Nirupama Borgohain

(1932 - )

An acclaimed writer based in Assam, Nirupama Borgohain is a prominent figure in Assamese

literary circle. Borgohain began publishing short stories under the pseudonym Neelima Devi in
the journal Ramdhenu. Her first novel Sei Nadi Niravadhi (The River Keeps Flowing) was
published in 1963. This intertwined the story of a woman with the fate of a river, while Ejan
Budha Manuh (An Old Man, 1966) centred on the relationship between a father and son. Her
feminist novels Dinor Pisot Dinor (1968), Anya Jivan (1986) and Champavati were noted for
their sympathetic portrayals of women facing up to oppressive social mores and the patriarchy.
Borgohain's Abhiyatri (1995) was a biographical novel of the life of an Assamese freedom
fighter, feminist and social activist, Chandraprava Saikiani. This won her the Sahitya Akademi
literary award the following year, and is considered one of her finest novels

Indira Goswami

(1942 - 2011)

Born in pre-Independence era Assam, Indira Goswami turned out to be one of the most
talented and versatile writers of the state. She was popularly known as Dr. Mamoni Raisom
Goswami. Owing to her original style and compassion for humanity, her novels and literary
work have found favour with millions. Her most famous works, ‘The Moth Eaten Howdah of a
Tusker’, ‘Pages Stained with Blood’ and ‘The Man from Chinnamasta’ based on animal sacrifice
ritual in Kamakhya temple in Assam, won accolades from literary world all over and she was
awarded the coveted International Tulsi Award and Sahitya Akademi Award. She was also
honored with Jnanpith award in 2001. Noted film director Jahnu Barua made a film on her life.

Mitra Phukan
(1953 - )

Mitra Phukan is among the top Indian writers from Assam who write in English. She is one of
the most prominent literary voices in English from North-East India. She shot to fame with the
novel ‘The Collector's Wife’ (2005). Based on the Assam agitation which took place in the 1970s
and 1980s, the novel brought her much critical acclaim. The Collector's Wife was the one of the
first generation novels in English written by an Assamese writer to be published by an
international house. Another novel, ‘A Monsoon of Music’- based on 4 musicians also received
rave reviews. She has also written a number of books for children so far. The UNICEF-CBT award
for children's writing was given to her for the book ‘Mamoni's Adventure’.
Arnab Jan Deka

(1967 - )

A writer with multifaceted talent and a prominent figure in Assam’s literary circle, Arnab Jan
Deka has received considerable accolades from his readers. He has already authored 130
nonfiction and fiction books. He rose to fame with publication of ‘A Stanza of Sunlight on the
Banks of Brahmaputra’ in 2009. This Indo-British poetry book co-authored with novelist Tess
Joyce brought him success and worldwide fame. However, he made headlines with publication
of ‘Ephanki Rhode’ his first book in 1983, when he was still a school student. Arnab also
achieved success with publication of his short stories which have been translated into various
languages. The popular short story collections written by him are ‘Prem Asambhav’ and ‘Mexico
Shohore Ekjon Premika Abong Koyekta Golpo’. His novels ‘Bhaba Ananda Sambad’ and
‘Childhood Dreams’ brought him considerable success and awards. For his enormous
contribution to literature and culture of Assam, Arnab Jan Deka has been given many awards
including the Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray Memorial Award.