Surya Singh Besra has come a long way since the day his elder brother asked him to leave the family home. ?Nobody in my family liked my reforming ways and my elder brother had strictly mentioned that he does not want a leader at home. They wanted me to get married and be normal. I was determined to study further and lead a meaningful life.? Besra promised himself that he would not be back unless he achieved his goals.

In 1990, he finally won the Assembly elections from Ghatsila constituency. ?There were jubilations all around, but I had just one thing in my mind ? to go back home. I had achieved what I wanted to. So I left it all and rushed home immediately.?

Besra, president of Jharkhand People?s Party and Founder of All-Jharkhand Students Union (Ajsu), is a man of many parts. A mass-leader, politician and an eloquent writer, Besra has donned each hat with elan. Born and brought up in a small village in Dumuria block, Besra childhood was a rather difficult one. ?My father was a small-time government employee with a big family to support. None of us could ever imagine a life of comfort,? says Besra.

Having done his Masters in Santhali, Besra was always fascinated by great writers and poets. ?Kazi Nazrul Islam and Rabindranath Tagore are my favourites. Their works inspired me to take on writing,? says Surya.

Surya was determined to make it big in life and his background could not stop him from achieving whatever he wanted to. ?I have been a fighter and a writer. Though politics was never in my genes, today it has become my lifeline.?

Writing, for Surya, happened purely by chance. ?I am an avid reader and was actively involved in social activities right from my college days in Ghatsila. Whenever I was asked to make a speech at a public gathering, I ended up rhyming my sentences. I guess that was the beginning of a passion,? he says. So the writing skill is inborn? ?Well, you can say that. I don?t know what poetry is or what a poet should be like. All that I have learnt has been while speaking,? confesses the politician.

The literary journey began in college days. ?While I was doing my Masters, I had to submit a thesis on creative writing for 100 marks. Instead of working on someone else?s work, I decide to write poetry in Santhali on my own. To my surprise, it was well accepted by the tribal and regional language department of Ranchi University.?

In 2003, Surya released Besra Binti, an audio cassette of his compositions. Eminent Santhali singer Rani Mardi rendered her soulful voice to the compositions. It was the first Santhali cassette to be released by a renowned company like T-series. ?All my poetry on the tape was based on the tunes of Kabi Amrit Vani. T-series liked this idea and decided to release a cassette. That was a great honour for me,? says Besra.

Besra then decided to write his first novel Janam Disom Jharkhand, which was released at Jamshedpur Book Fair this year. ?The response I got after the release of the book encouraged me tremendously. In short, I was accepted as a serious writer,? states Besra.

Surya?s next release was a Santhali translation of Tagore?s Gitanjali. ?I spotted Gitanjali at this year?s book fair and was highly impressed by it. I thought of translating it in our regional language so that more people can read the immortal works of Tagore,? explains Besra.

With a packed political schedule, finding time to write is a tough ask. ?I am very busy with my political commitments, but writing is my passion and I make time for it. I generally write while travelling or at late nights because that is the only time I have for myself,? says Besra.

Drop Satyajit Ray?s name in the middle of the conversation and you can see the awe on Surya?s face He is smitten by the award winning film Pather Panchali and has dreams of writing the script of this great work for a Santhali film someday. Ask him about creativity, and Surya says: ?Art is eternal and makes a man immortal as his works stays on. I want my work to be my identity even after I am gone from this world.?

In Surya?s opinion, people have started taking Santhali seriously after it was included in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution in December 2003. ?Today, the language has its deserved status. In my opinion, more people should come forward and write in this language,? says the political leader.

A busy politician and a writer, family comes first for Surya. He has wants to see his three children settled in life. Politics is not a bane for his kids? ?Why should it be? If my son wants, he can join me but after completing his higher studies. My dream is to send him abroad for higher studies. There is a crying need for young dynamic politicians and studies should be his first priority.?

As about writing, their are people in the family to carry the flame forward. ?My elder daughter is too fond of writing and I am happy that at least one has taken on my passion,? smiles Besra, who has stood by th he principle ?education with character, politics with ideology?.

Nilanjana Ghosh Choudhury