A candid interaction with Sahitya Pension awardee Samarbijoy Chakraborty

August 14: It is a matter of great pride that the eminent literary figure Mr Samarbijoy Chakraborty has been nominated by the Government of Assam for the “Sahitya Pension” on the eve of the Independence Day. In this candid interview with Dr. Himabrata Das, Mr. Chakraborty spoke about his fascinating literary journey

Initial reaction: It was unexpected to say the least.I always wondered the rationality behind applying electronically. But surprisingly I got nominated out of so many applicants.It felt really good.

Literary journey: I was born in a literary enriched family.My father knew the “Mehgnadbodkabyo” by heart. My mother had a keen interest in literature apart from being an accomplished singer herself. Two of my poems got published in the reputed English journal PEN. Thanks to Mr Jayanta Mahapatra, my first poem was featured in the colour supplement of The Telegraph. Two of my short stories “Unfinished Tale” and “Unsung Hero” were received with warmth.”Unsung Hero” was launched at the behest of the Assam Book Depot by the Jnanpith Award-winning Mamoni Raisom Goswami.

I have also been a lover of Bengali literature from a young age and have composed both prose and poetry in the language. My Bengali novels include “Naam Nei” and “Medhabi Bhalobasha“.  In the English language,the works that have brought me recognition include “If the government favours separatists” and “My Tour in England” where I attempted to uncover the traits of the Britishers that enabled them to rule the world.

Favourite writers: English-O.Henry and Ernest Hemingway. Rabindranath Tagore (in all languages) (The English translation of Gitanjali; his speech “Religion of Man” that he delivered at Cambridge University and “Nationalism” all of which moved me deeply). Tolstoy,Gorky and Chekhov are the international writers I like.

In Bengali literature, I admire Banaful, Tarashankar, Bibhuti Bhushan. I believe we lack visionaries like Annadashankar in Bengali literature. But out of the new generation, I really like Amlan Dutta.

Future projects: I was deeply influenced by Mamoni Raisom Goswami when she citing the example of Rabindranath’s experiments with Santiniketan,his travels abroad and his rich discourses with Gandhiji and Netaji was more of a reformist rather than being confined to the gamut of literature. I am very fond of both art and singing and as part of the organisation KIRTAN ASHROY, we look to propagate the virtues ,not of religion, but of social cohesion.

**Dr. Himabrata Das, Registrar, Department of Psychiatry, Tezpur Medical College & Hospital (TMCH). Apart from this, he is a vivid lover of sports, an eloquent commentator and a columnist.