In Assamese literature, Hiranyamoyi Devi is an illustrious writer known for her remarkable novels. One who is intimate with her can easily notice her desire for knowledge, education of women and her unbounded hospitability.

She was born on 15^th November, 1927 in the historically famous town Tezpur. Her father was Kumudeswar Borthakur, who is created as the father of Assamese detective fiction. Upon her the influence of her father was profound, as she, along with her brothers and sisters were brought up in a deeply cherished cultural ambience. Due to her father�s job was constantly on the move and hence she had to take her formal education in various institutions. She started writing poetry when she was a student in Nagaon Mission School and brought out a hand written Magazine

After her stint at Nagaon Mission, she was admitted at Panbazar High school. She remembers vividly one incident. Some of her classmate challenged her to compose a poem on the spot on the occasion of the farewell given to one fellow student. A few lines of the poem are-

Look, look, everything is melancholic here today

Dismal and gloomy like cloud in a rainy season

The poem was liked by her classmates and it was hung on the wall. Everyone showered praise on her after reading the poem. That incident actually bolstered her spirit and confidence.

She spent a few years at Barpeta with her parents when her father worked as an assistant school teacher. During the time of "Janmastomi" the women used to sing devotional songs of Krishna all day and all night. But it was often hampered by the unruly noises of children. This inspired Hiranyamoyi�s mother and she asked Hiranyamoyito write a play on the childhood activities of Lord Krishna. Encouraged by her mother, she wrote a play titled �Nonich� which was enacted by the children. It was profusely praised by everyone and was staged several times.

When she was still in school, she tied her nuptial knot with Mr. Bipin Phukan, son of late Guluk Phukan of Jorhat. As was the custom she got the opportunity to travel across Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. The magnificent natural beauty of the hills enchanted her mind and inspired her to write many stories, poems, songs and novels. Two of her remarkable novels �Jivan- Sangram� and �Jugor Jatri� were written during that fruitful period.

During that period she also enrolled herself in Hindi Language Learning Programmed and in 1954 secured first class third position in Bisharod Examination. She was happy to acquaint herself with the rich Hindi Literature.

Though she wrote prolifically she was not able to publish her writing owing to her economic dependence. Later, many collections were published by the famous publisher Bichitra Narayan Dutta Baruah. Hiranyamoyi Devi is not only a remarkable writer; she is also the proud mother of four successful daughters who are successful in various fields. Her first sibling Bandita Phukan is one of the renowned Children and Fantasy writers in Assamese literature. She now lives in Nagaon with her husband and is actively involved in various socio-cultural activities.

Ms. Hiranyamoyi Devi is known not only as a writer, but she is also known as a good singer, lyricist and composer. This was mainly due to the profound influence of her father on her.

In 1955 her first literary creation �Nonichor� was published which explored the charismatic childhood of Lord Sri Krishna and his emotional relationship with mother Yashoda. Use of colloquial language had made the play interesting but the writer did not forget to imbibe theological morality into the text. After prohibiting Indra Puja, Krishna said, �If we worship thousand Gods for our selfish interests, then how can we attain the External?" This kind of discourse is plenty in the text. Professor Hemanta Sharma also commented that �Nonicher� is a good example of ideal children literature.

�Akonir Geet� was her secocd published work which contains many children�s songs along with some remarkable musicals �Suchas Janani Janmabhumi�,�Bosontor Rup�,�Nodir geet�.

In 1956 she published her first novel �Jivan Sangram�. She was perhaps one of the few women writers who endeavoured to pen novels. This realist novel explores the plight of women in independent India against patriarchal set up and tries to send strong message regarding their exploitation. She tried to establish the truth that women are also human beings and they should be equally given space in the society. Hemanta Kumar Sharma succinctly comments, �Emergence of Hiranyamoyi Devi is a significant event in Assamese literature as the numbers of women novelists are very few. Her novel jivan Sangram is an important achievement�.

The plot of the novel revolve around widow Lakshmi Prova and her children Amar, Ruli and Beli Beli is married to a well-to-do family but she is constantly exploited and humiliated there Amar, a freedom fighter in the Indian struggle for independence is an active social worker who met Urmila during the great earthquake in Assam in 1950. They are romantically drawn to each other but Amar does not express his feeling for her and instead tries his best to get Urmila married to a rich man. Amar�s mother expires and Beli returns to her mother�s home. Beli confirms that she is not going back to her husband as her husband is demonic, amoral and ruthless. But later, Nabin, Beli�s husband realizes his misdeeds and pleads Beli to forgive him. She goes back with Nabin making Amar forlorn. He dedicates himself to social work which affects his health. Amar is later diagnosed with an incurable disease. At this juncture, Urmila also comes back home after being betrayed by her unscrupulous husband. There was a possibility of re-union between the two estranged lovers. But nothing happened and in the end both die �Jivan Sangram� received warm criticism after its publication. The newspaper Uruli praised the social message inherent in the text. The paper commented,� In order to become truly human, one must fight against darkness. Man is not born to succumb to sins. Women are also human beings. Though the novel is very idealistic in its attitude, the novel is not turned into a boring document. The story is gripping in its essence Beli and Amar; both are very powerful characters in the novel. Their struggles are deep and idiomatic and evoke deep sympathy from the readers." Asom Bani was also full of praise," the author�s message is socio- political and touches the heart of the readers with its tragic ending. The rebellion of Beli and her triumph regarding the transformation of her husband is closely idealistic." In 1958, her short story collection �Niyoror Topal� was published. The collection contains 17 short stories which explore various gamut of life simple and lucid language. The plot is not so complex and the theme is also simple in range. It showcases the author�s idealistic philosophy. �Dufaalor Dupithi� poignantly shows how parents become willful enemies of children. In the story the daughter is deliberately married to a worthless vagabond. In another story titled �Manuh Holiram� saves his arch rival Jaduram when he falls into a river which he falls into a river which clearly reveals the profound humanity hidden beneath cruel demeanor.

�Jugar Jatri�, another novel published in 1960, revolves around protagonist Swapnali�s stuggle, the conflict between millionaire Bilashi Chaliha and poor writer Suroth. Swapnali is like a bridge in the story. The novel highlights on the urban- rural divide, how the urban space has a centre of attraction as well as entrapment for the rural people. The writer is ideologically drawn towards the serenity in the village life. But the novel was widely popular among the young readers.

"Asom Bani" comments critically on the novel, "patriotism and social dedication are dominant themes in the novel like the previous one. Swapnali�s sacrifice, her traumatic encounter and guilt are poignantly depicted in the novel. In the same line, characters like Monbahadur, Jetuki, Indumoti etc will surely impress the reader with their vivacity. But the intrusion of Hindi poems is a serious minus point in the novel�.

"Paharor ukho Sapor" is mainly a travelogue based on her sojourn at Arunachal Pradesh, published by Dutta Baruah & co. The book is an authentic document of cultural diversity and natural beauty of the region. The book also contains 13 short stories based on village life. Reviews of this book were published in many newspapers. One such review suggests, "By looking at the cover page one will have the illusion that this is a travelogue. But actually in is a curious mixture of travel writings and short stories. Her language is powerful and emphatic and at the same intimate. She uses evocative language in her description. "Body like tender cucumber," "Guys like Malbhog Banana are a few good examples".

Some of the stories in the collection were published in the adult magazine "Jana Siksha". The short stories are educational in subject and emphasis is given on ideology. The importance of education, the role of intellect, reservations against modern medicine, importance of family welfare, the constant tussle between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law these are some of the common themes in her story. Use of colloquial language in the texts makes them appealing to the reader. The next collection by Hiranyamoyi Devi is �Ful Fulise Amar Baganot� (1964) mainly devotes to the young reader. The collection contains a mosaic of short stories, poems, essays and poetic drama. The collection was a huge success among reader and she got numerous letters from her fans. After a sabbatical break, Ms. Devi published her third novel in 1978 which was entitled �Emuthi Abir Rang� the main protagonist Pallab confronts an unusual situation when he joins a job. The plot deals with issues such as suicide; exploitation Pallab confronts an unusual situation when he joins a job. The plot deals with issues such as suicide, exploitation of the poor by the rich, subjugation of women, conflict in ideology and the cruel reality in human life. The writer was moved by the contemporary onslaught of violence, torture and heinous crimes. Like all her novels, women characters are portrayed strongly. Suicide is not an ideal solution for the tortured women character that is brutally thrown into a well by the merciless husband. The novel ends happily but the reader�s sympathy goes to the pathetic death of Kishore. The novel raises some pertinent questions that are relevant in the society. The son rebels against the idealistic father "What have you being so idealistic? What have you got? You are cheated by everyone. You have raised many public institutions but what is your reward? The cream is grabbed by some powerful persons. In return, you have got only negligence, poverty".

Literary critics opine that the duty of the writer is to portray reality along with a possible solution. Ms. Devi has followed this ideal path in her novel. She is very optimistic and tries to offer possible solutions regarding all the problems in the novel.

In 1982 �Jatri� her latest collection till date was published which contains 20 poems. The poems are representative of the famous Assam agitation in Assam. Along with these poems, she has also translated three Hindi poetic pieces of three renowned poets. These are Spiritual poem by Kabir; �Urmilar Biroh Gaan� by Maithili Charan Gupta and Naiaia�s Dhara The writer feels that these three poems represent the very impulse of revolutionary zeal which is akin to the ideology of Assam Revolution.

The preface to the collection written by the famous writer Mahim Bora ex-president of Assam Sahitya Sabha. He comments in the introduction that the poems reflect the various phases of the movement where the poet also actively participated and was deeply motivated by it. The poet also admits that these poems are not very artistic in nature but are deeply ingrained in reality, a tribute to the movement where so many innocent people sacrificed their lives.

The poet is merged with the lives of the common people which are expressed pithily-

If the common folk screams and wails

Perpetual howling and out cry

Would you shut your door, thou minstrel

Engrossed in verse on moonlit night? (Scream)

Some poems are deeply allegorical and optimistic-

Dark cloud is that heart beat of laymen

Makes the world sweetened with beauty (Dark cloud)

Mr. Mahim Bora observes in the preface-

The reader won�t get the taste of good poetry in these poems but will be touched by the depiction of the painful saga of the martyrs. They will experience blood oozed out from the tender heart of the young martyrs.

The road is splattered with your blood

The flag in the road is too gory

But the flag flies high till eternity

(Tearful farewell to Martyrs)

Another important poem �Chetana �explores the fate, anxiety and grief of women who passes their joyful period.

It seemed that you came

Like Misty dark cloud

Like blissful touch of rain

But I could not hear the sound

Of the trumpet of the cloud

Of thunder and lighting

Once lighted my body with joy

After �Jatri� Ms Devi has not brought out any collection but her numbers articles are scattered here and there. She is a regular writer in the magazines such as "Jono Siksha" and "Dipok". Among these prolific writings� of Mahadevi Berma which are worth mentioning. She contributed a significant article entitled "Edaal Rekha Bashosthi Sonor" during the Chinese invasion of Assam in 1962. Another article on the Indian epics is serially published in magazine. Her writings are regularly published in �Amar Protinidhi", "Dainik Asam" "Stri Progati", "Shotoru[pa", "Satsori" "Lekhika" "Lekhika "etc. Among those, essay "Narir Nibonuwa Samasya", Bhojrojar Sapun", "Sharmanir Sansar" etc are worth mentioning. She composed a drama titled "Pakhi Bhonga Sorai" based on continuous violence happened in Nagaon during the Assam agitation. The play borders on the victimization of a woman in the movement. Her many writings are still unpublished.

Her contributions have been appreciated in newspapers and magazines such as �Uruli� �Dainik Asam� "Janambhumi" and "Pratibhamoyi". Her works have been well received by the readers which gives her sufficient moral boosting

Her life is itself an indomitable saga. The journey is complex yet meaningful for women who got married in her school days and confined to household works. But she has surpassed these boundaries by dedicating herself relentlessly to the service of literature. It is a journey to understand life, to feel life to explore the self that she is herself.