STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: At a time when epic poetry has become a thing of the past, language has changed from the formal Victorian English to the ever popular lingos of only abbreviations; a youth from the State has embarked on journey where he hopes to win over the world through his 73 thousand-line poem. Pankaj Mahato from Dhoopdhora, displayed his 2,400-foot-long poetry titled Bharatir Hontan Bir Birongana at the Guwahati Press Club on Tuesday.
The poem is a vivid description of the advent of the British to India till the time they departed. He artistically defines the destitution of around 200 freedom fighters and the turmoil that India suffered through. Mahato offers a brief glimpse into the lives of the freedom fighters and their love for their motherland. He speaks in depth about role of these heroes in the freedom movement. The poem is also an effort to uplift the Assamsese language into the world platform.
It took seven months for Mahato to complete the poem. He undertook the grueling endeavor with an aim to enter the Guinness World Records and through the Assamese medium, pay tribute to the freedom fighters of India. He desires to release the poem through the hands of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Pankaj Mahato who is fiercely promoting the Assamese language to the world platform is originally from Muzzafarpur from Bihar. His father was a driver by profession and the family shifted to Assam during the early years of Pankaj’s life. Presently, it is only the poet who is residing in the State while the rest of his family has moved back to Bihar.
In 2015, Pankaj wrote a 2812 line poem Bir Birangona which earned him a place at the India Book of Record, the Limca Book of Record, the Indian Achiever’s Book of Record, Asia Book of Record and Champion Book of World Record. The zealous poet has already started work on his upcoming project where he hopes to pen a 25 thousand line poetry that emulates the life of the bard of Assam, Bhupen Hazarika. Mahato hopes to release the poem on Bhupen Hazarika’s next death anniversary.