Literature from North East India ( as, উত্তৰ-পূৱ ভাৰতৰ সাহিত্য, mni, Awāng Nongpok Bhāratkī Loinasinlon) refers to literature in the languages of

North East India , native_name_lang = mni , settlement_type = , image_skyline = , image_alt = , image_caption = , motto = , image_map = Northeast india.png , ...

and the body of work by English-language writers from this region. North East India is an under-represented region in many ways. The troubled political climate, the beautiful landscape and the confluence of various ethnic groups perhaps have given rise to a body of writing that is completely different from

Indian English literature Indian English literature (IEL), also referred to as Indian Writing in English (IWE), is the body of work by writers in India who write in the English language but whose native or co-native language could be one of the numerous languages of India. ...

North-East India , native_name_lang = mni , settlement_type = , image_skyline = , image_alt = , image_caption = , motto = , image_map = Northeast india.png , ...

was a colonial construct and continues to be one by virtue of having a historically difficult relationship with the

India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...

n nation state.

Debates surrounding the term North East

There is no single definition of the phrase "literature from North East India", as the diversity of this region defies easy definition. Broadly, this phrase refers mostly to English writing but may also include

Assamese literature Assamese literature ( as, অসমীয়া সাহিত্য, translit=ɔxɔmiya xaɦitjɔ}) is the entire corpus of poetry, novels, short stories, plays, documents and other writings in the Assamese language. It also includes the liter ...

and writings in the

Meitei language Meitei (), also known as Manipuri (, ), is a Tibeto-Burman language of north-eastern India. It is spoken by around 1.8 million people, predominantly in the state of Manipur, but also by smaller communities in the rest of the country and in p ...

, that have long traditions of writing and stand on their own with a glorious legacy. Many writers such as

Harekrishna Deka Harekrishna Deka (born 1943) is one of Assam's contemporary writers whose excellence in multiple genres is well attested by his works as well by the influence he has had on generations of readers and creative practitioners—his assured style an ...

and Temsula Ao have expressed discomfort with the term North-East India and North Eastern writers, respectively. A section also strongly argue that the term is colonial and, hence, an artificial construct. There is nothing called a "north-easterner" and the concept is purely geographical; it tends to homogenise an extremely heterogeneous cluster of people, as there exists no common history and heritage of the people in North-East India; however, the current states of

Arunachal Pradesh Arunachal Pradesh (, ) is a state in Northeastern India. It was formed from the erstwhile North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA) region, and became a state on 20 February 1987. It borders the states of Assam and Nagaland to the south. It shares ...

Mizoram Mizoram () is a state in Northeast India, with Aizawl as its seat of government and capital city. The name of the state is derived from "Mizo", the self-described name of the native inhabitants, and "Ram", which in the Mizo language means "lan ...

and

Meghalaya Meghalaya (, or , meaning "abode of clouds"; from Sanskrit , "cloud" + , "abode") is a state in northeastern India. Meghalaya was formed on 21 January 1972 by carving out two districts from the state of Assam: (a) the United Khasi Hills and J ...

used to be constituent states of former British

Assam Assam (; ) is a state in northeastern India, south of the eastern Himalayas along the Brahmaputra and Barak River valleys. Assam covers an area of . The state is bordered by Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh to the north; Nagaland and Manipur ...

Recent interest

Since 2008, national magazines and journals have taken unprecedented amount of interest in writings from this region. Several national news magazines have featured special issues on writers from the North East. The profusion of literature from North East has also generated immense interest within and outside the nation.

Mitra Phukan Mitra Phukan ( Assamese: মিত্ৰা ফুকন) is an Indian author who writes in English. She is also a translator and columnist. Biography Her published literary works include four children's books, a biography, two novels, "The C ...

, Bhabananda Deka,

Dhruba Hazarika Dhruba Hazarika (born 1956) is an Indian novelist who writes in English language. He is the author of 'A Bowstring Winter', 'Sons of Brahma', 'Luck'. Early life and employment Hazarika was born in Shillong, Meghalaya. After graduating from St ...

, Temsula Ao, Mamang Dai, Arnab Jan Deka,

Jahnavi Barua Jahnavi Barua is an Indian author from Assam. She is the author of 'Next Door', a critically acclaimed collection of short stories set in Assam with insurgency as the background. Barua lives in Bangalore, and obtained her MBBS at Gauhati Medical ...

Anjum Hasan Anjum Hasan is an Indian novelist, short story writer, poet, and editor. She graduated in philosophy from North-Eastern Hill University in Shillong, Meghalaya. She currently lives in Bangalore, Karnataka, India. Career Anjum Hasan's first book ...

, Siddhartha Deb, Robin S Ngangom, Kynpham Sing Nongkymrih, Desmond L Kharmawphlang, Nabina Das, Uddipana Goswami, Nitoo Das, Manash Pratim Borah,

Prodyut Kumar Deka Prodyut Kumar Deka (born 18 April 1978) is an Indian film director, Screenwriter and Author residing in Assam, India. His films include Dhunia Tirutabur, Samiran Barua Ahi Ase, Surjasta, Borosi, Chiyahir Rong, Ji Golpor Ses Nai and The G ...

and Ananya S Guha are some English-language writers from North East. Assamese writers and Indian top literary award Jnanpith winners Dr

Birendra Kumar Bhattacharya Birendra Kumar Bhattacharya (14 October 1924 – 6 August 1997) was an Indian writer. He was one of the pioneers of modern Assamese literature. He was the first ever Assamese writer to receive the Jnanpith Award, which was awarded to him in t ...

, who was also President of India's top literary body Sahitya Academy, and Dr

Indira Goswami Indira Goswami (14 November 1942 – 29 November 2011), known by her pen name Mamoni Raisom Goswami and popularly as Mamoni Baideo, was an Indian writer, poet, professor, scholar and editor. She was the winner of the Sahitya Akademi Award (1983 ...

, alias

Mamoni Raisom Goswami Indira Goswami (14 November 1942 – 29 November 2011), known by her pen name Mamoni Raisom Goswami and popularly as Mamoni Baideo, was an Indian writer, poet, professor, scholar and editor. She was the winner of the Sahitya Akademi Award (1983 ...

, were the most famous literary figures to emerge from this region. 'NELive' selected Dr Mamoni Raisom Goswami together with Homen Borgohain, Nirupama Borgohain, Mitra Phukan and Arnab Jan Deka as the '5 Contemporary Writers from Assam who made it big outside the state' and also illustrated their individual literary credentials.

Literary awards

Meitei literature

Meitei literature , image = Numit Kappa.jpg , imagesize = , caption = The Numit Kappa, a Classical Meitei epic text written during the 1st century, based on ancient Meitei mythology and religion (Sanamahism) , alt ...

(alias Manipuri literature) ** Sahitya Akademi awards *** Sahitya Akademi Award for Meitei *** Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize for Meitei *** Yuva Puraskar for Meitei ** Patriotic Writers' Forum awards *** Pacha Meetei Literary Award *** R Kathing Tangkhul Literary Award *** Dr Saroj Nalini Parratt Literary Award

Critical responses

The younger generation of English-language writers From North-East India include

, Arnab Jan Deka, Siddhartha Sarma, Nitoo Das, Janice Pariat, Nabanita Kanungo, Mona Zote, Ankush Saikia, Bijoya Sawian and Uddipana Goswami. These writers express strong political awareness by addressing issues such as identity and ethnicity; a few hailing from Assam interrogate the violence that has ravaged their home state Assam due to the tussle between the secessionist militant group ULFA and the Indian government in complex ways. Some of them like Arnab Jan Deka delved deep into the spiritual and intellectual heritage along the Brahmaputra valley, and also highlighted its environmental fragility. Discussing the work of the new generation of writers from North East, Preeti Gill says, "Many younger writers continue to grapple with these issues. Having grown up in the shadow of the gun, their desire to analyse the common people’s reaction to insurgency is as strong as ever." Literary journal ''Pratilipi'' adumbrates the issues that concern writers from North East India in its special feature, "It is tragic that the long-running unrest, violence and terrorism in the North-East has remained a mere digression in the mainstream of the Indian nation-state – ironically, even in the mainstream arts that otherwise come across as very charged and political. The poems by Uddipana Goswami and six poets translated by Tarun Bhartiya, along with stories by

and Srutimala Duara serve as a reminder that the "North-East" is not a geographical, political unit, but a place of many languages and cultures.". The internationally acclaimed iconic journal ''Art of Living Guide'' edited by Spain-based novelist, screenwriter and philanthropist Claire Elizabeth Terry, which carries regular columns by several Nobel laureates like Mikhail Gorbachev, Dalai Lama and Camilo Jose Sela, published a special essay of popular British poet and environmentalist Tess Joyce on the aesthetics of philosophical realms and lifestyle on the Banks of Brahmaputra in Assam by highlighting Arnab Jan Deka's book of poetry ''A Stanza of Sunlight on the Banks of Brahmaputra'', which says, "Written during his high school years, Arnab’s poems plunged the reader into further depths – into the midst of the universe itself and the riverine landscapes only served to increase the levels of complexity the narrator saw; we are left to realise that no-one is big enough to hold the universe and so: ''"Yet with no empty space left on the boat/the Universe sat quietly beside the reeds."'' Imbibed with a sense of awe, the narrator’s desires for explanations disappeared – it was the poetry that satisfied him, hence: ''"On the bald head of the dusty earth/Ashwaklanta bestowed a stanza of sunlight."'' A more extensive version of this literary masterpiece on literature from North East India also found a place of pride in the London-based research journal ''Luit to Thames''. In the prestigious Delhi-based journal ''The Book Review'', critic and poet N Kalyani admires Arnab Jan Deka's poetry from the same book, "And in ''These Small Thoughts'' Deka reveals what Umananda is, 'A tiny river island amidst the mighty river Brahmaputra near the prehistoric city of Pragjyotishpur, known by its modern name Guwahati now,' in a way that brings the image so alive: ''The tiny rivulet reflect a myriad of colour/The distant Umananda--a majestic aloof lily pad/The blackish riverbank with flowing wind/The cities dreaming of fleeced nomad/Besides the tidal marina''."

List of writers from North-East India

Ananda Chandra Agarwala Ananda Chandra Agarwala (1874–1940) was a writer, poet, historian, translator and administrative officer from Sonitpur district of Assam. He is known as Bhangoni Kunwor (ভাঙনি কোঁৱৰ) for his translation of several Engli ...

Ananda Chandra Barua Ananda Chandra Barua (1907–1983) was a writer, poet, playwright, translator, journalist and actor from Assam. He is popularly known as Bokulbonor Kobi (বকুলবনৰ কবি) in Assamese literacy society. He was honoured with, most ...

* Ananda Ram Baruah * Ankush Saikia *

Anuradha Sharma Pujari Anuradha Sharma Pujari ( Assamese: অনুৰাধা শৰ্মা পূজাৰী) (born 1964) is an Assamese journalist and author. She is the editor of ''Sadin'' and ''Satsori''. Her contributions to Assamese literature include fict ...

* Arupa Kalita Patangia * Arup Kumar Dutta *

Amulya Barua Amulya Barua ( as, অমূল্য বৰুৱা) was a pioneer of modern Assamese poetry. He was born at Jorhat on 30 June 1922. In 1941, he passed matriculation examination from Jorhat Govt. Boys' H.S and M.P. School with letter marks ...

Atul Chandra Hazarika Atul Chandra Hazarika (1903–1986) was a prominent Assamese poet, dramatist, children's writer and translator. He was bestowed the epithet "Sahitycharjya" by Asam Sahitya Sabha, the premier literary organization of Assam.. Life and literary wo ...

* Banikanta Kakati * Bhabananda Deka *

Bhabendra Nath Saikia Bhabendra Nath Saikia (20 February 1932 – 13 August 2003) was a novelist, short-story writer, Editor and a Film director from Assam, India. Dr. Saikia received his doctorate in physics from the University of London. He began his career as a ...

Birinchi Kumar Barua Birinchi Kumar Barua (16 October 1908 in Puranigudam, Nagaon, Assam, India – 30 March 1964) was a folklorist, scholar, novelist, playwright, historian, linguist, educationist, administrator and eminent 20th century littérateur of Assam, with ...

* Brajanath Sarma * Chandra Kumar Agarwala * Daisy Hasan * Dhrubajyoti Bora *

* Easterine Kire * Dimbeswar Neog *

* Hem Chandra Barua * Hem Chandra Goswami *

Hem Barua Hem Barua (Assamese: হেম বৰুৱা) was a prominent Assamese poet and politician from Assam. Early life Born on 22 April 1915, at Tezpur, Hem Barua obtained his M.A. degree from Calcutta University in 1938 and joined the J.B. Co ...

Hem Barua (Tyagbir) Hem Barua ( as, হেম বৰুৱা; 25 April 1893 – 11 August 1945) was an Indian independence activist, social worker and writer from Sonitpur district of the Indian state of Assam. For his remarkable works to the people of Assam ...

Hiren Gohain Hiren Gohain (born 1939) is a scholar, writer, literary critic, and social scientist from the Indian state of Assam. Academic life Gohain studied in Cotton College, and did his graduation from Presidency College, Calcutta and then moved to ...

Homen Borgohain Homen Borgohain (7 December 1932 – 12 May 2021) was an Assamese author and journalist. He was awarded the 1978 Sahitya Akademi Award in Assamese language for his novel ''Pita Putra''. He was also the President of Assam Sahitya Sabha from 20 ...

* Irom Chanu Sharmila *

Janice Pariat Janice Pariat is an Indian poet and writer. She was born in Assam and grew up in Shillong, Meghalaya.Rao Chaini, Sanjitha (15 October 2012)"A Tale Can Be Told In Many Ways", ''Business World. ''Retrieved 30 August 2013.Staff writer (31 August 2 ...

Jogesh Das Jogesh Das ( as, যোগেশ দাস; 1 April 1927 – 9 September 1999) was an Indian short-story writer and novelist from Assam. He was born in 1927. He won the Sahitya Akademi Award for his book ''Prithivir Oxukh''. He was also associate ...

Jyoti Prasad Agarwala Jyoti Prasad Agarwala (2 July 1903 – 17 January 1951) was a noted Indian playwright, songwriter, poet, writer and film maker from Assam. He was considered as Assamese cultural icon, deeply revered for his creative vision and output and is pop ...

Kaliram Medhi Kaliram Medhi ( as, কালিৰাম মেধি; 18 October 1880 – 24 January 1954) was a prominent linguist, writer and essayist from Assam who wrote in both the Assamese and English languages in the early part of modern Assamese li ...

* Kamalakanta Bhattacharya *

Krishna Kanta Handique Krishna Kanta Handique (20 July 1898 – 7 June 1982) was a Sanskrit scholar, an Indologist and philanthropist from Assam. He was a recipient of the civilian honour of the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan. Biography Krishna Kanta Handique was ...

* Kochery C Shibu

* Laksminath Bezbarua * Maharaj Kumari Binodini Devi * Malsawmi Jacob * Mamang Dai *

* Mithinga Daimary *

* Nalini Bala Devi * Nalini Prava Deka * Navakanta Barua * Nirmal Prabha Bordoloi * Padmanath Gohain Baruah * Parag Kumar Das *

Phani Sarma Phani Sarma (1910–1970) was an Indian theatre actor, playwright, film actor and director. Beginning as a stage actor, he appeared in the first film ever made in Assamese cinema, '' Joymati'', in 1935. Sarma was conferred with the title "Natasu ...

* Raghunath Choudhari *

Rita Chowdhury Rita Chowdhury (born 17 August 1960) is an Indian poet, novelist and Sahitya Akademi Award recipient in the world of Assamese literature. She has been an associate professor in Cotton College, Guwahati, Assam in Political Science Department sin ...

* Rongbong Terang *

Saurabh Kumar Chaliha Saurabh Kumar Chaliha ( as, সৌৰভ কুমাৰ চলিহা; 1930 – 25 June 2011) is the pen name of a famous Assamese short story writer. His real name was Surendra Nath Medhi. His short story collection ''Ghulam'' won the pre ...

* Siddhartha Sarma * Srutimala Duara * Surya Kumar Bhuyan * Tanupriya Kalita

References

External links

Singing in the Dark Times, in ''Tehelka'', by Preeti Gill

Poetry and the Brahmaputra : Flowing Back to Nature, in ''Art of Living Guide'', by Tess Joyce

Political Literature from India's North East, by Manjeet Barua

Poetry by the Banks, in ''The Assam Tribune'', by Arindam Barooah

* ttps://web.archive.org/web/20160131145548/http://www.nelive.in/assam/entertainment/top-5-contemporary-writers-assam Top 5 Contemporary Writers from Assam, in ''NELive'', by Arnab Ghosh
New generation of storytellers, by Anwesha Roy Choudhury

North-East India on Facebook

Arjun Choudhuri's Blog

ebooks of North-East India

Manash Pratim Borah's Blog
{{DEFAULTSORT:Literature From North East India Northeast India Indian literature Writers from Northeast India