HT Correspondent
TEZPUR, July 20: “Translation is a difficult but essential craft,” said eminent author Padma Shri Yese Dorje Thongchi, speaking at a book launch event held at Tezpur Sahitya Sabha Bhawan on Saturday. Emphasising the importance of high-quality translations to expand the reach of Assamese literature, he urged fellow writers to set aside ego and strive for improvement in every new work.
Thongchi added that he personally felt little need for ceremonial book launches.
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The event marked the release of Yatra, a Hindi translation of fifteen of Thongchi’s acclaimed short stories.
The volume, translated by his wife and writer-cultural activist Inumoni Das Thongchi, has been published by Lokranjan Prakashan, Prayagraj.
The book was formally released by Sahitya Akademi Award-winning author and Tezpur University academician Dr Juri Dutta, who praised Thongchi’s ability to capture subtle, unspoken emotions of life in his stories.
“His work, while rooted in local contexts, attains a universal appeal,” Dr Dutta said, adding that translation serves as a vital bridge between cultures and languages.
Tezpur MLA Prithiraj Rabha, who attended the event as chief guest, spoke of the longstanding cultural bond between Tezpur and Arunachal Pradesh, stating, “Generations of Tezpur residents have embraced Yese Dorje Thongchi as one of their own.”
Presiding over the function, Tezpur Sahitya Sabha President Dhrubajyoti Das expressed gratitude for hosting the historic release and acknowledged Thongchi’s enduring contribution to literature.
In her welcome address, Inumoni Das Thongchi spoke about her motivation for translating the stories, citing their universal humanist themes and the increasing interest of non-Assamese readers in her husband’s work.
The programme, moderated by Pankaj Baruah, began with a devotional song by veteran vocalist Kalpana Kalita and the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by Dr Bhupen Saikia, former president of Tezpur Sahitya Sabha.
The event concluded with Thongchi donating several valuable books to the Sahitya Sabha library.
Among others present were former principal secretary of Asam Sahitya Sabha Jadab Chandra Sarma; authors Dr Charu Saharia Nath, Sushil Kurmi, and Sanjay Kumar Tanti; Tezpur Sahitya Sabha secretary Dr Pallab Bhattacharyya; Executive President of the Publicity Subcommittee of Asam Sahitya Sabha Mahendra Kumar Nath; journalist Sambhu Boro; organising secretary Dulal Nath; general secretary of Baan Theatre Jitumoni Deva Choudhury; and executive members Basudev Sarma, Chittadev Sarma, Nakul Kurmi, Doulat Rajowar, Jintu Borthakur, Biswajit Boro, and Dulal Goswami, along with several members and office bearers of Tezpur Sahitya Sabha and Sonitpur Zila Sahitya Sabha.
