Doli Talukdar, who contributed to various branches of Assamese
literature, has occupied a distinguished place in the history
of Assamese literature. She wrote a numbers of short stories,
articles, travelogues, children poems, musical features etc.
to her credit. She had also translated many books from other
languages into Assamese. Doli Talukdar published a number of
short stories in different magazine of Assam, besides two
books Modhu Lekha (1963) and Man mati Aru Megh.
Following books translated by her had been published by
National Book Trust of India. They are-Jagari a Bangla
novel of Sitanath Bhaduri, Balargi Mor Kakai of Balaraj
Chanani�s English biography Balarji my Brother,
translated novels Mrityur Pichat,Jakhalar Khopani and a small
short, compilation.The travelogues, comics and children
writings are yet to be published together.
Doli Talukdar was born on 14th November, 1930 in
her maternal uncle�s house at Jorpukhuri, Guwahati.Her father
was Thaneswar Hazarika and mother was Sudhalata
Hazarika.Sudhalata Hazarika was the daughter of Mahendra Lal
Barua, the brother of historical scholar Kanak Lal Barua.Doli
Talukdar was also closely related to eminent literature
Dimbeswar Neog and Dr. Maheswar Neog. As such, she acquired
strong imaginary power, sensitivity and alerthness to know
life and the world inherited from hereditary ability.
Moreover, she could think minutely and learn the technique to
arrabge and analyse story, influenced by the qualities of
famous Barua family. Doli Talukdar began her education in
Saint Mary�s School, Guwahati, and then transferred to Tarini
Vharan Girls High School (Now Higher Secondary) and passed
Matriculation examination in First Division from Calcutta
University, in the year 1947. She attained her B.A. Degree
from Handique Girls� College, in 1951, She got married to a
noted literature, Journalist and dramatist, Phani Talukdar.
She joined in T.C.High School in 1956 as a teacher and
successfully retired on 30th April , 1993. During
her service, she took Masters Degree in Assamese. She passed
B.T. and took E.T. degree from Gauhati University. As a
recognition for long an successful service, Government of
India offered her the National Teachers� Award, in the year
1989.
Doli Talukdar acquired almost all the qualities of
propse literature. She started to warded to write story at the
age of twelve years. She got inspiration for writing from her
father Thaneswae Hazarika who was also a writer. Hazarika
hailed from Disial village on the bank of river Dikhow of
Sibsagar. He was attracted to foreign literature. He
translated two foreign books into Assamese.They were
Dinadukhi from La Miserable of Victor Hoogo and the
life sketch of revolutionary Poet Rajal. She also composed
certain lovely poems too.The association of such a father made
Doli Talukdar a devotee to literature.
Doli Talukdar picked up the source and plot of her
stories from different stages of the society. The sympathy for
the downtrodden, and exploited, love for the poor and faith in
traditional values are special features of her story . She
selected the characters from common people. Naturally, she was
soft hearted and thereby she composed her story centering
round the life of domestic, vegetable and cloth selling women.
She was expert in presenting a trivial incident artistically.
She collected the materials of her story from real life and
gave a �Type�, through her creative ability. The virtue of her
writings appeared in distinct narration. Her language was
simple, soft and freely expressed. She picked up words from
spoken language and foreign words needed for arranging the
plot, but modified and controlled so carefully, so that they
are suited to the written language, following norms of grammar.
Lyrical appeal could be noticed in her prose, for rhythmic
pattern of syntax. The sense of refinement and moderation made
her writing pleasant for the readers. It is seen that her
language had followed the�Baidarbhi Style� and retained the
gravity of writings, In spite of her restrained art of
narration, excessive elaboration sometimes hinder in the
spontaneous flow of thoughts.
Doli Talukdar, although, restored propriety and
liberty of women, still her characters are symbol of sacrifice
and tolerance. She never kept aside the tradition at the cost
of mere mere modernism. Rather, she treated so called
modernism with flattery. She expressed various female
characters in certain stories. She depicted women as noble
mothers in a number of stories. The feelings and emotions,
tastes and likings, hopes and aspirations, weaknesses and
addictions etc. were befittingly arranged in her stories she
kept full faith on power of women. In her writings, the women
characters could face conflicts and revolted against awkward
positions, but never surrendered to such situation when
necessitated , she took them as challenge for succeeding goal�
Doli Talukdar wanted people to lead life based on the Indian
social ideology and spirituality, which had been reflected in
some of her stories. In her story there is a slight tone of
feminism, but they never showed hatred to man. Contrary to
that she analysed sympathetically the psychology of men. She
reminded women about their duties and responsibilities of
house hold affairs and encouraged them to come up, joining
hands with man in cordial manner, she retained that ideals
almost in all stories. Panchali a mind blowing story had been
incorporated in �Madhu Lekha�. In that story Panchali revolted
against the selfish act of the society dominated by man.
Morover, she did not give up ideals of traditional society.
Upendra Nath Sarma, the literary critic viewed Doli
Talukdar�s story Panchali as a successful story that showed
the ability to retain a place in any compilation of post war
literature. The structure of the story has integration and its
characters were not over flown with emotion. The
beginning, middle portion and ending of the story in controlled
by the natural structural process.
Doli Talukdar made her travelogues so lively and
full of narrations . She made her children literature simple,
comrade filled with moral values. She wrote her articles
surrounding the chosen subject and made them thoughtful. She
Kept the same style and fluency in her translated works. Doli
Talukdar, an educationist and writer was equally involved with
social works. She joined the Camp of Integration �held at
Hyderabad as a selected teacher. She attended the conference
of world country Women as a representative from India and
visited Europe and �Africa. She was invited as a resource
person in the workshop organized by the N.C.E.R.T., New Delhi,
where in the trained up the members present with modern art
and technique of writing drama, showing her caliber� Doli
Talukdar was devoted to songs an drama since her student life
she played parts in Stage and Radio drama . She was awarded as
the best actress of All India Radio, during 1948-50,She was a
regular participant in various talks and as an educationist,
literature, social worker and as an artist of cultural field,
inspired by her father. As she declared herself, Asom Keshari
Ambukagiri Rai Choudhury and learned fellow Dr.Surye Kr.
Bhuyan were two torches that enlightened her golden path of
life with their valuable advice and instructions. After death,
friends and well wishers of Doli Talukdar wrote in their
memorial addresses that her husband phani Talukdar extended
necessary guidance to bring into reality of her inborn
qualities. She herself too expressed her indebtedness to him.
In this way heredity, favourable circumstance,
source of inspiration help Doli Talukdar to develop her inborn
qualities. The light of her talent and instinct spread to
several parts of India, As a result, some of her excellent
short stories had been translated into Hindi, Gujrati and
Bengali Languages and esteemed readers of those states get the
opportunity to have taste of her stories Doli Talukdar, the
brilliant lady passed away on 27th Nov, 1996.
