Guwahati, Dec 22: Australia-based Assam writer Chitta Ranjan Pathak’s debut English novel “The Elephant Girl” was recently released in Guwahati.
The novel moves around the legend – a mythical maiden riding a wild pachyderm during the 1930s in the Ripu and Kachugaon reserve forests – and popular among the people of the undivided Goalpara district.
“The Elephant Girl” was formally launched by Padmashree Arup Kumar Dutta on Saturday at the Institution of Engineers (India), Assam State Centre, Lakhtokia, Guwahati.
Speaking at the occasion Dutta said, “There are a few Assamese writers who are indulged in the English literary world. From today, Chitta RanjanPathak’s name has been added among the few who have been working in this field.”
“The author has beautifully done research in the history of undivided Goalpara district’s Ripu and Kachugaon reserve forests before portraying the content of the story,” Dutta added.
Chief Guest of the event, Bipul Deuri said that the life of the forest can be felt closely through this book. The author has brilliantly portrayed everything in depth, including the rituals and traditions of the Assamese society. Deuri expects that the readers’ community will welcome the upcoming novel.
Eminent guest of the event, Dhurbajyoti Hazarika said, “This is a beautiful novel. It is a tough job to write in English using proper grammar, but Pathak has very brilliantly written the novel.”
Other present in the event included Dr. Sangeeta Kakoti and Soumyadeep Dutta.
Chitta Ranjan Pathak is a chemical engineer based in Perth, Western Australia. He is the grandson of one of the greatest Assamese writers Sahityacharya Atul Chandra Hazarika.
