Six NE litterateurs bag Sahitya Akademi

*    Jayanta Madhab Bora, Rita Boro, Babul Tamuly, Gobinda Basumatary (from Assam), Mamang Dai (Aruchal Pradesh) & Rajen Toijamba (Manipur) among awardees

FROM OUR BUREAUS

GUWAHATI & KOKRAJHAR,  Dec 21: Assamese authors Jayanta Madhab Bora and Rita Boro along with 22 other regiol writers have been selected for the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Awards for this year. The announcement was made on Thursday. Two more Assamese authors have been selected for translation work. They are Babul Tamuly and Gobinda Basumatary.

Jayanta Madhab Bora has been nomited for his Assamese novel Moriahola while Rita Boro has been selected for her novel in Bodo entitled Thwisam. On the other hand, Babul Tamuly has been nomited for his Assamese translation entitled Eti Koli Duti Pat of the origil English novel of Mulk Raj And Two Leaves and a Bud while Gobinda Basumatary has been selected for his Bodo translation Gaddar of its mesake in Hindi by Krishan Chander. 

Besides, Mamang Dai won the award for her English novel The Black Hill while Rajen Toijamba won the award for his Manipuri play.

The Sahitya Akademi on Thursday announced its annual awards in 24 languages. Seven novels, five collections each of poetry and short stories, five works of literary criticism, a play and a book of essays are among those cited.

“The books were selected on the basis of recommendations made by a jury of three members in the languages concerned in accordance with the procedure laid down for the purpose,” K. Sreenivasarao, Secretary, Sahitya Akademi, said.  The award in the form of a cheque of Rs 1 lakh, a shawl and a casket containing an engraved copper-plaque, will be presented at a special function to be held on February 12, 2018.

JAYANTA MADHAB BORA’s INTERVIEW: Meanwhile, soon after the Akademi announcement, noted litterateur Jayanta Madhab Bora talking to The Sentinel said that the background of the novel is the hamlet Moriahola that got submerged in the Brahmaputra. He did research on the village and collected materials on the socio-economic and cultural aspects of the villagers for 25 years from 1985 to 2011. He started writing the novel from 2011 and completed it in 2013. He said: “The award is recognition to my hard toil.”

Jayanta Madhab Bora, who works in the Education Department of Assam Secretariat,

added: “I have reflected the reality of the village and it signifies the tragic erosion of values among mankind. I’ve used this aspect as a symbol for positive changes.”

Bora further warned that “this erosion of values among mankind is a danger sigl particularly with respect to language and culture of Assam.” He added that if we fail to arrest this erosion of values immediately then the very identity of the Assamese people will be at stake.”

However in his typical note, Bora filly concluded: “I’m hopeful that such a state will never come.

The novel bagged the Syed Abdul Malik award in 2013. Bora has till now scripted eight short story collections, 13 novels, six translations into Assamese, two research projects, five children’s literature, edited three books and four magazines. The AIR has broadcast six of his dramas. There are several TV serials of his short stories. He has even scripted for one film.

A resident of Panjabari here, he hails from Dergaon in the family of Durgadhar Bora and (Late) Putu Bora. 

DR RITA BORO’S INTERVIEW: Meanwhile, talking to The Sentinel, Dr. Rita Boro, Assistant Professor of Tangla College, Udalguri, Boro said she was elated to hear her me for the Sahitya Akademi award. She said it would be a great inspiration for her to continue her creativity.

Boro has been selected for Sahitya Akademi Award, 2017, for her book Thwisam, a novel published published by Onsumwi Library, Kokrajhar in 2014.

As of now, she has more than seven books to her credit, besides sending articles in different magazines and jourls. Her creations include Thwisam (novel-2014), Gongse Okhrangni Singao (novel-2002), Mwndangthi (short story-2002), Aijwni Mwnthai Gangse Fora Bijab, (Translation-2013), Nwng Jwngni Gamijwng Fwiywbla (poem-2013), Gwdan Lathikho (poem-2004) and Awama Swbi Fwtharao Jwsa Maio (translation-2013).

Dr. Rita Boro is the daughter of Melaram Boro and Saokhi Boro. She hails from Jalukbari village of Tangla in Udalguri district.

Born on August 28, 1975, she was also the general secretary of All Bodo Women’s Welfare Federation (ABWWF) and became vice-president. She was associated with different social organizations and dedicated for the society.

The Bodo Sahitya Sabha (BSS) expressed gratitude to Dr. Boro for being selected for the Sahitya Akademi award and said it would be an inspiration for the upcoming writers.