Any great warrior is also a scholar and a poet and an artist, he may or may not write poems or paint a single picture. His book Abegor Kuwali Phali might confuse one that he has no passion but passion is his forte in his lifelong celebration of humanism in writing on Namghar of Assam. Once he made it clear that he upholds humanism over the traditional religious concept. This man of original thinking is Mayur Bora, a versatile writer of Assam. Originality is the essence of true scholarship. It is the soul of the true scholar. In this sense, Mayur Bora can be called a true scholar.
Born in Nagaon and brought up in Guwahati, Bora is a well-known non-fiction writer and critic with the excellent gift of the gab that has the flavour like that of the English Edmund Burke both in writings and speeches.
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Bora writes in the Assamese language though he has books in English and he showed expertise in translating the short stories of Dilip Bora in English titled All Those Yearnings. Parental guidance was the real catalytic agent for his growth as a scholar and writer.
His first piece appeared in the children’s magazine ‘Xofura’ edited by Dr. Bhabendra Nath Saikia. He also took keen interest in the great scholar Anandaram Baruah since his childhood days which was a little unusual.
At that time he was a student of Class VI in Cotton Collegiate School. Since that time he used to write in Asom Bani and Prohori. He took interest in the debate on Occidental culture, Casteism and he was loudly protesting against the unreasonable criticism of Bhupen Hazarika when he made a TV serial for DD National titled Lohit Kinare.
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Born on June 10, 1970, in Nagaon, a seat of Vaishnavite learning, to Bharat Chandra Bora and Banalata Bora, he received his primary education from Sacred Heart School, Guwahati. He subsequently enrolled in the Nizarapar Primary School for personal reasons. He then received his secondary education from Cotton Collegiate Govt H.S. School Guwahati and later was enrolled in Cotton College (now Cotton University). He later completed his degree in History and Philosophy from Delhi University.
He is one of the versatile writers on multidisciplinary issues related to society and people. As a columnist, he is very popular all over Assam and his eloquence mesmerizes people of all classes and ages. He has carved out a niche for him by giving his prompt and straightforward opinion either in webinar or newspaper articles and he has the boldness of a true intellectual in giving his free opinion even on controversial issues.
A man so amiable in real life has a Carlylean flair in his writing in hitting the target. Even on social media, he is very active in providing valued information and forming opinions on issues related to Assamese and Indian society. He hardly compromises in his views. In fact, with the mingling of Orwellian satire and Carlylean prophetic tone he dishes out his ideas so profoundly visionary and informative revealing a keen sensibility to correct facts.
He is a voracious reader who has in his fingertips the names of books and persons with which he wins over the audience and drives well his own thoughts without mincing a single point. Earlier he was a regular writer of Assam Tribune in English but he honoured the advice given by Homen Borgohain and others to write more in Assamese. His books in Assamese got tremendous response from the readers
Anubhabar Pratidhwani, Pothobhrosto Hoisey Neki Sankar Sangha, All Those Yearnings, Protyashar Protilipi, Brahmonyobador Koliwa Dawar aru Axom, Abegor Kuwali Phali, Marxei Bojaley Neki Communismor Mrityughonta, Chetonar Spondon, Jatived Protha Aru Sankaradeva, Chintar Bhognanxo, Hindu Dharmat Iswar Aru Nastikota, Bhabonar Swaralipi, Random Reflections, Axomiya Swabhimanor Ruprekha, Sirodin Axomiya, Axomiyatwar Jyoti all which show his great flair for writing non-fiction.
They reflect his scholarship and fidelity to facts that he collected for his books in which he, again and again, focused on the glorious history of Assam as a wonderful state which is plagued now by so many problems. His systematic thinking, collection of materials and minute analysis of the difficult issues made him a popular speaker and successful writer.
Asomiya Swabhimanor Ruprekha is one such great example which he wrote to reignite the genuine sense of pride in knowing the glorious past of the Assam and projecting his vision of a glorious future. It was a tryst with destiny that he joined NABARD and did not join Guwahati Doordarshan although he stood first in the Transmission Executive exam and posted in Haflong All India Radio.
He was honoured with Asom Sahitya Sabha’s Karmabir Chandranath Sharma Award, Dr. Moidul Islam Bora Memorial Award for his scholarly thoughts and for inculcating positive values among the youth of Assam. And it is hoped that in the future more laurels will come his way although he never waits for rewards nor is he a person to compromise with any for getting awards. His readers and audience are his best rewards for him. To conclude, Bora is a true scholar with all moral values that many writers are lacking in this troubled times of ours.
Ratan Bhattacharjee teaches English at Dum Dum Motijheel College, Kolkata. He can be reached at [email protected]