Litterateur Pramod Bhattacharyya speaks at the programme on Sunday. Picture by UB Photos

July 29: It was an afternoon when writers in the city released books, recited poetry and read out short stories keeping alive a tradition started by the Guwahati Alochana Chakra (GAC) more than half a century ago.

“GAC is a city-based literary body formed in 1955, to provide a platform for writers to discuss literature. Former president of Asam Sahitya Sabha, Atul Chandra Barua, was the founder secretary of GAC and he was followed by Prafulla Datta Goswami, Kalinath Sarma and Pramod Chandra Bhattacharyya,” GAC secretary Umesh Sarma said.

Today was the 752nd sitting of the orgnisation and the next will be held on August 19 at the residence of poet Abharani Chakraborty in Uzan Bazar.

After the release of three books — Okonir Rongsongia Xadhu aru Sikmik Kobita, Bisitra Bidekhor Bisitra Xamaj and Udyan Xaxyar Kisu Kothare — written by Kanon Khaound, poets recited their own collection. The meet was presided over by GAC’s current president Pramod Chandra Bhattacharyya.

The themes of their poems were different — from human behaviour to the role of a mother in the upbringing of children, the uncertainty around, to the death of poet Hiren Bhattacharjya.

The recitation session commenced by reciting a poem, Aadim (ancient), by Kokheswar Bora.

Through his poem, Bora spoke about the deterioration of human behaviour and how people, sometimes, took shelter under the shroud of cruelty and inhumanity.

Bora was followed by Kabita Devi, who recited a poem recalling Hiruda, who passed away earlier this month.

“Ki naam di matim tomak Hiruda? Premor kobi ? Matir kobi ne manuhor kobi ?” (How should we address you, Hiruda? A poet love poet, a poet of the earth or the people?)

Mahendra Nath Talukdar also recalled Hiruda through a short poem.

He recited, “Hiruda, tumi khoj kahisila oliye goliye, gaonye bhunye, Brahmaputrar duyu pare” (Hiruda you had walked in the lanes, villages and on both sides of the Brahmaputra).

The programme was not just a platform of literary discussion, but also a place to disseminate news that concerned the organisation.

Today, around 20 people recited poems or read out short stories written by them.

The president said, “Earlier, the activities of GAC were only confined to discussions. However, it’s good to see that books are also released in our sessions,” he said.

Chakraborty was the one who, through her poems, emphasised the role of mothers in changing society.

In her poem Bixringkholota (Chaos), she said, “The new generation is looking up to mothers. Being confused with the chaos around, the poet questions whether the changes of time are responsible for it.”