Opinion Humane,in life and in literature

It was as a fiction writer that Mamoni Raisom,writing in her mother tongue Assamese,became a literary icon who held up a mirror to the world through her writings. Her unflinching realism was based on a thorough knowledge of her subject,whether it was the condition of widows in Vrindavan,the plight of Brahmin women in the Sattras,the anguish of the working classes,men as well as women,the sufferings of tribal communities,or the issue of animal sacrifice in the temple of Kamakhya. The thoroughness of her research showed her comprehensive engagement with the world around her. But her fictional worlds were always illumined with her deep humanism and empathy,which ensured that even her antagonists were not villains,but people caught in the web of circumstances and deprivations,who were always given a chance to redeem themselves. She sought out opportunities to meet with and mingle with people from all economic and social strata,to understand the joys and agonies of the people. This first-hand knowledge gave a strong foundation to all her works,which were uniquely individualised with her own uncompromising humanist values. Many,though not all her works were rooted in the region of her birth,though she also excelled at describing events in Delhi where she stayed for many years,such as in Tej Aru Dhulire Dhuxarito Pristha,(Pages Stained With Blood and Dust),which described the plight of Sikhs in the aftermath of Indira Gandhi’s assassination in New Delhi.

Her novels include Chenabor Srot (The Chenab’s Current),Nilakanthi Braja (The Blue-Necked Braja),Mamorey Dhora Tarowal (The Rusted Sword),Chhninnamastar Manuhto (The Man From Chhinnamasta) and Dontal Hatir Uye Khowa Howda (The Termite-Ridden Howdah of a Tusker),which is often referred to as one of the finest novels in Assamese. This was later made into the award-winning film Adajya. She wrote a large number of short stories as well,which have been collected into several volumes. Among these are powerful stories such as the gut-wrenching Sanskar,where she describes the clash between the proud lineage of a poor,beautiful,Brahmin woman and a rich merchant’s visceral longing for a son. Adhalikha Dostabej (An Unfinished Autobiography) was her testament to her own life.

Mamoni Goswami’s work added immensely to the rich literature of her language,Assamese. She was greatly instrumental in taking it,through translations,to a huge worldwide readership. That her work,so rooted in this land,resonates across the globe,is a measure of her success in touching on issues of importance to people everywhere. Many of the characters she created leave a lasting impression. Her style was lucid,yet evocative,flexible and expressive,simple enough to be understood by all,yet capable of expressing powerful thoughts and change-bringing ideas. She often textured her language by bringing in elements from different dialects of Assam. Though she postulated powerful and revolutionary ideas,her work was never didactic. She crafted her plots and fashioned her characters in such a way that they spoke of her attitude to the core postulate in a very convincing manner.

Awarded with the country’s top literary honour,the Jnanpith,in 2000,she also received numerous other awards such as the International Tulsi Award,Kamal Kumari National Award,the Sahitya Akademi Award and the Principal Prince Klaus Award,the money from which she donated to a hospital in her ancestral village. The Rabindra Bharati University awarded her a DLitt in 2002,the same year she turned down a Padma Shri.

A warm,caring and affectionate person,she was “Baideo” (elder sister) for several decades to the many Assamese students of Delhi University for whom she kept an open house. Full of simple kindliness,she was always greatly encouraging towards younger people,especially writers. She was generous both with practical advice,and also with her time,towards all who sought her out. Her innate sense of humanism led her to take on the mantle of a peace activist who mediated between the government and the ULFA in a bid to usher in peace to the troubled land that she so loved. Her last rites were conducted with full state honours,with the Assam government declaring a holiday as a mark of respect to her.

Phukan is a Guwahati-based writer,vocalist and translator. Her latest novel ‘A Monsoon of Music” was published by Zubaan-Penguin earlier this year.