By Emon Bhagawati
Mahim Bora is a versatile literary
genius in the field of Assamese literature. He can be regarded as the master of
Assamese short stories writings. His splendid, minute and detailed description
of a simple subject-matter, specifically in the rural background makes the
reader spell-bound. Kathonibari Ghat, the marvelous book of Assamese
short stories, Bohubhuji Tribhuj, Eai
Nodir Xoite, Rati Phula phul, Tinir Tini Gol, Herowa Digantar Maya etc.
stands on the same footing of international short stories. One can find hopes
and aspirations, struggle and despair, success and failure and determination of
human life as depicted in Hemingway’s Old
Man and The Sea reflected in Mahim Bora’s short stories to a great extent.
‘Top’
is a beautiful short story by Mahim Bora, entailed in his collection Kathoni Bari Ghat. This wonderful short
story has been translated to English by another renowned Assamese writer Lalit
Saikia, titled as The Bait. The
description of the background of the short story Top is indeed very charming just like his other short stories. Benu
and Cheni are two characters who were born and brought up in the rural
atmosphere. They have got ample time and used to spend it by hooking fish. They
approached Haribol burha for preparing the string very much needed to tie with
the hook. There is a strong belief in the village that the string prepared by
Haribol burha is best for fishing by hooking. The writer’s description of each
and every description of the events in the story is very interesting and also
very simple. Mahim Bora writes on very simple and on general subjects. But,
while doing so he endowed it with his unparallel literary skill and wisdom.
People living in villages used to do simple jobs but with utmost care and
dedication. We find youthful activeness and rural simplicity in the depiction
of the characters- Beni and Cheni. But the characters lacks colourful variety
on the other hand.
Top
is splendid on
account of its form and the unity of the actions but it lacks the colourful and
variance in its content. In the story we find the dramatic elements from the
beginning to the end continuously captures the interest of the readers which
enhances its literary value. Also, its graphic narrative of the rural scenario
is marvellous and lively. The writer spent his childhood days mostly in the
culture-rich surroundings of rural Nagaon. So, in his short stories we find him
as an observer of folk and rural situations.
Mahim Bora is a silent devotee of
creative Assamese literature who worshipped the phenomenon of ‘art for art’s
sake’. His creative sensibility, social consciousness and responsibility
towards the society immensely strengthen his literary outlook and thus the
society gets truly reflected in his wonderful literary creations. His step to
the genre of short stories of Assamese literature ushers new horizon of hope and
aspiration amid despair and disillusionment. He is one of the notable dazzling
stars in the Ramdhenu age who devoted his whole life in reflecting true
pictures of the then prevailing society and a urge to change it through his
towering literary creation and thus capable of creating literature of
world-standard.
About
the author: The author, Emon Bhagawati has done M.A. from
Dibrugarh University and as a student of literature she loves to endeavour the
varied and new aspects of literature and also the bio-graphics of the great
masters of the literary world.
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