The modern journey of Assamese literature

Lalit Nath

(lalitnath784@gmail.com)

The history of Assamese literature is like a flowing river, where the confluence of cultural, social and intellectual currents over time has created new dimensions and depths. The influence of modernity, beginning in the mid-19th century, liberated Assamese literature from traditional constraints, allowing it to evolve in parallel with world literature. British colonial rule, Christian missionary activities and Western education brought radical changes to the language, themes, style and perspective of Assamese literature. This essay analyses the impact of modernity from the Arunodoi era through the role of magazines, romanticism, realism, modern poetry and stories and contemporary trends.

The advent of modernity in Assamese literature began in 1846 with the publication of ‘Arunodoi’, a magazine by American Baptist missionaries. This era, known as the Arunodoi era, marked a transformative phase. Editors Nathan Brown, A.H. Danforth and Miles Bronson laid the foundation for Assamese prose by publishing articles on religion, science, general news and education. Anandaram Dhekial Phukan emphasised the restoration of the Assamese language’s prestige, its use as a medium of education and the promotion of science and culture. Gunabhiram Barua’s ‘Bilator Bhraman Kahini’ introduced a new genre of travel literature. These works showcased the linguistic potential of Assamese prose. ‘Arunodoi’ also published articles against social evils like sati, child marriage and lack of women’s education, sparking reformist thought and establishing literature as a tool for social change. The introduction of printing presses facilitated the standardisation and widespread dissemination of Assamese literature.

Following ‘Arunodoi’, magazines like ‘Jonaki’ (1889), ‘Banhi’ (1909), ‘Awahan’ (1929), and ‘Ramdhenu’ (1952) paved the way for modernity in Assamese literature. Under the leadership of Lakshminath Bezbaroa, Chandrakumar Agarwala and Hemchandra Goswami, ‘Jonaki’ introduced romanticism. The poetry, stories and plays of this era reflected nature’s beauty, the exuberance of love, and nationalist sentiments. Chandrakumar Agarwala’s ‘Bonkunwari’, published in ‘Jonaki’s first issue, is considered the first Assamese romantic poem. Bezbaroa’s play ‘Litikai’ and Hemchandra Goswami’s sonnet ‘Priyatamar Chithi’ pioneered new literary forms. Agarwala’s poetry collections ‘Pratima’ and ‘Binboragi’ blended Western romantic influences, such as Byron and Shelley, with Assamese cultural essence.

In 1890, the newspaper ‘Bijulee’ serialised Padmanath Gohain Barua’s novels ‘Bhanumati’ and ‘Lahari’. From 1909 to 1933, Lakshminath Bezbaroa’s ‘Banhi’ enriched Assamese literature with writings on science, literature, philosophy and society. Poets like Jatindranath Duwara and contributions from Cotton College students added new dimensions. ‘Awahan’ magazine promoted modern poetry and stories in the first half of the 20th century. Jyotiprasad Agarwala’s poems, plays, and the film ‘Joymoti’ expressed nationalism, women’s empowerment, and social reform. Birendra Kumar Bhattacharya’s novels ‘Mrityunjay’ (1970) and ‘Iyaruingam’ depicted complex social issues, class conflicts, and philosophical questions, earning him the Jnanpith Award for ‘Mrityunjay’ and the Sahitya Akademi Award for ‘Iyaruingam’.

From the mid-20th century, the influence of modernity became more pronounced in Assamese poetry and stories. Navakanta Barua’s works like ‘He Aranya He Mahanagar’, ‘Kapilipariya Sadhu’ and ‘Kokadeutar Haar’ elevated Assamese literature with vivid portrayals of nature, human conflicts and contemporary complexities, blending Western influences like T.S. Eliot and Pablo Neruda with Assamese folk culture. Homen Borgohain’s novels ‘Matsyagandha’, ‘Pita-Putra’ and ‘Timir Tirtha’ analyzed modern life’s conflicts and identity crises. Nilamani Phukan’s ‘Golapi Jamur Lagna’ and ‘Selected Poems’ merged mythological elements with modern complexities, pioneering experimental styles. Mamoni Raisom Goswami’s ‘Dasharathir Khoj’ and Nirupama Borgohain’s ‘Abhiyatri’ explored societal issues from a woman’s perspective, raising questions of social justice.

 In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, digital technology added new dimensions to Assamese literature. The internet and social media provided new-generation writers with platforms for global outreach. Nilim Kumar’s poems and Arupa Patangia Kalita’s ‘Felanee’ gained popularity on digital platforms, addressing feminist perspectives and social justice. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has played a transformative role in preserving and promoting Assamese literature. Digitisation of ancient manuscripts, folk tales, and texts, along with AI-assisted translations, has made Assamese literature accessible globally. AI’s language processing capabilities have aided in refining vocabulary, crafting poetic forms and experimenting with new literary styles. Works like Jyotiprasad Agarwala’s ‘Joymoti’ have been repopularized through digital platforms, while Navakanta Barua’s poetic themes find new expressions through AI-driven experiments.

The impact of modernity has elevated Assamese literature to global standards. Romanticism, realism and contemporary trends have made Assamese prose and poetry more refined and diverse. The digital age has opened new avenues for literary creation and dissemination. However, preserving the cultural essence and originality of Assamese literature while leveraging technology remains a key challenge for future writers. By balancing tradition and modernity, Assamese literature will continue to secure a prominent place on the global literary stage.