Anuradha Sharma Pujari (অনুৰাধা শৰ্মা পূজাৰী) is an influential Assamese journalist and author. She is the editor of Sadin and Satsori. Her contributions to Assamese literature include fiction and essays. Her first novel is Hriday Ek Bigyapan, which became popular among the youth of Assam.
A lot of us might have undergone the "University Life" and we can agree that the amount of different people we come across do impact our lives in a variety of ways. নাহৰৰ নিৰিবিলি ছাঁ is a novel written about the author's experience as a student in Dibrugarh University.
The description of Dibrugarh University by the author is very vivid and the reader is transported to the campus; the "Nahor" trees, the tea gardens etc. can be imagined strongly. The story is narrated through the lens of Bhaswati(ভাস্বতি) - a bold character who describes her various encounters with the people throughout her stay in her college. The author touches themes like marital rape, pregnancy before marriage, suicide, death in a carefully constructed empathetic lens. Political issues like Assam Agitation which took place in the period in which the story is set is also discussed. The characters are multilayered, having their own demons, can be related to and be criticised on.
A quite relatable novel for everyone; can be nostalgic for people reminiscing their college lives. Will recommend.
It is nostalgia of an era beautifully depicted through the protagonist’s years in Dibrugarh University. A journey through various characters takes us through the political and social landscape of Assam including student politics, Assam Agitation and armed revolution along with ever present college drama of heartbreaks and relationships. Beautifully penned. It gives me an idea of what college life might have been for my parents.
This one is the book from where I learnt the word "lesbian".. I thanks ASP for that little piece of knowledge. That was my first reading encounter with the world of LGBTQ+.. to which I now am a part of.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.