A still from the documentary Kopilir Polos Suchendra Nath Bhuyan

It was a rare occasion when many an unsung hero of the freedom movement gathered under one umbrella to pay homage to one of their close comrades, Suchendra Nath Bhuyan.

A 52-minute documentary on Bhuyan, a freedom fighter and social activist, was screened in the city on the occasion. The documentary, titled Kopilir Polos Suchendra Nath Bhuyan, was scripted and directed by Dip Bhuyan.

The film is a brilliant cinematic tribute to Bhuyan, depicting the struggle during his youth and his transformation into one of the most successful lawyers and political thinkers of Assam.

Bhuyan also has the distinction of becoming the advocate general of the state twice.

The documentary portrays Bhuyan as a man of superior merit, who has always overcome the odds, financial or ideological, by the sheer force of determination and hard work.

The film could work as a guiding force for the new generation, and help the youth of today to develop a mindset to look beyond the material, felt critic Chandan Sarma.

Bhuyan has worked relentlessly for the welfare of the less privileged. The 82-year-old social activist had been a generous donor for the growth and development of a number of social organisations and institutions in Nagaon district and in Guwahati, Sharma added.

The documentary concludes with the strains of Purano Sei Diner Kotha, performed in Assamese by singers Dilip Sarma and Sudakshina Sarma, as the camera captures Bhuyan walking slowly down the bank of the Kopili. This scene encapsulates the essence of the title Kopilir Polos Suchendra Nath Bhuyan (Suchendra Nath Bhuyan, the fertile silt of the river Kopili).

 

On a binge

It seems like the “malling” culture has really picked up among denizens of the city. When Citi Mart — the latest edition of the swankiest mall in the city — was inaugurated recently, denizens thronged there.

The mall is a one-stop destination where one can find all daily requirements under a single roof.

Shoppers at Citi Mart. Picture by Eastern Projections

The manager of Citi Mart said the mall also boasts of eateries, jewellery shops, travel agencies, departmental stores, fitness centres, hotels, furniture houses and stationary goods. He added, “The best thing is that buyers will enjoy shopping in the mall as everything out here is affordable for the common man.”

The mall has come up at the right time as the festive season is knocking on the door. This is the time when people love to buy new and beautiful clothes, utensils and decorative items, to name a few.

“I must say this is a good effort. The mall has everything under a single roof. All displayed items are not only of high quality but also affordable,” said Vinita Jain, a housewife. “Buyers, especially housewives, will have a good time shopping for their daily requirements in the mall.”

Already a brand name, the mall has branches in Calcutta, Bhubaneshwar and other major cities in eastern Indian.

 

Story session

The short story has always been the preferred medium of authors who want to express their view of life in a few measured words. For Temsula Ao, too, it was the perfect tool to capture a slice of Naga life, sans the trappings.

K.C. Baral speaks as author Temsula Ao (second from left) looks on during the discussion on her book in the city last week

In These Hills Called Home, a recently-released collection of short stories, Temsula has sketched the lives of the Nagas. On Saturday, book lovers of the city had a candid interaction with the author at the Williamson Magor auditorium, Vivekananda Kendra.

The occasion was a discussion on the book, organised by Anwesha, a publishing house, and the Indian Council for Historical Research, Northeast Regional Centre.

The book, published by Zubaan and Penguin, has won accolades from critics as an honest depiction of the life of the Nagas, who are caught up in the age-old conflict between the state and the rebels.

Reading from her work, Ao painted a poignant picture of the pain, trials and tribulations of the people of the state, plagued by myriad problems.

“As a Naga, I have observed the people of the land and their experiences quite closely. My experience is a patchwork of sad stories of the people whose lives have been shattered because of the ongoing clashes that have ravaged the state’s political life,” Ao said. “Thus my book is all about these poignant pictures of the people of Nagaland.”

One of her stories, The Last Song, will be included in a German anthology, which will hit the shelves during the Frankfurt Book Fair later this year.

K.C. Baral, director of the Central Institute of English and Foreign Languages presided over the discussion, while Esther Syiem, K.S. Nongkynrih and Utpala Sewa put forth their views during the interaction.