that take root in the rheumatoid arthritis that had rendered her immobile 13 years ago.

Problems, she says in Dhool, is like the omnipresent dust that comes without warning, settles quietly in life and follows a person everywhere. But she does not allow bitterness to creep into her life because of her tragedy. At times, she gives in to despair, only to overcome it with an indomitable spirit for herself and for others.

Jeevan , Shunyta and Pile Patte ki Kavita reflect her despair and hopelessness and Pita and Ma draw out her helplessness at the pain her parents suffer because of the tragedy that has struck her apart from the mundane struggles of life. She longs for the golden moments when she was unfettered by life’s limitations in Ap ki Tarah Mere Paas Bhi Ek Sunahri Ghadi Thi .

She says:

Ek pathar se takrakar

Stabdh ho gaya tha spandan…

… Main wapas chahti hoon

apni pracheen sunahri ghadi

(Colliding with a rock, its heartbeat stopped… I want back my ancient golden clock)

But her indomitable spirit surfaces in Dukh and Ananta Pratiksha. She is ready to challenge the sorrows and tragedies of her life and refuses to be defeated by them.

In Ananta Pratiksha, she says:

Main hoon aashavadi kalamkar

Ek din thak jayenge joojhate joojhate andhere ke sainik…

(I am an optimist poet. The soldiers of darkness will get tired one day…)

Monica’s poems reflect the loneliness and longings of a young girl, her joie de vivre , which is choked by life’s ruthlessness.

Ek Prem ki Kavita (there are two poems with the same title) , Tumhare Liye, Aakash, Priyajan ke Liye, Unke Ane ki Baat Hai and Chaah reflect the longings of a young girl who at times is left with little hope and at other times is brimming with it.

As Monica oscillates between despair and hope, she spreads the message of universal love in Beej and Ek Hari Kavita .

The translator is in sync with the poetess’s agony and lust for life, loneliness and longings and portrays the essence of her poems and emotions with well-chosen words.

While one may not be in tune with the poetess at times, quite a few of her poems are definitely pearls collected from the deep sea of life and its vicissitudes.

SWATI AGARWAL

Published on June 3, 2011