Suchibrata Roychoudhury

Among the litt�rateurs who created the golden mansion of Assamese literature, the contribution made by women writers are worth mentioning. They picked up their pen amidst their busy schedule to enrich Assamese language and literature with new job. Their immense aspiration for creation and expansion through their writings was an age-old phenomena and it has flourished and developed fully now. Suchibrata Roychoudhury is one of the bold women writers who had given vitality toward the Assamese language. Although she was an administrative officer, she continued her literary activities in her busy schedule.

Suchibrata Raychoudhury had a strong personality that attracted the people at first sight and her name is also appropriate to her personality, which conveys a sweet perception like musical tune.

Suchibrata was born in 1^st September of 1929 at Panbazar of Guwahati. Her mother was Kaushalya Devi and father was the famous poet Ambikagiri Raychoudhury.Revolutionary poet Ambikagiri, who transcend time, created sensitivity among the public and he tried to bring the wave of revolution in the society to eradicate the pollution from it. There was an immense influence of Ambikagiri in the life of Suchibrata Raychoudhury. She had got the inspiration from her father since her childhood to proceed in her life by following right, true and proper way. Even in the threshold of childhood she had close association of her father who taught her to love the country and nation. A creative atmosphere at home inspired her to write songs, poems, short stories, dramas, articles etc. such valuable contribution enriched the Assamese literature.

The educational life of Suchibrata Raychoudhury began at the Panbaza. Balika Primary School.From childhood,she was a brilliant student and got scholarship from school by qualifying the scholarship test examination.Her high school life started from class IV (four) at Panbazar Girl�s High School. At class V, she published a hand �written magazine with the help of her friend Kamala Das and she composed a poem on Mahatma Gandhi in that magazine entitled �Sannyasi�. In 1945, she had passed the Matriculation Examination in first division with letter marks in Assamese and History. For the Science subject she also received �Pratibha Devi Award� and Narayani Handique Award.� In 1947, Suchibrata Raychoudhoury passed the Intermediate Examination from Handique Girl�s College by securing first position in Assam among the girls. In 1949, she became a graduate from the same college and got admission in the Department of Economics in Gauhati University; but could not continue the course to some domestic problems and joined Tarini Charan Girl�s School as a teacher.

Service Life:

Suchibrata Raychoudhury started her career as teacher in 1951. In 1953, she appeared in the Assam Civil Service Examination. In 15^th February, 1954, she joined as Deputy Magistrate in Gauhati Court. Mrs. Raychoudhury had competently done her service as 1^st class magistrate in several places like Gauhati,Dhuburi, Dibrugarh, Nogaon etc. In 1970,she was transferred to Shillong as Deputy Director of Panchayet Department . In 1973, she became the Chief Executive Officer of Khadi and Gramodyog Board.In 1976, she became the Sub-Divisional Commissioner of Gauhati Division and later joined in 1977 as Secretary of District Gazetteer. Mrs. Raychoudhury was again transferred to Gauhati as the Chief Executive Officer of Khadi and Gramodyog Board and in 1983,she joined in the Assam Secratariat as Deputy Director of Education Department. In 1986, Suchibrata Raychoudhury became the Director of Social Welfare Department and at last retired from the service life as an officer of Revenue Department on 31^st August 1989. As an administrative officer, she was capable of establishing her identity as an honest, sincere and competent officer, and this was an inspiration for the subsequent new officers.

Literary activities :

From her childhood, Mrs. Raychoudhury concentrated herself in literary activities. Her talent developed since the publication of �Banti.�A hand-written magazine. After her Matric Examination, she translated a drama named Kon Bata and published it in 1947. Later on, the drama was performewd by �Arya Natya Samaj�� �Handique Girls College� and also broadcasted through the All India Radio. Dr. Bhupen Hazarika also broadcasted her dramas through Radio. Yugar Dabi, Garima �Saponar Bichar�, Bowari.� �Pratarana�� :Sanakar� are the dramas  written by Mrs. Raychoudhury on the topics of social problems. In the novel Bamarali, written for the deprived class, the novelist depicts the castism, social distinction, the activities of an unsteady modern girl who had to live a miserable life by causing disaster to her. The novel �Sundar Desh� is an effort for workship to infuse life in the statue of women by application of Indian spiritualism, music and art. The novel Bamarali was serially published in �Jayanti�. Mrs. Raychoudhury was a society- concerned writer and she tried to established a healthy atmosphere in the society by eradicating bigotry and superstition from it. In her short story collection,�Santarparna� and �Sonali Pera�, the problems of society and country are discussed and there is an effort to find out a solution of such problems. The boldness and kindness of her character were revealed through the dialogue of her stories. The progressive outlook of Suchibrata was seen in the stories published in her anthology of �Santarparna in 1961. Suchibrata Raychoudhury enriched the Assamese literature by doing various translation works. She translated the�Moon � is Down of John  Steinback in the title �Beli Lohiale� The short stories of �O� Henry, �Moon and Six Pences of samrchet Maugham, �The serpent and the Rope� of Raja Rao and �Cherry Orchard� of Anston Chekov are also translated by Suchibrata Raychoudhury. She also translated the �Dangerous Corner� of J.B Priestly and named as �Bipad- Seema� In this work she tried to adapt the characters and environment to the environment of Assam. She kept the name of her play �Bipad- Seema�. There is always a danger line between the bare truth of literature and human beings, one who crossed the line will be in danger.

Basically, Suchibrata Raychoudhury was a poet, although she enriched Assamese Literature with the compositions of short stories, novels, dramas songs, translations etc. The beautiful diction and deep thought, and use of simile in her songs and poems impressed the listeners. The picturesque quality, the syntax, and the art of expression of her songs attract the listeners.

We know that poetry is always related with emotion. The emotions of the poet like though, depression, anger, sadness and happiness of a poet depicted in the lyrics of the poems. 

Now a days, the whole surroundings are full of agony and fear. The human beings became Inactive due to unknown fear.

�Bhoy Bhoy Bhoy

 Ek anami Bhitir Hatorai

                Amar

Sattar Dingit Hesa

              Mari dharise

              Amar

Kpal Aru Sarir

              Ek

Kathin Jaratat Pongu Hoi Uthise��                        (Mathu Katha)

Sometimes the poet suffered from depression, the sweet fragrance of flower of the dreamland disappeared and is now filled up with silence, a kind of terrible silence.

 �Dhup Dhuna

Aru Phular Subase

        Ek

Swapnalok Rachana Karichil

       Etia lyat

        Ek

Bhayabaha Nirjanata�

�Mathu Katha� is a collection of simple poems. The poet wrote in the preface that� the collection is prepared to give expression of the instinct that no one think of the death of their child.

The Poet became restless by witnessing the injustice and exploitation of the depressed class of the society. She was always eager to lodge protest against such darkness and tried to bring sunshine.

�Mor Eei Hat

Eei Drishti

                Aru

Eei Kanthswar Thamaki Naroy

              Eei Dukhan Bhari

Chali Thakiba

              Anyay Atikramar Prayatnare�

The poet wait for a rain with an expectation that the rain would wipe out the dry heap of dust from the society and it would come like a fearless child.

�Patharkahan

             Achchnna Hoi Atarai

Sukan Dhulir Pardakhan Atarai

             Duranta Sisur Dare

Bhumistha Hua

            Ejak Bristir Plabanar Pratikhyat�

As a whole, �Mathu Katha�, Tumi Aru Moi� and Hahakarar Gan� are the beautiful collection of poems by Mrs. Raychoudhury.

�Suhuri,� and �Gunjan�, are the two collection of songs by the same author.The songs composed in these books express the deep thought of the poet. The beautiful picture depicted in the songs attracts the minds of the audience. In one song of �Gunjan�, it is expressed that-

�Nilabarania Durar pahar

Barasar Dhuabarania

Hoi Parichi Seidina

�Kola Akashate Bijuli Chamki Uthisil Ghane Ghane�

So many words are preserved in one�s heart for the beloved one. But those words are not expressed and withered in the heart and it would not been expressed in future also.

�Bejar Thanere

Birah Banere

Kalija Rangali Kara

Sei Katha Mor Nahal Koa

Hoytu Eeiye Sesh Dekha� (Gunjan)

The sorrow of the poet was kept in her heart. Nobody bothered for her, and gave love in return. The heart became tired of false dream.

� Hiyai Bichara Mon a Atari Palay

Maramar Nai Karo

Kono Pratidan

Bhalpoa Micha Mor

Alik Sapon

Pran Mor Bhagari Paril� (Gunjan)

The songs of Gunja Exhibits the patriotic feeling and respect for the country.The Country is enriched with its resources the country. All should try to drive hunger and make their effort to embellish with golden flower.

�Hat Mila Bhai Hat Mila

Eei Desh Mor Sunar Khani

Son Phula Bhai Son Phula.

Eei Bhok Ami Gucjhaba Lagibo

Machi Chakupani Hahiba Lagibo

Take karo Buli Hat mila

Hat Mila Bhai Son Phula� (Gunjan)

Suhuri is an another collection of songs.There are 50 songs in this collection. It is also composed in a simple language. The poet wants to express that the past is always past and it is meaningless to find it out.The past creators always a symphony of pain in heart.

�Atit Haday Simar Sipar

Hridayat Mathu Tole Hahakar

Bedanar Kolrol,� (Suhuri)

Some songs depict the beautiful scenario of the country side. The green paddy fields , the girls of the village busy with making cloths and the group fishing scene of the villages are the subject matter of such songs:-

�Amar Gaonar Ji-Bowari

Tatal Tole Tarei Chabi

Desh Bideshar Khanikarar

Tate Herai Chit

Eeiye Amar Gaon

Ati Maramar Gaon�.

Suchibrata Raychoudhury was a true socialist. She had tremendous belief in The Gandhian Plulosophy. Therefore, she gave importance on self-independence and dignity of labour. According to Mrs. Raychoudhury, the means of a work is more important than the result of a work done. She believes that no right task can be done by wrong way. She was participated in the social service since her school life. During the 1942�s movement she was a small girl residing at Pokua of Nalbari with her grandfather Kalicharan Choudhury and she distributed the news bulletins among the villagers during that time. She also taught the villagers to spin thread. During the period of study in Handique Girl�s College she was the secretary of the student Union.

As a social worker,Mrs.Raychoudhury had done so many social welfare works. During the service period in Dhuburi,she established an Assamese medium Pre-Primary school for the Harijan people in her own residence and taught the students with her effort. She also established a hostel for the working women at Narengi with the contribution of the public and social service department. Mrs. Raychoudhury always gave importance on self-independence. She established �Pub Guwahati Mahila Samiti.� For the first time she encouraged the women to sell the packed local food items (Pitha, laddu), An institution named �Raygiri� was one of the important social service centre established by the �Pub Guwahati Mahila Samiti�in the initiative of Subchibrata Raychoudhury. She created a trust on the name of her father Ambikagiri Raychoudhury and established a women and Child Welfare Centre at Narengi, Pathar Kueri as a part of this trust. The trust always tried to improve the condition of the deprived and poor women of the society and helped them to stay in the society with dignity. She organized the trainings on sericulture and knitting for such women and supplied necessary threads to the village women. Now, Suchibrata Raychoudhury is connected with many social organizations like �Kasturba Trust�, �Nirmal Ashray�, etc.. She is also president of �Indian Social Health Organization Assam Branch� She is also connected with �Raychoudhury- Gandhi Memorial Fund�, Mrs. Raychoudhury helped many poor girls to achieve education by giving economic assistance and helped them in their established also. It is always praiseworthy that a women feels the pain and sufferings of the others and helps them thought social service . She says, �The girls are now established in the society and they lead a happy life. I want to see it�.

 Apart from the works discussed above she composed some works which remained unpublished. The are Garima. Saponar Bichar, Yugar Dabi, Navajatak, Bowari, Pratarana, Sanakar (drama) , Stories of O�Henry, Moon and six pences of Somarchet Maugham, Dangerous Corner of J.B Priestley . Serpenct and the Rope of Raja Rao, Cherry Orchard of Anton Chekov. (Translation work) etc.

The enthusiasm of this great woman is not yet blurred. Her sincerity, service to society, literature is the source of inspiration for all the women. Her bold language, sweet scent of her writing will impress all the conscious minds. May her writings make the loving motherland shine in the world.