Novelist Rita Chowdhury speaks at a programme in Press Club on Tuesday. Picture by UB Photos

May 29: After the success of her latest book Makam (Golden Horse), city-based writer Rita Chowdhury is now busy writing her next novel, which intertwines the river Ganges, her life and philosophy.

Chowdhury said though her busy schedule has affected her writing, yet readers will soon be able to read her latest work Maya Britta. The writer was guest of the month of Guwahati Press Club today and interacted with reporters on different aspects of her life and literature.

Chowdhury, associate professor of political science department at Cotton College, has contributed novels like Deu Langkhoi, Ei Xomoy, Xei Xomoy, Popiya Torar Xadhu, Mohajibonor Adharxila, Jal Padma and Hridoy Nirupay to Assamese literature. She started her literary career with Abirata Jatra, published in 1981 when she was just 21 years old.

“I have been trying to write for marginalised sections which do not have a voice in society,” said the author. She has so far written 19 novels and the latest one, Makam, has caught the imagination of readers, by depicting deprivation of people of Chinese origin living in Assam.

Chowdhury was a leader in the historic Assam Movement and is married to another leader of the movement, Chandramohan Patowary, who later became a leader of Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), which led the state for two terms.

Being the wife of a political leader and at the same time willing to do something for society, Chowdhury had some crucial moments in life. “After marriage, there was uncertainty for 10 years. I was in seclusion, looking for a way to make a bridge between the people and myself. Finally, I decided to use my pen as the answer and started writing,” said Chowdhury.

She has successfully maintained her identity as a writer and not as the wife of a political leader. But today, while replying to questions of reporters, she spoke about the drawbacks of the AGP.

“I have never been a member of the party. But being the wife of a political leader, I have seen the world of power and what it can do to a human being. I have seen its crude side and how people become different when they posses it,” the author said. Chowdhury said lack of responsibility, young age and emotion of AGP leaders are some factors which have led to the party’s decline. “But there are other factors too which should be looked into. There are some forces working against regional political parties. Even the bureaucrats are more loyal to them than the regional parties. If we cannot identify them and wait for a few more years, it will be too late,” she said. Chowdhury said Patowary has been an honest man in his political career but as a leader he has failed to steer the AGP boat towards success.