The Asam Sahitya Sabha on Thursday released a compilation of articles which had been published in Arunadoi, considered to be Assam’s first Assamese language magazine, in a book.
Arunodoi, published by the American Baptist Mission at the then Sibsagar in the middle of the 19th century contained articles on religion, science and general knowledge.
The book, re-edited by Basanta Kumar Goswami, a former Sabha general secretary, was released by the xatradhikar of Auniati Xatra of Majuli Pitambar Deva Goswami.
Three other books published by the Asam Sahitya Sabha were released at the Radhakanta Handique Bhawan adjacent to the Sabha headquarters here along with the book which contained articles published in Arunodoi.
Former Sabha president Nagen Saikia, who was the chief guest of the function, released the book Asam Sahitya Sabhar Itihaas (Volume II – from 1953 to 1976), written by Basanta Kumar Goswami.
Speaker of the state Assembly and Jorhat MLA, Hitendra Nath Goswami released the book ‘Asamiya Bhraman Sahitya Samikhya’, edited by Bhupen Saikia and Chitrajit Saikia.
Poet, writer and a former member of advisory board of Sahitya Akademi Karabi Deka Hazarika released the book ‘Prachin Kamrup Kamotat Prachalita Baishnav Geet Aru Kalita’, a collection of articles by Soumyadeep Datta.
Nagen Saikia, in his address, narrated about the history of Assamese literature and its development till date.
He hoped that the four books released would be useful reference books for the present and future generations would like to know about Assamese literature.
The function was presided by the Sabha president Paramananda Rajbongshi who had earlier delivered the welcome address.
Rajbongshi said about the steps had been proposed by the Sabha to promote Assamese language and other languages spoken by the different indigenous groups of the state.