Bora directs Mamoni Raisom

Of the very few programmes produced under the commissioned category of the Doordarshan, Waesqurni Bora?s Dr Indira Goswami and Her Fictional World bears some significance.

Firstly, this nine-episode docu-feature is the only attempt so far to throw an insight into the life of celebrated author Indira Goswami, fondly known to her thousands of readers and admirers as Mamoni Raisom Goswami.

Secondly, the serial also includes a dramatisation of one of her most widely-acclaimed novel Mamore Dhora Torowal (The Rusted Sword), for which she was honoured with the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award in 1982. This is also the first time that the novel is being filmed.

The novel deals with the plight of the workers of an aqueduct construction site on the river Saai in Rae Barelli district of Uttar Pradesh. The protagonist, Yashowanta, a dedicated young man belonging to Harijan community, is all out to fight against the age-old repression on his people by the so-called upper caste people of the society. The female lead of the storyline, Narayani, depicts the state of women of that community who are helpless victims of the sexual abuse of the officers of the aqueduct construction company.

The exploited people finally protest against the repressive attitude of the company towards them. They find a friend in a trade union leader to lead their stir strategically.

But the indefinite stir leads to days of starving.

Finally, the agitation is declared illegal on the basis of an agreement the company management has with the labour union. The trade union leader turns out to be a company?s broker.

Director Bora scores in the portrayal of the trauma and agony of the Harijans as well as tricks used by the company executives in dealing with labour problem. This six-episode audio-visual production of Mamore Dhora Torowal will be a treat to the viewers.

Mihirjyoti Barua (Yashowanta), Pranjal Saikia (as the company chief), Anup Hazarika (as the trade union leader) and Barnali Puzary (as Narayani), give powerful performances. Other leading artistes like Purnima Saikia, Bina Baruwati, Chandra Narayan Barua, Badal Das, N. Puchi Lal, Rajiv Gogoi, Neena Gogoi Bora, provide sound support.

The three-episode life profile of the writer contains critical comments on her creative genius by Nobel award winner author V.S. Naipaul, scholar Kapila Vatsayan, writer Mahasweta Devi and critic Hiren Gohain.

Goswami, who saw the entire serial during a special screening recently, has praised the effort. ?A few years back, a television serial was made in Hindi on the basis of the same novel, Mamore Dhora Torowal and it was telecast nationwide. But I have liked the Assamese version made by filmmaker Waesqurni Bora more than the earlier one in Hindi.?

Appreciating the three-episode profile on her, Goswami said, ?The three episodes presents a brief sketch of my life, which contains high comments on my creative pursuits by Kapila Vatsayan and Mahasweta Devi. I would like to offer my gratitude to all of them. In this connection I also offer my heartfelt thanks to Guwahati Doordarshan Kendra for commissioning this production.?

The serial?s cinematography is by Dinesh Sharma and Sibanan Barua and edited by Gautam Saikia.

Bora is a pioneer in directing biographical documentaries on living legends in Assam.

Rong Sarmah