Press Release Docu Film & Books on Authors Principal Bhabananda Deka & Nalini Prava Deka GUWAHATI : A documentary film screening and book-release programme has been organised on 4th December 2014 at 3 pm at AASU Swahid Bhawan auditorium in Uzan Bazar Brahmaputra riverfront on the occasion of 8th death anniversary of pioneer Assam economist and a leading litterateur of the golden Awahon-Ramdhenu era of Assamese literature Prof Bhabananda Deka and six months of death of renowned storywriter, radio dramatist and social activist Nalini Prava Deka. A commemorative book Sahityik Dampati Adhyaksha Bhabananda Deka Nalini Prava Deka comprising critical essays of literary luminaries of Assam like Dr Maheswar Neog, Dr Bhupen Hazarika, Sheelabhadra, Prof Rammal Thakuria, Biren Borkotoky, Prof Bhabananda Deka, Nalini Prava Deka, Prof Bisweswar Hazarika and film actor Bijay Sankar would be formally released in this function. The documentary film Golden Jubilee of Assam Economics Research & Pioneer Assam Economist-Litterateur directed by popular storywriter, actor and filmmaker Arnab Jan Deka highlights the milestones in the outstanding life of the visionary Assamese Principal Bhabananda Deka. Three distinguished personalities Claire Elizabeth Terry from Spain, Tess Joyce from Indonesia and Terri Stiffler from the United States of America collaborated in the Screenplay for this important film, wherein Tess Joyce rendered the background commentary in her voice. It is noteworthy that Nalini Prava Deka was a popular Assamese storywriter, radio dramatist, actress, childrens writer and social activist. She athored a total of 30 books, and also edited a popular childrens magazine Phul from 1987. Many of her women and children centric dramas had been broadcast over All India Radio, Guwahati centre from 1970s. She authored three short story collections including Elandhu--Smut and many of her short stories had been translated into English. She was the founder President of Purbanchaliya Mohila Porishad, and also founded several reputed organisations including Delhi Asomiya Sahitya Samaj, Assam Foundation-India, Srimanta Sankardev International Foundation, Pub Sarania Naamghar, Urvashi Sangeet Vidyalay, Urvashi Kristi Kendra, Pohar Proyasi Mohila Samiti, Rajgarh Sahitya Chora, Sadou Asam Moina Parijat, Sadou Asam Chemoniya Chora and Kamrup District Sahitya Sabha. Principal Bhabananda Deka was the first Assamese economist-litterateur to initiate Assam-specific study and research of local economy and other social aspects. Apart from authoring total 115(one hundred fifteen) books, he wrote in famous literary journals like Awahon, Ramdhenu, Amar Protinidhi, Manideep, Natun Asomiya, Asam Bami, Dainik Asam etc right from mid-1950s. Just before his death on 4 Dec 2006 he finished English prose-translation of timeless Assamese classic ‘Kirtan Ghosa’ of Srimanta Sankardev. During his Delhi stint as senior bureaucrat, he played a pivotal role in setting up Assamese Departments in UPSC and Delhi University during 1969-69. He was instrumental in bringing Hollywood personalities to Guwahati in 1995 and subsequent production of first one hour documentary film on life and works of Srimanta Sankardev in 1996. Because of his untiring efforts, this film was screened in the USA, Canada and other countries, and preserved in the National Museum of Switzerland. In recognition of his pioneering role as economist his death anniversary is observed every year as ‘Artha Divas’ or Day of Economics. Another highlight of the function is the release of the re-edited version of a historic English book Assamese Language & Literature & Sahityarathi Lakshminath Bezbaroa authored by Principal Bhabananda Deka with support from his three able deputies including Prof Parikshit Hazarika, Upendra Nath Goswami and Prabhat Chandra Sarma, incorporating Forewords by two former Presidents of India Dr Zakir Hussain and Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed and two former Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Morarji Desai. This book was originally inaugurated in New Delhi on 24 November 1968 by then President Dr Zakir Hussain to mark the birth centenary of doyen of Assamese literature Lakshminath Bezbaroa, and it was primarily meant for non-Assamese common people to give a firsthand glimpse into the vast domain of Assamese language and literature. However, this invaluable rare book remained out of reach for Assam dwellers for the last five decades. Recently, popular storywriter and actor Arnab Jan Deka managed to recover the only available copy of the book in the huge personal library of Prof Bhabananda Deka, and carefully re-edited and published the book in a new look incorporating the forewords of the top Indian leaders, so as to make it available to new generation of readers worldwide. Historically, it was the first English book meant for common English-speaking readers worldwide on Assamese language and literature, and remains relevant even after half a century, and it is republished as a mark of homage to Sahityarathi on his 150th birth anniversary. The function would be graced as special guests by London based first Assamese lady pilot and author-columnist Dheera Hazarika, Chief Editor of Luit to Thames magazine Dr Karuna Sagar Das, former Tagore Professor of Gauhati University Dr Satyendra Narayan Goswami, popular film actors Badal Das and Dilip Kumar Hazarika, leading authors and critics Dr Rohini Kumar Barua, Prof Upendra Nath Sarma and Prof Bisweswar Hazarika. All interested are invited to attend this important programme.
Posted on: Wed, 03 Dec 2014 07:07:32 +0000
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