"Female Author-ity"- A Collection of Critical Essays from a Female Perspective Launched in Guwahati

GUWAHATI: The Department of English, Handique Girl's College organized and celebrated the launch of the book, "Female Author-ity", edited by Dr Pori Hiloidari and published by Papyrus Publishing House on February 12.

The event commenced at 1:45 PM today with the arrival of an esteemed panel of guests comprising of former teachers of the department and Principal of Handique Girl's College, Dr Utpal Dutta. Tasrina Iqbal, the host for the afternoon, asked the head of the English Department, Dr Srutimala Duara to come upon the podium for the welcome address.

She introduced the book "Female Author-ity" as a collection of critical essays on Assamese literature from a truly female perspective, written by eleven female writers, seven of whom are members of the department's faculty, viz., Aditi Choudhury, Mitali Goswami, Pori Hiloidari, Tasrina Iqbal, Krisha Das, and Purabi Goswami.

The names of the other contributors are Darshana Deka of Nalbari College, Tora Mahanta of Guwahati Commerce College, Ananya Hiloidari of Nowgong College, Lakhipriya Gogoi of Dibrugarh University, and Stuti Goswami of Royal Global University.

The Foreword to the book is written by well-known writer and critic Prof. Ananda Barmudoi. Dr Mitali Goswami livened the atmosphere with a semi-classical number, "Viraha".

Proceeding with the program, Tasrina Iqbal presented some details about the book and mentioned the accomplishments of the editor, a prominent figure, particularly in the field of literary criticism. She then requested Dr Hiloidari to speak a few words on behalf of all the contributors involved in this auspicious project.

Pori Hiloidari spoke at length about the book - how the idea was conceived etc. She said that the actual work for the book began in 2017.

She also highlighted the importance of reading and writing in Assamese language and the inclusion of Assamese literature in the new CBCS curriculum. Honourable principal, Dr Utpal Dutta released the book and addressed the gathering with his encouraging words.

He also congratulated his colleagues and urged the need to have more such publications. Former teacher of Handique Girls College and one of the contributors, Aditi Choudhury spoke a few words on the book describing it as "a book by women, for women, of women".

She acknowledged the hard work put in by the editor Pori Hiloidari to engage the contributors and flawlessly complete the book. She gave a very empowering speech on the importance of female perspective and stated that the book should be considered as a milestone in the existing field of critical studies with regard to the genre of Assamese short stories by women.

She also said that all the protagonists she discussed in her essay are survivors and have fought their own battles. She also talked about several famous women like Kamala Harris or Malala Yousaf Zai who have done so in real life.

The event ended with a vote of thanks by Krisha Das who expressed her gratitude to the participants of the event and all those who made the program a success.

Special thanks were given to Papyrus Publishing House, Guwahati who published the book without any terms and conditions in spite of the pandemic situation.

The students of the department of English participated enthusiastically in the event.

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