Discography
Discography
Take a minute to write an introduction that is short, sweet, and to the point.
Makam
Makam represents life. This is the story of the Assamese-Chinese, who were arrested, interned and deported by the Indian Government during the Sino-Indian war in 1962. This is a crucial part of war strangely never touched by any scholar. Dr Chowdhury is the lone voice of those war-affected people; who are still sandwiched between national self-glorification of both the nations. This is her powerful voice for those people. Intellectuals all over the world have been taking note of her work and inviting her to speak on it; including the Jaipur Literary Festival and several international seminars of Delhi University.
Makam is a landmark creation in her literary career. ‘Makam’ or ‘The Golden Horse’ truly helped her literary fame run in a horse’s pace. Ten editions of Makam were published in the year it was released. It is itself a record in the history of Assamese novel. The English translation of Makam has been translated and published by Pan Macmillan India.
Mayabritta
‘Mayabritta’ the very title suggest epitomises worldly illusion – which per se is inextricably woven into the basic premises of Indian philosophy.
Dr. Rita Chowdhury, adept as she is in the craft of storytelling, brilliantly puts together a gamut of elements from our philosophy, civilisation, culture and traditions to coalesce into an expanded metaphor, in which the narrative is seamlessly cast. Spread on a large canvas, the circuitous course of the story unfolds a leisurely interplay of emotions, effects and events; both at their physical and also metaphysical manifestations, with the imposing presence of Ganga – the lifeline of India – from source to confluence, in the backdrop, providing an aura of mysticism—true to the essence of “maya”.
The storyline of ‘Mayabritta’ meanders through various planes with lots of twists and turns like the course of the great river Ganga from Gomukh to the Bay of Bengal. But every turn of the story explores an unknown region of experience and expounds a new facet of social disparity, cultural diversity, male domination, atrocities on women, environmental depredation, interspersed with appropriate analogical reference to myth and folk tales, besides pronounced undertone of feminism.
The basic theme of the story extolls the indomitable spirit of a woman born to hesitating hospitality of her parents, because of their gender bias and her black complexion. With painstaking efforts and sustained focus she succeeds being an author of considerable repute, which itself is a tribute to her never-say-die spirit in holding herself together with courage, conviction and fortitude against all odds.
Deo Lankhui
Deo Langkhui (meaning The Divine Sword) unveils some significant aspects of the contemporary Tiwa society and a series of their customs and traditions. The novel is based on historical evidence of then Tiwa Kingdom. The main protagonist is the royal lady Chandraprabha, queen of Pratapchandra. The novel is a detailed account of the time of then Assam. It is full of romance, conflict, betrayal, aggression and loyalty. The novel can be read as a fantastic story, as a historical novel, or as an epic. This is the novel for which Sahitya Akademi award was bestowed on the author.
Ei Xamai Xei Xamai
In 1988, the author wrote the book Tirthabhumi which draw the picture of the Assam Movement which had a significant impact on the social, political and economic state of Assam. However, the novel was too small to reflect the life of the contemporary Assam. So, the author wrote this novel again as, ‘El Samay Sei Samay’. It covers a time span of almost 25 years from the beginning of the Assam movement.
The name of the novel itself suggests that it represents two different period of time—the past and the present. Two different generations represent the two different period of time. The story of the novel revolve around the main character of the novel Aditi Choudhury who is a college teacher and who had been an influential activist during the time of the Assam Movement — the movement that had played a pivotal role in changing the political, social and cultural scenario of Assam. Being an activist during the movement Aditi witnessed the Assamese people fighting for their various causes. She became the onlooker of the socio-political happenings after her marriage to her co-activist turned politician Chandan, when the movement was over. The author has covered the different aspects of socio-political history of Assam of that period.
Maha Jibonor Adharxila
The narrative, its backdrop and characters of this novel may be imaginary, but the situation it deals with has all the elements of reality. The novel describes the psychology of a group of deviated youth.
A situational novel based on the post movement scenario of Assam, it delves deep into the mind of some young people. Dr. Rita Chowdhury, a keen observer of the situation and also a compatriot for the plight of the youths and the fate that befell, but finally rose above the situation and reconciled. She realizes that living for something is a part of life, and living for a cause is the life itself, or more so, the foundation of a great life. Hence, the title of the novel. The youths in the novel is honest and sincere but disillusioned with the social system that threw them into despair and anguish in spite of its best efforts to make life meaningful. The author seems to drive home another point—the magical effect of love and affection on human mind.
Neverland - Zero : Hour
Commencing from the general election of a united Pakistan, the story unfurls at its own cadence, spanning Dhaka, Karachi, Delhi, Haflong, Dandakaranya, and Malkangiri. Within these pages, the account intricately intertwines Pakistan’s endeavors to obstruct Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, India’s role during that epoch, and the pivotal phases of the liberation war. The social landscape of East Bengal in 1971 is depicted with a detached yet poignant gaze. Additionally, it sheds light on India’s strategic stance during that juncture and the resolute determination of Pakistani authorities to prevent Sheikh Mujib from assuming power. East Bengal stands as a grim epitome, exemplifying the appalling depths of genocide. The Bangladesh liberation war not only reshaped global geography but also forced millions to flee their nation. Its reverberations persist even after five decades. In ‘Zero Hour,’ the novelist discovers a metaphorical ‘Neverland’.