Page 35 - The Indian EYE 031221

Art & culture MARCH 12, 2021 | The Indian Eye 35

Q&a with PadmaPani BOra

“assam is a delightful blend of many cultures,

heritage, faiths and beliefs”

riched heritage sites, Vaishnavite est riverine island in the world, is not impossible. It was my second
culture, spectacular wildlife and the centre of the 500 years old book and I made my mind that I
living traditions. living heritage of Sattriya cul- need to finish the project before
What was your inspiration for ture. The state has been home to I get my transfer from Guwaha-
writing on the heritage of Assam? a high concentration of wildlife ti. I used to take out time almost
The state of Assam is a de- from ancient times with wild life 3 to 4 days a week after dinner,
lightful blend of culture, her- reserves like Kaziranga National sitting late in night, though in the
itage, faiths and beliefs of the Park and Manas National Park. process I developed high blood
numerous ethnic tribes and sub- Usually for an outsider, As- pressure. I utilised weekends
tribes residing in this region. The sam is restricted only to Ka- for field visits and interactions.
heritage of Assam is mixture of makhya temple and Kaziranga It took my around 8 months to
PADMAPANI BORA both nature and culture which National Park. However, the complete the manuscript.
is an Indian Revenue Service (IRS) characterises the true essence of state is enriched with so much How was your personal journey
from Assam. Bora has written a cof- the state. The temples and plac- of incredible heritage sites which from Assam to JNU to IRS?
fee-table book on the heritage of As-
sam called, Discovering the Heritage es of worships are some of the are lesser known to the outside It is an interesting and mes-
of Assam. A combination of nature, chief repositories of Assamese world. To discover Assam, one merising journey. I was born in
heritage. These include Kam- needs to discover its heritage in Jorhat, Assam in 1983 in a lower
culture and traditions which sym- khaya, Navagraha, Umananda, true sense. I also felt that there middle-class family. I attended
bolizes the true essence of the state, Mahavairav, Hayagriva Madha- is no any significant literature in my schooling at Jorhat till class
the book was recently released by va, Poe-Mecca and so on. Each a single volume which can give a 10th in vernacular medium. I
Dr Jitendra Singh, the Union minister of these sites has its own charm, glimpse of such rich heritage of joined Cotton College, Guwaha-
for North-Eastern Region.
story and greatness. Neo-Vaish- the state benefiting readers, tour- ti in 1999 and completed my 12th
In an interview with Jasleen navism popularised by great ists and person having interest. in 2001 and Graduation in 2004

Singh for The Indian EYE News- saint Srimanta Shankardeva How did you take out time in Political Science. In 2004,
weekly, the IRS officer spoke in and venerated institutions like from your busy schedule as an I joined Masters Programme
length about the book, which is a Namghars and Satras constitute IRS officer to write the book? in JNU in the Centre Political
window to the largest state of the the prime component of As- Where there is will, there is way. Studies, School of Social Scienc-
North-East, and his own personal samese heritage. Majuli, the larg- Though it appears difficult, it is es. Completed my MA in 2006
journey. Excerpts: and MPhil in 2008 from School
What is your book all about? of International Studies. In 2009,
It is a coffee-table book aim- I got selected into Indian Reve-
ing at giving a glimpse of cul- nue Service. Throughout my life
tural, natural and architectural as student, I studied in Govern-
heritage of Assam. The book ment run institutions with min-
is divided into five broad chap- imum expenses. I strongly be-
ters: Ancient period heritage lieve what little I could achieve,
like Kamakhya temple -- an im- is because of the hard work and
portant pilgrimage destination; support of my parents, public in-
the Surya Pahar --a significant stitutional support system, best
archaeological site; Medieval wishes of well-wishers and above
period heritage like monuments all, blessings from almighty.
belonging to Ahom kingdom; What’s your next project?
Modern period heritage like the The North-East is a paradise
North Brook gate; natural her- worth exploring and discover-
itage like Kaziranga and living ing. I have some plans in mind
heritage like Sattriya culture of to exhibit such natural, cultur-
Majuli. In total, 60 topics have al, ethnic beauties of the region
been covered in the book and through writing. Perhaps, my
photographic presentations with next project would be on ethnic
simple content on each topic beauties, food habits, handloom
have been prepared. The jour- and handicraft of the region. En-
ney of “Discovering the Heritage couraging and skilling youth en-
of Assam” is an experience of Published by Penguin, trepreneurship in Assam is also
the Assamese way of life; its en- the book has a foreword written by Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan. on my mind.

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