Assamese translation of epic novel 'Paraja' by Chandreswar Duworah released in Lakhimpur

A CORRESPONDENT

LAKHIMPUR: The transcreation of epic novel Paraja in the Assamese language was released in North Lakhimpur Press Club on Sunday. Notably, the novel Paraja was originally written by in the Odia language by Gopinath Mohanti, the Jnanpith and Sahitya Akademi award winner literateur of Odisha. It was translated and recreated in the Assamese language by Chandreswar Duworah, an octogenarian literary figure-cum-pioneer journalist of Lakhimpur and retired principal of Saboti Multi-purpose Higher Secondary School. The book was published by Purbayan Publication, Panbazar Guwahati.

Regarding the release of the transcreated novel, a programme in a befitting manner was organized in North Lakhimpur Press Club under the management of Mangalmoy Patrika editor Sanjib Upadhyay. The programme started with the lighting of ceremonial lamp by senior journalist, NLPC working president Kumud Baruah. The novel was released by internationally acclaimed innovator Padma Shri Dr. Uddhab Kumar Bhorali in the presence of a galaxy of prominent figures of Lakhimpur district. Releasing the book Padma Shri Dr. Uddhab Kumar Bhorali lauded the unique attempt of transcreating the novel in the native language from Odia by the 88 year-old literary figure terming the attempt to be a heroic one.

Dr. Arabinda Rajkhowa, literateur cum columnist, the Head of the Department of Assamese, North Lakhimpur College (Autonomous), took part in the programme as chief speaker. He presented a critical appreciation of the novel.

"Paraja is an subaltern class of Odisha. No novelists showed their interest to write a novel on the life of such community prior to Gopinath Mohanty. His novel Paraja (1945) documents the cultural history and heritage of ethnicity, myths, legends and socio-cultural representation of the tribe of the Koraput region in the State. Simultaneously, the novel signifies their poverty and struggle and their exploitation by the privileged community. The novel is unique in ways because it offers a study of tribal life and culture from anthropological, sociological and ecological perspectives. The novel sketches the class-conflict, the dominance and exploitation over the poor, down-trodden by the privileged ones. The novel is contemporary, because, till date, no end has come to these social evils which are highlighted by the novel. It also reflect the strong will of the down-trodden to live", Dr. Arabinda Rajkhowa stated in his lecture.

Appreciating the transcreator of the novel, Dr. Rajkhowa said, "Chandreswar Duworah, who heralded a new era in Lakhimpur by editing the Na-Lakhimi in 1971 as the founder editor of the fortnightly news paper, has forwarded the novel to the readers with lucid translation. He has manifested the unique beauty of the Assamese language through the work. His labour will be well-appreciated if the readers accept the book".

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