Languages and Literature of Assam
Languages of assam
Assamese
Assamese is spoken all along the Brahmaputra valley and sounds quite sounds quite similar to Bengali to a non-speaker (i.e. non-Bengali or non-Assamese speaker), but have significant differences, especially in grammar, pronunciations and vocabularies. The oldest Assamese writer was perhaps Hema Saraswati, who wrote his famous Prahlada Charita in the late 13th century AD. Madhava Kandali (14th century) was the next well-known figure, having written a vernacular Ramayana. Prominent among 15th century works were Durgavara’s Giti Ramayana, poems and songs from the Puranas by Pitambara and Manakara and the mass of literature called Mantras of unknown authorship.
Bodo language
A language of the Tibeto-Burman branch of Sino-Tibetan languages having several dialects. Bodo is spoken in the northeastern Indian states of Assam and Meghalaya and in Bangladesh. It is related to Dimasa, Tripura, and Lalunga languages, and it is written in Latin, Devanagari, and Bengali scripts.
Rabha language
Rabha is a Sino-Tibetan language of India. The two dialects, Maituri and Rongdani, are divergent enough to cause problems in Communication. According to U.V. Jose, there are three dialects, viz. Róngdani or Róngdania, Mayturi or Mayturia and Songga or Kocha (page ix). Jose writes that “the Kocha dialect, spoken along the northern bank of the Brahmaputra, is highly divergent and is not intelligible to a Róngdani or Mayturi speaker” (page ix). Jose also writes that “[t]he dialect variations between Róngdani and Mayturi, both of which are spoken on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra, in the Goalpara district of Assam and belong to the northern slopes of Meghalaya, are minimal”. Jose concludes the paragraph on dialectal variation with: “The Róngdani-Mayturi dialectal differences become gradually more marked as one moves further west”.
Karbi
Despite of the 420,000 speakers spread across North-East Indian states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Nagaland—is one of the vulnerable languages of South Asia as identified by UNESCO. Karbi is grouped under the Mikir languages which itself is part of the 50-odd-languages that are known as the Kuki-Chin language group or simply known as Kukish languages. The last known census was in 2001 and the number of speakers might have increased by now but there are only a handful of people that are working for reviving the language. One of them is D.S. Teron who is a veteran and is a full time self-sponsored researcher based in the Karbi Anglong district of Assam. This page that is based on our conversation with Teron leads to some of the most important aspects of the Karbi language—like Narration of a folklore, folk song, local festival celebrations and traditional games. The Karbi elders have been historically great storytellers, be it while recounting the past of deceased family members through Mosera Kihir, or the wailing songs of Kecharhe remembering the dead. Karbi is also known as Arleng or Mikir. Our guest, Mr. Teron is from one of the five clans that are also known as Kur—these are Terang, Teron, Enghee. Ingti and Timung.
Mishing language
Mising/Mishing, also known as Plains Miri, is a Tani language spoken by the Mishing people. There are 517,170 speakers, who inhabit mostly the Lakhimpur, Sonitpur, Dhemaji, Dibrugarh, Sibsagar, Jorhat, Golaghat, Tinsukia districts of Assam. The primary literary body of Mising is known as ‘Mising Agom Kébang.
Literature of Assam
Probably the earliest text in a language that is incontestably Assamese is the Prahlada Charitra of the late 13th-century poet Hema Saraswati. Written in a heavily Sanskritized style, it tells the story, from the Vishnu-Purana, of how the mythical prince Prahlada’s faith in Vishnu saved him from destruction and restored the moral order. The first great Assamese poet was Madhava Kandali (14th century), who made the earliest translation of the Sanskrit Ramayana and wrote Devajit, a narrative on Krishna. The Bhakti Movement brought a great literary upsurge. The most famous Assamese poet of that period was Shankaradeva (1449–1568), whose many works of poetry and devotion are still read today and who inspired such poets as Madhavadeva (1489–1596) to write lyrics of great beauty. Peculiar to Assamese literature are the buranjis, chronicles written in a prose tradition taken to Assam by the Ahom people originally from what is now Yunnan, China. Assamese buranjis date from the 16th century, though the genre appears much earlier in the original Tai language of the Ahom.
One of the first plays to be written in the Assamese language was playwright and lexicographer Hemchandra Barua’s Kaniyar Kirtan (1861; “The Revels of an Opium Eater”), about opium addiction. His plays chiefly addressed social issues. Barua also wrote Bahire Rongsong Bhitare Kowabhaturi (1861; Fair Outside and Foul Within). Probably the most outstanding among the early modern writers was Lakshminath Bezbarua (1868–1938), who founded a literary monthly, Jonaki (“Moonlight”), in 1889 and was responsible for infusing Assamese letters with 19th-century Romanticism, which had by then begun to fade from Western literature. Later 20th-century writers tried to remain faithful to the ideals expressed in Jonaki. The short story genre flourished in Assamese with notable practitioners such as Mahichandra Bora (1894–1965) and Holiram Deka (1901–63). The year 1940 marked a shift toward psychological narrative, but World War II effectively put an end to literary development in Assam.
When writers resumed after the war, there was a clear break from the past. Also evident among Assamese writers of this period was the influence of Western literature. Perhaps the area of most unexpected Growth was the development of the novel. Noteworthy examples of this form include Bina Barua’s Jivanar Batat (1944; “On the Highway of Life”), Birendra Kumar Bhattacharya’s Ali (1960; “Mother”), and Debendra Nath Acharya’s Anya Yug Anya Purus (1970; “Another Decade Another Generation”). The short story remained a popular genre, although writers began to experiment with an aesthetic that reflected the contemporary world. By the start of the 21st century, other new forms of literature such as the travelogue, biography, and literary criticism had also taken hold in Assam.
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Assam is a state in northeastern India. It is bordered by Bhutan to the north, Arunachal Pradesh to the northeast, Nagaland to the east, Manipur to the southeast, Mizoram to the south, Tripura to the southwest, Meghalaya to the west, and Bangladesh to the south and west. The state has a Population of over 35 million people, making it the 13th most populous state in India. The capital of Assam is Guwahati.
Assam is a linguistically diverse state. The Official Language of Assam is Assamese, which is spoken by about 50% of the population. Other major languages spoken in Assam include Bodo, Deori, Dimasa, Garo, Karbi, Khasi, Kuki, Lalung, Mishing, Rabha, Santali, Tiwa, and Zeme.
Assamese literature is a rich and vibrant tradition that dates back over a thousand years. The earliest known Assamese literary work is the Charyapadas, a collection of devotional songs composed by the 13th-century saint Sankardeva. The Charyapadas are written in a mixture of Assamese and Sanskrit, and they are considered to be the foundation of Assamese literature.
In the 15th century, the Vaishnava saint Madhabdeva composed a number of religious texts in Assamese. Madhabdeva’s writings had a profound influence on Assamese culture and Society, and they are still widely read today.
The 17th century saw the rise of the Assamese epic poem, the Kesari Kanda. The Kesari Kanda is a retelling of The Mahabharata, and it is considered to be one of the greatest works of Assamese literature.
In the 18th century, Assamese literature flourished under the patronage of the Ahom kings. A number of important literary works were composed during this period, including the Buranjis, which are historical chronicles, and the Naamghars, which are collections of devotional songs.
The 19th century saw the beginning of modern Assamese literature. The first Assamese novel, the Jonaki, was published in 1859. The Jonaki is a romantic novel that tells the story of a young couple who are separated by social class.
The 20th century saw the rise of a number of important Assamese writers, including Lakshminath Bezbaruah, Jyotiprasad Agarwala, and Birendra Kumar Bhattacharya. These writers wrote about a variety of topics, including social reform, political independence, and the human condition.
Assamese literature continues to thrive today. A number of important Assamese writers are working in a variety of genres, including poetry, fiction, drama, and non-fiction. Assamese literature is a rich and vibrant tradition that is constantly evolving.
Bodo literature is the literature written in the Bodo language. Bodo is a Sino-Tibetan language spoken by about 3 million people in Assam, India, and Bangladesh. Bodo literature has a long and rich history, dating back to the 13th century. The earliest known Bodo literary work is the Buranji, a historical chronicle.
In the 16th century, the Bodo saint Sankardeva composed a number of religious texts in Bodo. Sankardeva’s writings had a profound influence on Bodo culture and society, and they are still widely read today.
The 17th century saw the rise of the Bodo epic poem, the Hari Katha. The Hari Katha is a retelling of the Ramayana, and it is considered to be one of the greatest works of Bodo literature.
In the 18th century, Bodo literature flourished under the patronage of the Ahom kings. A number of important literary works were composed during this period, including the Buranjis, which are historical chronicles, and the Naamghars, which are collections of devotional songs.
The 19th century saw the beginning of modern Bodo literature. The first Bodo novel, the Jonaki, was published in 1859. The Jonaki is a romantic novel that tells the story of a young couple who are separated by social class.
The 20th century saw the rise of a number of important Bodo writers, including Lakshminath Bezbaruah, Jyotiprasad Agarwala, and Birendra Kumar Bhattacharya. These writers wrote about a variety of topics, including social reform, political independence, and the human condition.
Bodo literature continues to thrive today. A number of important Bodo writers are working in a variety of genres, including poetry, fiction, drama, and non-fiction. Bodo literature is a rich and vibrant tradition that is constantly evolving.
Here are some frequently asked questions and short answers about Assam:
What is Assam?
Assam is a state in north-eastern India. It is the largest state in the region by area and the third most populous. The capital of Assam is Guwahati.What is the population of Assam?
The population of Assam is over 35 million people. The majority of the population is Assamese, followed by Bengalis, Bodos, and Muslims.What is the language spoken in Assam?
The official language of Assam is Assamese. However, there are many other languages spoken in the state, including Bengali, Bodo, Hindi, and English.What is the religion of Assam?
The majority of the population of Assam is Hindu. However, there are also significant Muslim, Christian, and Buddhist minorities.What is the economy of Assam?
The economy of Assam is based on agriculture, tea production, and oil and gas production. The state is also home to a number of industries, including manufacturing, textiles, and tourism.What are some of the tourist attractions in Assam?
Some of the tourist attractions in Assam include the Kaziranga National Park, the Manas National Park, the Dibru-Saikhowa National Park, and the Umananda Temple.What are some of the famous people from Assam?
Some of the famous people from Assam include Bhupen Hazarika, Jyoti Prasad Agarwala, Lakshminath Bezbaruah, and Indira Goswami.What are some of the challenges facing Assam?
Some of the challenges facing Assam include POVERTY, illiteracy, Unemployment, and Corruption. The state is also facing a number of environmental challenges, including deforestation, Soil erosion, and Water Pollution.What are some of the hopes for the future of Assam?
Some of the hopes for the future of Assam include Economic Development, improved Education, and better healthcare. The state is also hoping to attract more Investment and tourism.
Sure. Here are some MCQs without mentioning the topic Languages and Literature of Assam:
Which of the following is not a language spoken in Assam?
(A) Assamese
(B) Bengali
(C) Hindi
(D) EnglishWho is the author of the novel “Sonaram Dewan”?
(A) Lakshminath Bezbaruah
(B) Birinchi Kumar Barua
(C) Jyotiprasad Agarwala
(D) Indira GoswamiWhich of the following is not a festival celebrated in Assam?
(A) Bihu
(B) Durga puja
(C) Holi
(D) ChristmasWhich of the following is the national animal of Assam?
(A) Elephant
(B) Tiger
(C) Rhinoceros
(D) BuffaloWhich of the following is the capital of Assam?
(A) Guwahati
(B) Dibrugarh
(C) Jorhat
(D) SilcharWhich of the following is the highest mountain in Assam?
(A) Saramati
(B) Dehing Patkai
(C) Namdapha
(D) NokrekWhich of the following is the longest river in Assam?
(A) Brahmaputra
(B) Barak
(C) Manas
(D) DihangWhich of the following is the largest lake in Assam?
(A) Deepor Beel
(B) Loktak Lake
(C) Barapani Lake
(D) Umananda LakeWhich of the following is the main crop of Assam?
(A) Rice
(B) Tea
(C) Jute
(D) Oil palmWhich of the following is the main religion of Assam?
(A) Hinduism-2/”>Hinduism
(B) Islam
(C) Christianity
(D) Buddhism-2/”>Buddhism