Arnab Jan Deka
Arnab Jan Deka is a novelist,[1] short story writer, poet, playwright, screenwriter, documentary film director, columnist, TV actor, jurist, river engineer and eco-technocrat.[2][3][4] He authored 131 fiction and non-fiction books (two of them being co-authored with British and American authors respectively) and edited 14 more books in English, Assamese, Hindi and Bengali. He was also editor of a journal and a newspaper.[5] India Government's official Academy of Letters Sahitya Academy incorporated his biography as one among the top Indian writers of the 20th Century in the End Century Edition of Who's Who of Indian Writers 1999.[6] Manonmaniam Sundaranar University included three of his highly acclaimed short stories in its MA(English) course syllabus.[7] 'NE Live' listed him as one of the "Top 5 Contemporary Writers from Assam who have made it big outside the state also" which include such other literary stalwarts like Dr Indira Goswami , Homen Borgohain and Nirupama Borgohain , who "have not only contributed to the literary wealth of the state, they have also enlightened the world about the life and culture of Assam through their writing."[2] In a critical literary essay 'New generation of storytellers' he has been described as one among "the bunch of most powerful storytellers" who "delved deep into the spiritual and intellectual heritage along the Brahmaputra valley, and also highlighted its environmental fragility."[8]
He is the recipient of Assam Government's Publication Board Golden Jubilee Novel Award in 2006 for his classical novel Bhaba Ananda Sambad ('Tales of Bhabananda').[3][4] The Katha International Short Story Festival held in New Delhi in January, 2004, awarded him with the Katha-Goriyoshi Award for his short-story Himalayan Mystic Meeting.[9] He is also a recipient of the Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray Memorial Award (Smarak Samman) 2010 in Calcutta, conferred upon him in recognition of his lifetime contributions to literature, art and scientific research.[10][1]
He is the international chairman of the Indo-British environmental project Save the Brahmaputra River.[11][12]
He was the youngest Indian radio playwright. His first radio-play Mukti ('Freedom') was broadcast by All India Radio in 1981 while he was a school student. His first authored book Ephanki Rhode ('A Stanza of Sunlight') was published in 1983.[6][13][14][15]
His documentary film on saint-artist-littérateur Srimanta Sankardev had been publicly screened in several countries.[16]
First Assamese co-author of Indo-British book of poetry
Arnab Jan Deka is the first creative writer in Assamese to have co-authored an Indo-British book of poetry, working with British poet and novelist Tess Joyce in 2009 to produce a book entitled A Stanza of Sunlight on the Banks of Brahmaputra.[14] The book received wider international success, as many leading newspapers carried exclusive coverage on this publication.[2][17][18][19] In a major critical writing in The Book Review journal, literary critic and poet N Kalyani describes its poetry in these words- "Poems have a spatial and temporal location and context and relevant and significant to that, yet they are also universal in their theme and substance and not restricted to a period of time making them obsolete or decrepit for another or a future time period." In the same essay, the critic's admiration of Arnab Jan Deka's poetry is made clear when she says- "And in These Small Thoughts Deka reveals what Umananda is, A tiny river island amidst the mighty river Brahmaputra near the prehistoric city of Pragjyotishpur, known by its modern name Guwahati now, in a way that brings the image so alive: The tiny rivulet reflect a myriad of colour/The distant Umananda--a majestic aloof lily pad/The blackish riverbank with flowing wind/The cities dreaming of fleeced nomad/Besides the tidal marina."[20] This book found a place of pride in the prestigious London Poetry Library, which is the first official recognition for an Assamese poet by the famous British institution devoted to poetry.[21]
His first book, Ephanki Rhode ('A Stanza of Sunlight'), published in 1983 while he was a minor school student of 10th standard, established him as a major poet and author in the Assamese language.[2][22] Prominent Indian writer Dr Birendra Kumar Bhattacharya discovered the young writer and officially brought the school-going teen-aged author into the intellectual limelight by writing a generous review of his first book and later days' creations.[6][23]
British poet Tess Joyce wrote an essay on his poetry in the literary journal published from London Luit to Thames, whose edited form was also republished by Art of Living Guide, which is based in Barcelona, Spain. In her essay, Joyce states as follows-- "Written during his high school years, Arnab’s poems plunged the reader into further depths – into the midst of the universe itself and the riverine landscapes only served to increase the levels of complexity the narrator saw; we are left to realise that no-one is big enough to hold the universe and so: Yet with no empty space left on the boat/the Universe sat quietly beside the reeds. Imbibed with a sense of awe, the narrator’s desires for explanations disappeared – it was the poetry that satisfied him, hence: On the bald head of the dusty earth/Ashwaklanta bestowed a stanza of sunlight."[13]
Short story writer
Arnab Jan Deka is an award-winning short story writer in Assamese and English.[5][14] His short stories regularly appear in top Assamese literary journals Prantik and Goriyoshi[1] and have been translated into English, Spanish, Bengali, Bodo and many other languages and published in literary journals and newspapers.[2][5] Manonmaniam Sundaranar University included three of his best short stories in its MA(English) course syllabus. The stories that found places in their postgraduate syllabus are 'Himalayan Mystic Meeting', 'An American Mother' and 'Three Village Girls'.[24]
His well-known short stories include: Prem Asambhav ('Love Impossible), Hridoybotir Sondhan ('Quest for Large-Hearted Magnanimity'), Naareebaadar Narak ('Hell of Feminism'), Tumi Rituporna Tai Malala ('She is Malala'), Tinijoni Gawoliya Sowali ('Three Village Girls'), Katha-Goriyoshi Award-winning short story Himalayar Duporiya : Ankur-Tapaswi-Swarnakeshinee('Himalayan Mystic Meeting'), Mor Shohorot Dujon Spaniard('Two Spaniards in My City'), Nixiddho Nogorit Mei Lang('Mei Lang in the Forbidden City'), Mexico Shohorot Ejoni Premika('A Sweetheart in Mexico City'), Ejoni American Matri('An American Mother'), Samudrik Akangkhat Ronga Nodi Neela Pahar('Oceanic Aspirations of Red River Blue Hill'), Blandine and the Elephant and Grandma Niranjana of Duphori Village.[25][1]
His short-story collections include Prem Asambhav('Love Impossible')(2013),[26] Akasmat Ek Aabeli('Suddenly An Afternoon')[27][28][29][30](2004), Naareebaadar Narak('Hell of Feminism')(1999), Mexico Shohore Ekjon Premika Abong Koyekta Golpo('A Sweetheart in Mexico & other stories')(2009) and Duphori Gawor Niranjana Aaita(2017).[2] Leading English daily The Assam Tribune in its issue dated 28 January 2000 described Arnab Jan Deka's first story-book Naareebaadar Narak as follows- “Whatever be the history and definition of feminism, Arnab Jan Deka has portrayed feminism in his latest book ‘Naareebaadar Narak’ (The Hell of Feminism) in a very unique way. Arnab Jan Deka writes as if he has already gone through the experiences of a woman. He has perhaps experienced the so called ‘feminist world’ more closely."[31] According to a widely circulated Assamese daily Asomiya Khabar, this storybook was the bestseller among Assamese books in the year 1999.[25]
As a Novelist
Arnab Jan Deka is also a successful novelist.[5][14] His classical novel Bhaba Ananda Sambad('Tales of Bhabananda')(2007) won him the prestigious Assam Government Publication Board Golden Jubilee Novel Award in 2006. Another novel, Childhood Dreams(2010),[1] was a strong protest against the inhuman practice of child slaver prevalent in many countries and, at the same time, it also advocated children's right to education. This novel was adapted in 2011 into a mini TV-series entitled Soisobote Dhemalite and was telecast over India Government-owned TV-channel Doordarshan.[2] This televised version of his novel was produced by veteran film producer and actor Pramod Baruah and directed by Indian film actor and director Brojen Borah.
His award-winning novel Bhaba Ananda Sambad, set against the backdrop of the educational and intellectual scenario of the post-independence Assam of the 1950s and 1960s, was loosely based on the eventful life of the Assamese economist and Awahon-Ramdhenu Era littérateur Principal Bhabananda Deka. The novel depicted the highpoints of his life, which include the establishment of Assamese Departments in the Indian Constitutional body Union Public Service Commission(UPSC) and Delhi University in the capital city of India in the late 1960s, apart from illustrating his lifelong mission of spreading the fruits of higher education amidst the poor of village dwellers in the entire Brahmaputra valley.[4][32] This novel has been the subject of Doctoral Research for PhD in the Assamese Department of Dibrugarh University.
His other published novels include Noisoclubot Bigotojoubona('A Post-youth Vamp in the Night Club')(2000), Astarambha Premor Biyoli Joubon('Sun-setting Youth of Superficial Love')(1999), Hridoyor Dinlipi('The Heart's Diary')(2004) and Bhai Bhai('Band of Brothers')(children's novel)(2005).
Columnist & Essayist
Daily newspapers Dainik Asam, Dainik Janambhumi, The Assam Tribune, Natun Dainik, Aji Assamese Daily, Dainik Batori Kakot, Amar Asom, Edinor Sangbad, News 30, Ami Asomor Janagan and weeklies-periodicals like Asam Bani, Sadin, Notun Samay, Agradoot, Prantik and Goriyoshi have regularly published essays and columns by Arnab Jan Deka from the early 1990s till 2016 on many issues of topical interest.[33] His weekly column Dharabhasya ('Sayings of the Times'),[34] published in the oldest Assamese daily Dainik Asam, has been acknowledged as a series of important essays on modern world's social issues giving new directions to public opinions. This popular column started appearing in Sunday issues of Dainik Asam from 2 August 1998 onward. The title of the first instalment essay of this column was Ratnakarar Pitri-Matri aru Ajir Samaj('Ratnakar's Parents & Today's Society'), which illustrates the eternal conflict between materialism and morality.[35] His other columns include Satyar Xipithi('Other side of the Truth') in 'Natun Samay', Ajir Chinta('Today's Thoughts') in 'Dainik Janambhumi', Adhiboktar Diary('Advocate's Diary') in 'Aji' and Sangskriti Kotha('Talk about Culture') in 'Dainik Asam'.
His penultimate weekly column Hridoyor Xonglap ('Dialogues of the Heart') was published in a newly launched Assamese daily, Dainik Batori Kakot, in 2006.[36]
His articles and research papers are regularly published in journals like Prantik, Goriyoshi and Assam Sahitya Sabha Patrika.[37]
First Assamese co-author of Indo-American joint memoir book
In 2016 Arnab Jan Deka collaborated with American author Barbara Ann King on a memoir book project on American artist Sheryl Ann King, who died in an accident on 30 April 2015. The project succeeded in the shape of a book entitled Our Sherry: A Tribute to Sheryl Ann King, which was published on 30 April 2016 commemorating 1st death anniversary of the departed artist. It was the first creative book collaboration between an Assamese and an American writer in the genre of Indo-American literature.[1][38]
Film Director and Screenwriter
Arnab Jan Deka directed several documentary films including Golden Jubilee of Assam Economics Research & Pioneer Assam Economist-Littérateur (2014) on the academic and research-oriented works of the Assamese economist and literary stalwart Principal Bhabananda Deka.[15] Creative personalities from three continents (Asia, Europe and North America) joined hands in the making of this film. Indonesia-based British author Tess Joyce was the co-screenwriter and narrator of the film. Hollywood screenwriter from Spain Claire Elizabeth Terry and American researcher Terri Stiffler also collaborated in finalising the screenplay of the film.[5]
He is the screenwriter and co-director along with Waesqurni Bora of an under-production full-length docu-feature biopic film on the singer-musician-filmmaker Dr Bhupen Hazarika titled Moi Eti Zazabor.[39] He was the director of the first ever one-hour-long documentary film on medieval Assamese saint-philosopher-artist-littérateur Srimanta Sankardev made in the year 1996, which was screened in the USA and many other countries.[16][40]
Apart from writing the entire scripts of his own documentary films including Assam Sahitya Sabha, Srimanta Sankardev, Golden Jubilee of Assam Economics Research & Pioneer Assam Economist-Litterateur, he has also collaborated in screen-writing for several popular TV series including Gauri Barman directed Chakrabehu(1996), Waesqurni Bora directed Kolijar Amothu(2008) and Brajen Borah directed Soisobote Dhemalite(2011).[1]
Playwright
He is also a playwright of several radio and stage plays.[15] His first radio play Mukti('Freedom') was broadcast by All India Radio, Guwahati Centre, in 1981, when he was a 9th standard school student.[41] Mowamoriya Bidroh('Uprising of Mowamoriya Clan') was his only historical play based on a very critical phase of 18th century Kingdom of Kamrup or Assam. He wrote this drama in 1980 while he was a minor school student of 8th standard.
Actor in films, TV, stage and radio
He has also acted in several Assamese and English language TV series, stage plays, radio plays and short films including Character of an Artist based on a novel by Dr Mamoni Raisom Goswami(Indira Goswami). He played major roles in the TV series Kolijar Amothu, Soisobote Dhemalite and several others. He worked under film directors like Waesqurni Bora, Gauri Barman and Brojen Borah.[15]
Radio programmer
He was a regular radio personality on All India Radio(AIR) during his childhood and adolescent years. He started his radio career in 1978 enacting the role of a language-student in India's longest-running language teaching radio-play series Hindi Sikshar Paath, and continued performing that role for eight years till 1985. In 1985, AIR offered him the first live broadcast opportunity of world news round-up called Biswa Sangbad for which he was a radio journalist collecting world news, news editor compiling and editing the news items and news reader. He also conducted a village field-research based rural documentary programme for radio titled Gaawe Gaawe in 1986, for which he had to travel around rural India to collect interviews of village-dwellers and also discovered rural musical talents like folk-singers and gave them a national audience by recording and broadcasting their music. He also regularly took part in radio talk shows and discussions on contemporary youth and young-adult related issues at several radio stations in Guwahati and Jorhat. Apart from writing his first radio-play Mukti('Freedom') as a ninth standard school student, which was first broadcast over radio in 1981, he was also a regular actor of many popular radio-plays in several languages including Assamese, Urdu and Hindi in the 1970s and 1980s. Some of his radio acting credits include Pratham Sakhyatkaar ('First Meet'), Kabach ('The Protective Body Shield Garment'), Mukti ('Freedom'), Maitree ('The Harmony'), Idd Mubaraq ('Greetings of Islamic festival Idd').[6]
River engineer of Indo-British environmental project
He is a river engineer engaged in the research on the environmental aspects of the Brahmaputra River, and presently heads the Indo-British campaign project Save the Brahmaputra River as its international chairman.[5] Through this international project, he, together with his international coordinator Tess Joyce, has been highlighting the various environmental threats encountered by the river. He was the first river engineer in Assam to have exposed the plan of China to divert the course of the Brahmaputra river by building nine massive dams over it in Tibet.[13] He has been working in research on the Brahmaputra river with guidance and support from river engineers, hydraulics experts, eco-technocrats, geo-scientists, environmentalists and scholars like Dr Constantin Aurel Stere (The Netherlands), Dr Wolfgang-Albert Fluegel (Germany), Dr Tue Kel Nielsen (Denmark), Natsuko Totsuka (Asian Development Bank, Japan), Gerrit Klaassen (The Netherlands) and Dr Yoshiyuki Imamura (UNESCO, Switzerland). His research collaborations for Brahmaputra river engineering and environmental impact study have received worldwide media support.[11][12][14]
Eco-technocrat of Indo-American partnership project
He collaborated with American eco-technocrat Gwyndaf Jones from the Mechanical Engineering Department of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston, USA, to develop carbon-neutral eco-friendly technology for the benefit of working-class people. They have successfully developed a 3-Sprocket Chain System enhancing the capacity and efficiency of carbon-neutral tricycle-based eco-friendly passenger vehicles. Both Jones and Deka jointly conducted field trial of their prototype model with support from daily wage-earners, and received very positive feedback underlining the successful conclusion of this historic first project on eco-technology development between USA and India. This vehicle is targeted as a mass people-oriented public transport vehicle with zero carbon emission to lessen the day-to-day hardship of working-class people all over the world. London-based journal Luit to Thames highlighted this Indo-American partnership success story in its 2013 annual issue.[42]
Journal and newspaper editor
He was the editor of an Assamese journal Gandhaar[6] devoted to art, culture and poetry, while he was an undergraduate student of New Delhi's Sri Ram College of Commerce under Delhi University. Dr Birendra Kumar Bhattacharya and Chairman of India Government's top cultural body Sangeet Natak Academy Dr Bhupen Hazarika were the major literary contributors of Gandhaar from its inaugural issue published on India's Independence Day on 15 August 1987.
He was also the founder editor of the first ever campus newspaper of North-East India entitled JEC News published from Jorhat in 1989. This bilingual newspaper was published in English and Assamese. Till the publication of this newspaper, no other University or academic institution in the entire Northeast India ever published any campus newspaper. Arnab Jan Deka's pioneering role as the first editor of a campus newspaper in the whole NE India was officially recognised during the golden jubilee of Assam Government-owned Jorhat Engineering College in 2010. As acknowledgement, JEC authorities honoured him by reviving his campus newspaper again after almost two decades in a new avatar with full official patronage.[6][43]
Academic and research works
Arnab Jan Deka had successfully undertaken several important academic and research works, some of the most important works are as follows:
(1) He collaborated with Netherlands' Principal Prince Claus Laureate Dr Mamoni Raisom Goswami alias Indira Goswami and her mentor and founder of Assamese Department within the Modern Indian Languages Department of Delhi University Principal Bhabananda Deka in a historic academic mission to set up the Srimanta Sankardev Chair in that India Government's centrally-funded University. They managed to convince Delhi University authorities to agree to set up the Chair in the name of littérateur-philosopher-artist of Medieval Assam in its Modern Indian Languages(MIL) Department, and also persuaded the Chief Minister of Assam to announce a Corpus Fund for the Chair of a million Rupees. However, neither Principal Deka not Dr Goswami could see their joint dream of setting up the chair fulfilled during their lifetime.[44] After the untimely death of both the towering Assamese literary stalwarts, Arnab Jan Deka has been single-handedly working through his charity foundations Axom Ratna Principal Bhabananda Deka Foundation, Srimanta Sankardev Antarjatik Pratisthan (International Foundation) and Arnab Jan Deka Foundation to fulfil the dreams of both the departed litterateurs. Top Indian daily newspaper The Times of India repeatedly interviewed him regarding his persistent singular efforts at establishing Sankardev Chair in Delhi University.[45]
(2)He was nominated as Chief Editor of Katha Guru Charit English translation project by the Speaker of Assam Legislative Assembly in 1998. The project was envisioned to project the entire life and intellectual works of Assamese Medieval-age Saint-Philosopher-Poet-Littérateur-Artist Srimanta Sankardev in a comprehensive manner to the world academia;[40]
(3)He also conducted Research on medieval age saint-littérateur-philosopher of Assam, India, Srimanta Sankardev's pioneering works on propagating ideas of Democracy, Fraternity and Equality, and authorship and enactment of several full-length Dramas in Assamese language in the 15th Century world, which may eventually establish him as one of the first few propagators of these modern concepts and first few Dramatists-contemporaries of William Shakespeare. He successfully edited the English biographical book Sreemanta Sankaradeva originally authored by renowned scholar Principal Bhabananda Deka, which incorporates invaluable English translations of some of Sankardev's major literary works including Kirtan Ghoxa and Borgeet. Second Edition of this valuable book is published in 2015, and critically acclaimed worldwide;[46]
(4)He jointly undertook an Indo-British environmental project Save the Brahmaputra River in order to conduct extensive research and environmental audit on the serious environmental threats faced by this one of the world's mightiest rivers.[11][12]
(5)He collaborated with MIT, Boston, faculty-trainer Gwyndaf Jones in the first successfully executed Indo-American eco-friendly technology development project of 3 Sprocket Chain System for Tricycles in order to enhance the efficiency of carbon-neutral vehicles, in order to reduce global carbon footprint;[42][47]
(6)He discovered an unheralded silent innovator Uddhab Bharali from Lakhimpur town in Assam, India, who invented many cheap Machines for handy domestic and commercial use including, Paddy Thrashing Machine, Mini Tea Processing Plant, Pomegranate Deseeder Machine, Artificial Workable Limbs for Accident Victims, Grass Cutting Machines etc.; and brought him and his innovations to the limelight for the very first time by writing about him both in Assamese and English in prominent daily newspapers Dainik Asam and Assam Express in 1995;[48][49]
(7)He discovered and established the fact that pioneer Assamese filmmaker Jyotiprasad Agarwala is also the First Indian Filmmaker to have introduced and successfully used Dubbing Technology in his magnum opus first movie Joymoti (1935 film);[50][51][52][53]
(8)He conducted research on Life and Works of several Assamese legendary literary and cultural stalwarts including Dr Bhupen Hazarika, Principal Bhabananda Deka and Pradip Chaliha;
(9)He has conducted extensive research on the trail of first pioneering formal research, documentation and publication of books on the Economic Condition of Kingdom of Kamrup, Pragjyotisha and Assam, which eventually became a state in the Republic of India in the mid-20th Century, and also edited a book Ancient Heritage of Assam compiling research papers of several top scholars;
(10)He recovered, edited and published the historic first English book on Assamese language and literature meant for common readers of the world, which was originally authored by Principal Bhabananda Deka with his associates and officially released by the President of India Dr Zakir Hussain in New Delhi on 24 November 1968 on the occasion of the birth centenary of Assamese literary legend Sahityarathi Lakshminath Bezbaroa.[15]
Awards and honours
He is the recipient of Assam Government's Publication Board Golden Jubilee Novel Award in 2006 for his classic novel Bhaba Ananda Sambad('Tales of Bhabananda').[3][4] This one-time prestigious Award was announced by the Education Minister of Assam on 31 December 2006, and subsequently handed over to him at a public ceremony at the Guwahati Book Fair on 10 January 2007.
Katha International Short Story Festival held in New Delhi in January, 2004, awarded him with Katha-Goriyoshi Award for his epoch-making short-story Himalayan Mystic Meeting for its skilful depiction of the essence of Indian heritage and how it blended with universal philosophy of life.[9]
He was also honoured with the prestigious Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray Memorial Award in 2010 in the City of Joy Calcutta in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the world of literature, art and scientific research for over 35 years.[10]
India Government's official Academy of Letters Sahitya Academy recognized him as one of the top Indian writers of the 20th Century by incorporating his literary biography in the End Century Edition of the publication Who's Who of Indian Writers 1999. Age-wise, he was the youngest writer to be honoured by the top Indian literary body in the 20th century.[6][1]
Internationally renowned river scientist, author and hydraulics engineer Prof.(Dr.) Constantin Aurel Stere publicly acknowledged the global standing and repute earned by Arnab Jan Deka through his monumental works, in a speech delivered before a galaxy of intellectuals and media-persons at Guwahati Press Club. At the same programme held on 28 February 2015, Dr Stere officially launched Arnab Jan Deka's two latest English books Brahmaputra and Beyond: Linking Assam to the World and An Extraordinary Assamese Couple.[54]
Poet Jitendra Deka eulogized about him in a poem Ink and Jan (published in an e-magazine orunodoi.com) focussing on his multi-hued contributions in areas of extreme opposites like literature and technology in order to propagate the brighter side of his native land and native people of Assam to the outside world, and how he has become a shining flag-bearer for all the aspiring juniors to follow and emulate.[55]
India's Tamilnadu state based Manonmaniam Sundaranar University honoured him as a top Indian story writer by incorporating three of his very popular short stories Himalayan Mystic Meeting, An American Mother and Three Village Girls in its MA(English) course syllabus.[56]
Bibliography
English, Assamese, Hindi and Bengali books authored by Arnab Jan Deka from his first published book in 1983 up to the year 2015 are:[6]
Poetry
1. Ephanki Rhode[6](1983) – Assamese
2. A Stanza of Sunlight on the Banks of Brahmaputra (2009) – English-Assamese bilingual (jointly authored with British poet Tess Joyce)[13][14]
3. Tomar Bukut Biyopi Robo Nodi[6](1996)– Assamese
4. Ekanto Premor Ritu (2010)– Assamese
5. Mor Soisob Koishoror Kobita (2008)– Assamese
6. Mor Geeti Kobitar Prithibi (2008) – Assamese
7. Arnab Janor Nirbachito Premor Kobita (2008) – Assamese
8. Arnab Janor Nirbachito Xokar Kobita (2008) – Assamese
9. Arnab Janor Nirbachito Anandor Kobita (2008) – Assamese
10. Meri Kuch Kobitaye (2008) – Hindi
Novel
11. Astarambha[57] (1999) – Assamese
12. Noishoclubot Bigotojoubona (2000) – Assamese
13. Hridoyor Dinlipi (2000) – Assamese
14. Nayokor Nagari (2002) -- Assamese
15. Bhaba Ananda Sambad[3][4] (2007) – Assamese
16. Mexico Shohorot Ejoni Premika (2002) – Assamese
17. Bhai Bhai (2000) – Assamese Children's Novel
18. Good Times Bad Times (2012) -- Assamese
19. Andhakaror Kobita (2010) – Assamese
20. Childhood Dreams (2010) – English Children's Novel
21. Moi aru Bhupenda (2011) – Assamese
Short-story
22. Nareebador Narak[31] (1999) – Assamese
23. Akasmat Ek Abeli[27][28][29][30] (2004) – Assamese
24. Mexico Shohore Ekjon Premika Abong Koyekta Golpo (2009) – Bengali
25. Prem Asambhav[26] (2013) -- Assamese
26. Hridoybotir Sandhan (2015)– Assamese
27. The Mexican Sweetheart & other stories (2015) - English
28. Sahridoy Nagari Nishiddha Nagari (2015)– Assamese
29. Mor Bideshi Bandhabi (2015) – Assamese
30. Arnab Janor Prem aru Bandhutwar Galpa (2015) – Assamese
31. Duphori Gawor Niranjana Aita & other stories (2017)– Assamese
Novelette
32. Silpi Diboshor Zaroj Santan (1999) Assamese
33. Abhijat Abhisarikar Edin Enisha (1999) Assamese
34. Khalnayikar Hanhi (2004) Assamese
Biography
35. Anya Ek Zazabor[6] (1993) – Assamese
36. Asomor Jibonto Kalakshetra Pradip Chaliha (2003) – Assamese
37. Arthanitijna-Sikshabid-Sahityik Adhyaksha Bhabananda Deka : Ek Barnadhya Jibon (2006) – Assamese
38. Asomor Arthaniti Chorchar Batkotiya Adhyaksha Bhabananda Deka (2007) – Assamese
39. Mor 30 Bosoriya Sahityik Jibonor Swapna Aru Sadhana (2008) – Assamese Autobiography
40. Jewel of Assam Principal Bhabananda Deka (Ed.) (2008) – English
41. Bharotiyo Chitrotarokar Soite Moi (2008) – Assamese
42. Amar Amulya (2002)(Ed. Essay Collection) - Assamese
43. Mor Sinaki Bhupenda (2008) – Assamese
44. Ekmebodwitiyam Dr Bhabendra Nath Saikia (2005) – Assamese
45. Barnamoy Rupot Bhupen Hazarika (1993) – Assamese
46. Mor Porichita Biswabijoyi Abhinetri Seema Biswas (1995) – Assamese
47. Cinema Legend Kamal Haasan (1991) – Assamese
48. Bitarkar Abortat Bhupen Hazarika (1994) – Assamese
49. Bhupen Hazarikak Asomor Matiye Bhul Nubujeto! (1994) – Assamese
50. Mohajibon Sandhanir Sahacharjya (1998) – Assamese
51. Hridoyban Suhridor Smriti (2000) – Assamese
52. Smritir Dolichat Ananya Asomiya (2004) – Assamese
53. Smritir Dolichat Ananya Biswar Nagorik (2004) – Assamese
54. Diaryr Pristhat Kisu Sukhosmriti (2005) – Assamese
55. Biswabikhyat Chalachitro Byoktitwar Sannidhya (2008) – Assamese
56. Bhupen Hazarika, Bhabananda Deka, Mamoni Raisom Goswami : 3 Jewels of Assam 3 Pathbreakers (Ed.)(2011) - English & Assamese
57. The Pioneer Economist (2014) - English
Radio & Stage Play
58. Mukti[6] (1989) – Assamese Radio Play broadcast in 1981,
59. Mowamoriya Bidroh (1980) – Assamese Stage Play
Essay
60. Jouban aru Dristi[6] (2011) – Assamese
61. Jibonor Dharabhasya (1999) – Assamese
62. Manuhor Adhikar Manuhor Dayitwa (1999) – Assamese
63. Jibonor Barnamoy Roop-Ras (1999) – Assamese
64. Ekhon Nika Samajor Swapna (1999) – Assamese
65. Youth & Vision [6](1994) - English
66. Hridoyor Sanglap (2004) – Assamese
67. Satyar Sipithi (2004) – Assamese
68. Arokshir Choritra aru Dayitwa (2004) – Assamese
69. Bharotiyo Mulyabodh aru Noitikota (2004) – Assamese
70. Mor Dristit Naree Swadhinota (2004) – Assamese
71. Challenges Towards the Medium of Free Speech (2004) – Assamese
72. Issues of Television (2004) – Assamese
73. Thoughts about Assam (2004) – Assamese
74. An Economic Manifesto for Assam (2004) – Assamese
75. My Views on Indian Politics & Democracy (2004) – Assamese
76. Glimpses on Indian Polity (2004) – Assamese
77. My thoughts on India (2004) – Assamese
78. Sakhyatkarot Ejon Mukhyamantri (2004) – Assamese
79. Bhupen Hazarikar Rajniti (2004) – Assamese
80. Sikshar Madhyom (2004) – Assamese
81. Mor Dristit Srimanta Sankardev (2004) – Assamese
82. Antarjatik Patabhumit Sankardev (2004) – Assamese
83. Srimanta Sankardev : A Universal Projection (2005) – English
Technology
84. Diary of an Engineer (2005) – Assamese
85. Draft of Assam’s Development : An Engineer’s Perspective (2006) – Assamese
86. Handbook of Civil Engineer (2005) – Assamese
Film & Television Script
87. Srimanta Sankardev : A Visual Documentary (2005)– English
88. Golden Jubilee of Assam Economics Research & the Pioneer Assam Economist-Littérateur (2014)- English
89. Chakrabehu (1996)- Assamese TV-series(scripted jointly with Gauri Barman)
90. Kolijar Amothu (2008)- Assamese TV-series(scripted jointly with Late Waesqurni Bora)
91. Soisobote Dhemalite (2010)- Assamese TV-series(scripted jointly with Brojen Borah)
Cinema
92. Chalachitrar Oscar (1998) – Assamese
93. Biswa Chalachitrar Mahanayaksakal (1998) – Assamese
94. Bharotiyo Chalachitrar Janadiyek Mohiruh (1998) – Assamese
95. Natun Tathyar Alokat : Bharotiyo Chalachitrar Prokrito Batkotiya(1999)– Assamese
96. Natun Chalachitrakaror Hatputhi (1998) – Assamese
97. Asomiya Chalachitrar Ras Sandhan (1998) – Assamese
98. Asomiya Chalachitrar Unnayan : Mor Chinta Bhabona (1998) – Assamese
99. Mor Dristire Tholuwa Chalachitra : Kola aru Banijya (1999) – Assamese
100. Rupali Pardat Rupor Sandhan[6] (1996) – Assamese
101. Social Commitment in Cinema (1998) – Assamese
102. Abismaraniya Chalachitrar Montage (1998) – Assamese
103. Desh-Bideshor Chalachitra (1998) – Assamese
Travelogue
104. Smaraniyo Bhromonor Dinlipi (2000) – Assamese
105. Dakshinor Hollywoodat Kisudin (2000) – Assamese
106. Bharotiyo Pratinidhir Sajot Antarjatik Chalachitra Mahotsabat (2000) – Assamese
107. Bombay Chalachitra Samarohar Diary (2002) – Assamese
Literary Issues
108. Mor Koishoror Rachanabor (1998) – Assamese
109. Patrabandhobiloi Mukoli Chithi (1998) – Assamese
110. Shishur Kalpanare Eta Bhutor Sapon (1998) – Assamese
111. Katha, Goriyoshi aru Moi (2004) – Assamese
112. Nobin Lekhakar Hatputhi (2004) – Assamese
113. Granthar Prithibit Ebhumuki (1998) – Assamese
114. Asam Sahitya Sabhar Aat Dhori (1998) – Assamese
115. Mor Nirbachito Sampadokiyo (1998) – Assamese
116. Mor Bibhinno Samoyik Rachana(1998) – Assamese
Law
117. Adhiboktar Diary (2004) – Assamese
118. Sadharon Raijor Babe Aain (2004) – Assamese
119. Natun Adhiboktar Haatputhi (2004) – Assamese
Miscellaneous
120. Sadharon Jyanor Bahaduri (2000) – Assamese Quiz based compilation
121. Sanskriti Katha (2000) – Assamese Essays on cultural round-up
122. My Encounter with People & Events (2000) – Assamese Cultural diary
123. Sakshatkarot Kamal Haasan – (2000) – Assamese reminiscence
124. Sakshatkarot Khushwant Singh (2000) – Assamese reminiscence
125. Sakshatkarot Bhupen Hazarika (2000) – Assamese reminiscence
Environment
126. An Assamese-American Eco-Technology Partnership (2013)- English
127. Save the Brahmaputra River (2015)- English (co-authored with Tess Joyce)
Memoirs
128. Golden Years at Jorhat Engineering College (English) (2015)
129. The Cosmopolitan Century : Memories of Cotton Cosmopolitan Hostel(English) (2010)
130. Brahmaputra and Beyond : Linking Assam to the World through International Partnerships in Technology, Art & Literature[12][54](English) (2015)
131. Our Sherry : A Tribute to Sheryl Ann King (English) (coauthored with Barbara Ann King(USA))[38] (2016)
Edited Books, Journal, Newspaper
132. Gandhar (Assamese journal on culture & poetry)(Assamese) (1987)
133. JEC News (English-Assamese bilingual campus newspaper) (1989)
134. Mor Kobita (Author-Principal Bhabananda Deka)(Assamese) (2007)
135. Last Testament of Principal Bhabananda Deka(English) (2009)
136. Iron Man of Assam Bishnuram Medhi (Author-Principal Bhabananda Deka)(English) (2010)
137. Dharmatatva (Author-Principal Bhabananda Deka)(Assamese) (2012)
138. 5 Centuries of Assam Economy (Author-Principal Bhabananda Deka)(Assamese) (2013)
139. From the Pages of Awahon-Ramdhenu (Author-Principal Bhabananda Deka)(Assamese) (2013)
140. Assamese Language-Literature & Sahityarathi Lakshminath Bezbaroa (Author-Principal Bhabananda Deka, Dr Parikshit Hazarika, Upendra Nath Goswami, Prabhat Chandra Sarma)(English) (2014)
141. Sahityik Dampati Adhyaksha Bhabananda Deka Nalini Prava Deka (Assamese) (2014)
142. An Extraordinary Assamese Couple[54] (English) (2015)
143. Sreemanta Sankaradeva (Author-Prof. Bhabananda Deka) (English) (2015)
144. Awahon-Ramdhenu Jugor Xahityik Adhyaksha Bhabananda Deka (Assamese-English) (2015)
145. Dui Mohiyoxi Priyam Hazarika Nalini Prava Deka (Assamese-English) (2015)
146. Sankardeva's Kirtan Ghosa by Principal Bhabananda Deka (English) (2016)
147. Sankardeva's Life & Works' Companion Ladies by Nalini Prava Deka (Assamese) (2016)
148. Antaranga JEC 1987-91 (English-Assamese) (2016)
149. North-East India's Hajong Tribe : Society & Culture (Author-Principal Bhabananda Deka) (2017)
150. Prabandha Koroni (Author-Nalini Prava Deka) (2017)
Filmography
Documentaries & Feature Films
Year | Title | Role | Language | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1993 | Assam Sahitya Sabha | Director, Screenwriter | English | 1 hour |
1994 | Priyojon | Actor, Dubbing Artiste, Production Coordinator, Media Coordinator | Assamese | 2 hours 30 min. |
1996 | Guru Pranati | Director, Narrator | Assamese | 1 hour |
1997 | Srimanta Sankardev | Director, Screenwriter, Producer | English | 1 hour |
2014 | Golden Jubilee of Assam Economics Research & Pioneer Assam Economist-Litterateur | Director, Screenwriter, Cinematographer, Producer | English | 15 min. |
2015 | Land Encroachment & Urban Flooding : Case Study of a Guwahati Street | Director, Screenwriter, Narrator, Cinematographer, Editor, Producer | English | 10 min. |
2015 | Farewell, My Lady! : Homage to Ugandan Diplomat & First Indian Lady Film Choreographer Priyamvada Patel Hazarika | Director, Screenwriter, Cinematographer, Editor, Producer | Silent | 5 min. |
2019 | Principal Bhabananda Deka : Portrait of an Extraordinary Indian | Director, Screenwriter | English | Under-production |
2019 | Moi Eti Zazabor : Docu-feature Biopic on legendary singer-musician Dr Bhupen Hazarika | Director, Screenwriter, Actor, Narrator | English | Under-production |
2019 | My Sweetheart in Mexico | Director, Story & Screenwriter, Lead Actor | English-Assamese-Spanish | Under-production |
TV Series
Year | Title | Role | Director | Language | Channel |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1996 | Chakrabehu | Screenwriter, Chief Assistant Director | Gauri Barman | Assamese | Doordarshan |
2008 | Kolijar Amothu | Actor, Screenwriter | Late Waesqurni Bora | Assamese | Doordarshan |
2008 | Character of an Artist | Actor | Brojen Borah | English | Doordarshan(North East India) |
2011 | Soisobote Dhemalite (Childhood Dreams) | Original Storywriter, Screenwriter, Actor | Brojen Borah | Assamese | Doordarshan |
2019 | Naya Kurukshetra | Original Novelist, Screenwriter, Associate Director | Parmod Pabbi | Hindi | Under production |
Radiography
Radio Programmes
Year | Programme Title | Genre | Role | Language | Radio Centre |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1978-85 | Hindi Sikshar Paath | Plays on language teaching | Student | Hindi & Assamese (bilingual) | AIR, Guwahati |
1984 | Yuva Piri aur Fashion | Discussion on Youth | Panelist | Hindi | AIR, Guwahati |
1985 | Biswa Sangbad | World news live broadcast | Radio Journalist, News Editor, News Reader | Assamese | AIR, Guwahati |
1986 | Gaawe Gaawe | Rural documentary | Interviewer, Sound-recordist, Scriptwriter, Narrator | Assamese | AIR, Guwahati |
1991 | Drug Addiction among Youth | Talks | Writer, Broadcaster | Assamese | AIR, Jorhat |
1991 | Analysis of Technical Education Scenario in Assam | Talks | Writer, Broadcaster | Assamese | AIR, Jorhat |
2008 | 25 years of first book of Arnab Jan Deka | Interview | Interviewed by RJ Pahee | Assamese | Big 92.7 FM |
Radio Actor
Year | Radio-play Title | Role | Language | Radio Centre |
---|---|---|---|---|
1978-85 | Hindi Sikshar Paath | Student | Hindi-Assamese (bilingual) | AIR, Guwahati |
1979 | Kabach | King Suhung Mung | Assamese | AIR, Guwahati |
1980 | Pratham Sakshatkaar | Colonel Anthony | Assamese | AIR, Guwahati |
1980 | Maitree | Dipak | Assamese | AIR, Guwahati |
1981 | Mukti | Ranjan | Assamese | AIR, Guwahati |
1985 | Idd Mubarak | Salim | Urdu | AIR, Guwahati |
TV Programmes
Year | Programme | Role | Language | TV channel |
---|---|---|---|---|
1992 | Meeting Chief Minister, Assam | Participant | Assamese | Guwahati Doordarshan |
1993 | Interview with Social Welfare Minister | Interviewer | Assamese | Guwahati Doordarshan |
1995 | Interview with 'Bandit Queen' lead actress Seema Biswas | Interviewer | Assamese | Guwahati Doordarshan |
2008 | Discussion on Cyber Crime | Panelist | English | News Live |
2008 | Interview on Late Waesqurni Bora | Interviewed by TV reporter | Assamese | DY365 |
2009 | Discussion on the book A Stanza of Sunlight on the Banks of Brahmaputra | Co-panelist with Tess Joyce (England) | English | NETV |
2010 | Discussion on Future of Assamese Cinema | Panelist | Assamese | NETV |
2011 | Interview on Late Dr Bhupen Hazarika | Interviewed by TV reporter | Assamese | News Live |
2011 | Discussion on Property Inheritance of Late Dr Bhupen Hazarika | Panelist | Assamese | NETV |
2012 | Interview on Book Launch of Late Prof. Bhabananda Deka | Interviewed by TV reporter | Assamese | Prime News |
2013 | Interview on Illegal Land Grabbing, Urban Flooding and Fake Finance Company Operators | Interviewed by TV reporters | Assamese | News Time Assam, News Live |
2013 | Interview on Golden Jubilee Book Launch of Late Prof. Bhabananda Deka | Interviewed by TV reporter | Assamese | Prag News |
2015 | Interview on Book Launch of 'Brahmaputra and Beyond' and 'An Extraordinary Assamese Couple' | Interviewed by TV reporter | Assamese | Prag News |
Awards
Year | Association | Location | Award | Work | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2003 | Katha International Short Story Festival | New Delhi | All India Katha-Goriyoshi Award | Himalayan Mystic Meeting (short story) | Won |
2006 | Assam Government Publication Board | Guwahati | Golden Jubilee Novel Award | Bhaba Ananda Sambad (novel) | Won |
2010 | Academy of Bengali Poetry | Calcutta | Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray Memorial Award | Lifetime Contribution to Literature, Art & Scientific Research | Won |
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