On July 14, 2025, the Assam Sahitya Sabha, Assam’s premier literary organization, announced the launch of a groundbreaking translation project aimed at bringing the world’s most influential critical essays to Assamese readers. This initiative, initiated by the Sabha’s publication sub-committee, aims to fill a significant gap in Assamese literature by translating essays that have shaped modern thought and consciousness. The project marks a significant step in enriching Assam’s literary landscape and shaping intellectual dialogue.
Overview
The Assam Sahitya Sabha, established in 1917, has long been a prized possession of Assamese cultural and literary heritage. While translations of foreign stories, novels, and poems have found their way into Assamese, critical essays—works that offer deep insights into philosophy, culture, and societal issues—have largely remained untranslated. This project aims to address that void by making globally significant essays accessible to Assamese readers, thereby broadening their intellectual horizons.
The initiative is being carefully planned and coordinated by a distinguished group of academics, including:
- Professor Madan Sarma
- Professor Bibhash Choudhury (Gauhati University)
- Professor Jyotirmoy Pradhani (North-Eastern Hill University)
- Professor Hemjyoti Medhi (Tezpur University)
- Professor Mridul Bordoloi (Dibrugarh University)
- Professor Arindam Sharma (Chaiduar College)
- Professor Arindam Borkotoky (Tezpur University)
These scholars are leading the effort to ensure the translations are of high quality and mix with the Assamese audience while preserving the essence of the original works.
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Translators Involved
The project has enlisted a talented pool of professors and research scholars from various universities and colleges across Assam. According to a press release signed by Debajit Bora, the principal secretary of Assam Sahitya Sabha, the following individuals have been entrusted with translation responsibilities:
- Juri Dutta (Tezpur University)
- Dibya Khataniar (Guwahati College)
- Lakhipriya Gogoi (Dibrugarh University)
- Prasanjit Das (KK Handiqui Open University)
- Manabendra Sharma (B Borooah College)
- Pari Hiloidari (Handique Girls’ College)
- Pranjal Sharma Basishtha (Gauhati University)
- Debabhushan Bora (Sati Sadhani University)
- Dalim Das (Gauhati University)
- Anup Kumar Das (Pandu College)
- Pallabi Konwar (Pandu College)
- Ananya Hiloidari (Nowgong College)
- Dhrujati Sharma (Gauhati University)
- Stuti Goswami (Royal Global University)
- Dibyajyoti Bora (Hemprabha Borbora College)
- Ajitabh Hazarika (Research Scholar)
- Himangshu Sharma (Research Scholar)
- Manab Medhi (Bodoland University)
- Apurba Kumar Hazarika (Majuli College)
- Siddhartha Goswami (Sati Sadhani University)
- Manas Pratim Bora (Sati Sadhani University)
- Nasmim Akhtar (Dibrugarh University)
- Hemchandra Dutta (Translator)
- Shibajit Dutta (Doomdooma College)
- Partha Pratim Goswami
This diverse group of translators brings a wealth of expertise and perspectives, ensuring an effective and inclusive approach to the project.
Significance
The translation of critical essays holds immense potential for Assamese literature and intellectual common masses. These essays, which have influenced modern thought globally, cover a wide range of topics, including philosophy, sociology, literary criticism, and cultural studies. By making such works available in Assamese, the project aims to:
- Enrich Assamese Literature: Introducing critical essays will diversify the literary offerings in Assamese, providing readers with access to thought-provoking content that would enhance intellectual thoughts and engagements.
- Foster Global Connections: Translating global works into Assamese will join cultural and intellectual gaps, allowing Assamese readers to engage with ideas that have shaped modern thoughts worldwide.
- Empower Scholars and Readers: The project provides an opportunity for Assamese scholars to contribute to the global literary mass while enabling readers to explore new ideas in their native language.
- Preserve Cultural Identity: By translating these works into Assamese, the Sabha enhances the importance of the Assamese language as a medium for intellectual and cultural expression.
Assam Sahitya Sabha’s Efforts
This translation project aligns with the Asam Sahitya Sabha’s broader mission to promote and preserve the Assamese language, literature, and culture. Founded in 1917 by Padmanath Gohain Baruah, the Sabha has been instrumental in standardizing the Assamese language and fostering literary activities across Assam and beyond. Its initiatives, such as the Setubandhan campaign, aim to build cultural bridges with neighboring states like Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and the Barak Valley, while promoting Assamese as a vibrant and living language.
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The Sabha’s recent activities, including the 77th biennial session in Pathsala (January 31–February 4, 2025), which drew over 30 lakh attendees, highlight its commitment to cultural and literary excellence. The organization has also ventured into innovative areas, such as hosting a science fair to foster scientific curiosity alongside literary pursuits, demonstrating its adaptability to contemporary needs.
Challenges and Opportunities
Translating critical essays is a complex task that requires not only linguistic proficiency but also a deep understanding of the cultural and intellectual contexts of both the source and target languages. The translators will need to navigate nuances in tone, style, and meaning to ensure the essays resonate with Assamese readers. However, this challenge also presents an opportunity to showcase the richness of the Assamese language and its capacity to convey complex ideas.
Moreover, translation initiatives like this one can increase the visibility and readership of Assamese literature. By making Assamese works accessible to a broader audience and bringing global works into Assamese, the Sabha can create a cycle of literary growth and cultural exchange.
Aim
The Asam Sahitya Sabha’s translation project is a bold and visionary step toward enriching Assamese literature and fostering intellectual growth. As the project progresses, it is expected to inspire further initiatives to translate and promote Assamese works in other languages, creating a two-way exchange of ideas. The involvement of esteemed scholars and the Sabha’s commitment to cultural preservation ensure that this project will have a lasting impact on Assam’s literary landscape.
For those interested in following the progress of this initiative or contributing to the Asam Sahitya Sabha’s efforts, visit their official website at www.asamsahityasabha.in. Writers and scholars are encouraged to submit articles in Assamese or English to be featured on the platform, further amplifying the reach of Assamese literature.
This project is a testament to the Asam Sahitya Sabha’s enduring legacy as a guardian of Assamese culture and a beacon of literary excellence. Stay tuned for updates as this initiative unfolds, bringing the world’s finest critical essays to the heart of Assam.
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