Brief Introduction

The reading of the virtues of a talented person undoubtedly helps to build up a person to a complete one. The importance of biographical studies in this regard is immense. The fact is that the biographical studies not only provide us information about a person’s life but also help us to make comparative analysis of many aspects of our lives through his life philosophy and values. That is why the nobles have placed so much emphasis on the study of the biography of the nobles.

In the case of Assamese literature though biographical literature has not ascended to the highest peaks but has already captured a respectable position. The people who have endeavoured to place biographical literature in a respectable position in Assamese literature Late Nanda Talukdar is one among those few. With boundless hard work and systematic effort late Nanda Talukdar had written biographies of many of his commendable contemporaries and forerunners that uplifted the Assamese biographical literature to a respectable position. Nanda Talukdar was known not only as a biographer but also as one of the leading researcher of nineteenth century Assamese literature. His colourful life started from village Ververi of Barpeta.Born on 21st May, 1932 Talukdar first received his primary education in Barnagar.After coming to Guwahati he enrolled in the science section in Cotton College after passing the matriculation from Sonaram High School. But soon after he enrolled himself in the Art’s stream at B.Barooah College, Guwahati. At that time he met Hem Barooah,the then principal of the college. He had a very strong teacher-student rapport with Hem Barooah and whatever information’s he had about him is now scarce among many people in Assam. Moreover herein this college he also met Yogesh Das, a prominent literary figure of Assam. While studying at B Barooah College he was elected as the Magazine Secretary and performed that duty well. Similarly while he was studying at Gauhati University he had also proved his literary faculty by electing as the Magazine Secretary. After completing his M.A from Gauhati University, he also had to work in Shillong for some time. However after a few days when he got the appointment at Pandu College he returned to Guwahati.

When he was teaching at Pandu college he did not confined him only in teaching. During that time he was also immersed in literary pursuits. Nanda Taukdar’s place in Assamese literature especially as a biographer will be acknowledged by all. His first biographical book is Banfoolar Kavi Duara(1970).That after he had published a total eight biography that includes one unpublished book titled jeevan Sangam and one incomplete biography Birinchi Kumar Baruah. In respect of literary criticism his book Kavi aru Kavita still has been considered as one of the important and popular books among the students in the college level. On the other hand his book Sambad Patrar Rod Kachalit Asomiya Sahitya (1975) is one unprejudiced analytical piece of writing. Noted critique and the founder Vice Chancellor of the Gauhati University Krishnakant Handique had conveyed to Talukdar these few lines about this book-“ I have read less interesting books in Assamese like your book Sambad Patrar Rod Kachalit Asomiya Sahitya. In this book you have put much important information regarding the history of modern Assamese literature. More particularly the development of Assamese language during the period of Jonaki Yug is a romantic chapter in the history of Assamese literature. The value of your book has increased as it provides an accurate description of this and other related topics.” This book presents a beautiful illustration of nineteenth century Assamese newspaper –centric literature.

In respect of editing, Nanda Talukdar also edited a good number of books. As he had edited the writings of many prominent personalities of Assamese literature it became possible to get essays of those talented persons at a time. In this regard Kanaklal Baruah Rachanavali, Nabin Chandra Rachanavali, Anandaram Dhekial Phukanar Rachana Sangraha,Lambodar Bara Rachanavali and Padmavati Devi Phukananinir Rachanavali are some of the important collections. Moreover Achina a poetry collection by Amulya Baruah, Alokeshi Beshyar Bishay and Kani Beheruar Bishay are important books edited by Nanda Talukdar. He also penned a children book titled Tahanir Sadhu that also enriched Assamese children literature.

Apart from all these contributions the research thesis of Late Nanda Talukdar itself is a reliable and informatics book. The title of the thesis was “Ananda Ram Dhekial Phookan and the Early Nineteenth Century Renissance of Assam”. Though he had completed this thesis but unfortunately he died immediately before receiving his doctorate from the university. However, he was later honoured by the university with a posthumous doctorate degree.

During his lifetime he was associated with many organizations. He was working as an assistant secretary of the executive committee of Asom Sahity Sabh during 1966-70. In 1962 he was the secretary of Guwahati Sahitya Sabha and also presided the Maligaon Sahitya Sabha during the period in-between 1965-70. In addition to these activities he was also closely associated with Assam Academy for Cultural Relation (joint secretary,1966), Kamrup Anusandhan Samittee. Guwahti University Syllabus Committee etc.

One of the monuments of Taukdar’s life is the library for which he himself collected various rare books. He endeavoured hard effort to collect many books and documents of his time as well as his prior period for this library. He had started such collection since his school days. During his life time more than 600 magazines and papers and more than ten thousand books was preserved in this library. He had a deep affection towards books and magazines belonging to nineteenth century. Therefore he had collected various rare books and magazines with hard efforts and studied those. Moreover he had opened the door of his library for the interested one.

Nanda Talukdar’s life was full of devotion and concentration as a whole. Studies, research, social work wherever he was involved he expressed deep reverences. Whatever hard work he had been afforded for writing books like Surya Kumar Bhuyar Jeevani and Sambad Patrar Rod Kachalit Asomiya Sahitya could be realized by reading this books. The Talukdar carried out social work with a national sense of responsibility. He also supported the foreigner expulsion movement in Assam. For the causes of Assamese Nation and for Assamese life a dedicated soul had been reflected in the mindset of Nanda Talukdar. He was an invaluable part of Assam till he departed this life in an accident on 26th February, 1983.

Today the existence of Nanda Talukdar invariably can be seen in every layer of our national life and in every sphere of our intellectual exercise.