GUWAHATI, Nov 10 � A discussion on �Reflection of Spirit of National Integration in Assamese Literature� was held at the conference hall of the 16th North East Book Fair under the auspices of the Pragjyotish Publication Trust of Guwahati on Monday.
The function was presided over by Sattradhikar Bhadra Krishna Goswami.
Initiating the discussion, the chief editor of the weekly, Pragjyotish, DN Chakravartty analysed the origin and growth of the Assamese community and dwelt on the process of assimilation that took place over the last 6000 years.
Chakravartty said that the Assamese people were rightly proud of the majesty of nature and variety of vegetation and wildlife in their State. �The bewildering ethnic and natural diversity in the State is larger than those to be found in any part of the world of comparable geographical size. No part of the world has so many variety of plants and orchids, insects and micro lives, animals, birds, fish and paddy,� he added.
Chakravartty said that the Kaivartta community might be described as the founder of the Assamese language while the different communities like the Bodos, Chutias, Keots and Kalitas, Ahoms, Morans and Muttocks, Koch Rajbongshis, Karbis, Tiwas and Assamese Muslims contributed to the richness of the Assamese language and culture according to their own genius.
�Rajanikanta Bardoloi was the pioneer in describing the lives and struggles and achievements of the Mising people while the succeeding generations of Assamese poets, writers and historians from Lakshminath Bezbaroa down to Dr Bhabendranath Saikia including the great musical maestros Dr Bhupen Hazarika and Jyotiprasad Agarwala continued to enrich the Assamese language and literature in the true spirit,� he added.
Pandit Umakanta Sarma, Bimal Kumar Hazarika, Dr Niranjan Kalita and Sachiprabha Das spoke on the richness of Assamese culture and the message of unity reflected in Assamese literature.
