At a time when Assamese society is at the crossroads of self-doubt and confusion, when differences and alienation threatens to break the homogenous threads of unity and cohesion, a look back to the great personalities who gave shape to Assamese literary, cultural and national life should serve as a source of inspiration and sustenance to face the challanges ahead. Katha Barenya 100, a collection of the profiles of one hundred luminaries in the field of art and literature in 19th and 20th century Asom rings out a clarion call to the new generation in the new year to remember the contributions of the great masters of the past, who through their pen, brush, dances and songs tried to build a greater Assamese society cutting across our inherent differences.

Edited by Shoneet Bijoy Das and Munin Bayan with a foreword by noted litterateur and critic Dr Hiren Gohain on ‘modernity’ and its impact on Assamese literature, the beautifully printed 354-page volume has been divided into two parts. The first part encompasses the lives and works of 25 litterateurs and artists born in the second half of the nineteenth century (1851-1900), while the second part covers 75 personalities born in the 20th century (1901-2000).

A significant aspect of the volume is the fact that even living personalities like Dr Bhupen Hazarika, Homen Borgohain, Dr Hiren Gohain, Harekrishna Deka, Mamoni Raisom Goswami, Jahnu Barua, Benu Misra, Dr Lakshminandan Bora, Rong Bong Teron, Shilabhadra, among others have been included in the volume, thereby, adding a whiff of freshness and continuity to the creative process.

Another important aspect of the volume is that the editors have not disregarded the contributions of the lesser known personalities by acknowledging their contributions in the form of brief biographical sketches of 50 poets, 50 novelists, 50 story writers, 25 dramatists, 25 critics, 10 children litterateurs, 20 lyricists, 10 artists, 25 film directors, 25 singers and six eminent dancers of the 20th century.

Published by Katha Publications, the hardbound volume has been priced at Rs 1,000. The publication has been partly sponsored by ONGC, Bharat Petroleum, NRL and OIL. A cheaper edition of the book will go a long way in reaching out to the masses, who should, after all, be the ultimate beneficiaries.

Courtesy: The Assam Tribune (2007)