Writer Nirod Chaudhury Remembered

A Correspondent

DOOMDOOMA: Writer and journalist Nirod Chaudhury, who like English novelist Thomas Hardy’s depiction of the city of Wessex in novels like The Mayor of Casterbridge, brought Doomdooma- the premier industrial township of Upper Assam- to life in his various short stories and novels, shot this place to fame for a second time after publication of Sahitya Akademi award-winning writer Jogesh Das’ Second World War-centric novel Dawor Aru Nai (There is cloud no more) with release of the film Chameli Memsab (1975).

The film, based on his story on Doomdooma, was the first Assamese film to be made in three languages, namely Assamese, Bengali and Hindi, and for its music composition Dr Bhupen Hazarika won the best music director’s award. However, even after 18 years of his death on February 10, 2001, neither Axam Xahitya Xabha nor the Government of Assam has done anything worth for him in recognition of his contribution towards Assamese literature, journalism or films. This was lamented by journalist Arjun Baruah in his presidential address in a commemorative meeting organized by Doomdooma Sakha Sahitya Sabha (DSSS) at its auditorium on Sunday.

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