Book Review by Dr Merry Baruah
Dr Dilip Sarma's anthology of prose writings, published by Bandhav, Guwahati, would easily tempt readers through its title - Bezbaro?r Ganit-Carc? ?ru Racan? Vividh?! Sahityarathi Bezbaroa needs no introduction to any Axomiya or anyone familiar with Asom and its literary history. However, to find Bezbaroa and mathematics in the same context is not only unique but also something that can best be described as unexpected! In Dr Sarma's hands, the doyen of Axomiya literature emerges in a new light. Those who see Bezbaroa as the father of modern Axomiya literature would discover a surprisingly unique trait: his writings are imbued with mathematical references, reflected, for instance, in his autobiography, Mur Jiwon Xuworon, and in one of his short stories, "Ghontakorno Sarma", as elaborated by the author in this volume. Dr Sarma's essay does not merely illustrate the Sahityarathi's unique trait; it also provides readers with an informative and entertaining perspective on Bezbaroa's literary oeuvre and the contemporary socio-cultural landscape.
The volume emerges as a rare work, bringing together the lives and achievements, challenges and moments of glory associated with mathematicians throughout history and from different parts of the globe for readers from backgrounds other than mathematics. The anecdotal narratives based on the lives and works of the 12th-century Indian genius Bhaskarcharya, the 17th-century German mathematician Christian Goldbach, the 19th-century India-born Augustus de Morgan, and the English mathematician Philippa Garrett Fawcett, to name a few, keep readers enthralled. A blend of the personal and the expository in terms of style and content, these essays draw readers' attention to the complexities and endeavours of the times in which these individuals lived and practised their trade.
There is more to the volume. Some essays take readers back to the days of yore, to times when human lives were more dignified, embedded in simplicity and not immersed in the material quantification of success and happiness! These pieces read like pearls in a strand. 'Akhyat Mahan' and 'Bator Dubori Bon', for instance, provide delightful insights into the author's reminiscences of events and people, conjuring up an entire world of nostalgia! The essays resonate with the world of Essays of Elia, in which Charles Lamb blended subjective intimacy, gentle humour and melancholic reflection, touching readers' hearts to their very core.
Almost all the pieces provide a socio-historical and cultural background to their subjects, enabling readers to develop a detailed understanding of them. Dr Sarma's precision and eye for detail, without unnecessary elaboration, provide a balanced perspective while ensuring that nothing essential is overlooked. The volume's wide sweep is amply demonstrated by its exploration of cinema and literature through reflections on Harindranath Chattopadhyay, Soumitro Chatterjee, Homen Borgohain and others. Among these pieces, the one on Kameswar Das perhaps comes as a surprise, as the author hails him as a pioneer of Assamese science literature. The essay goes on to bring to light significant aspects of Das's literary pursuits in the world of science. This volume could perhaps have included a few more enlightening pieces on women in science, which would have given readers the pleasure of learning about them through Dr Sarma's engaging writing.
Reviewing this work is a herculean task, as this unique collection takes readers on an odyssey, stopping here for gems from the world of numbers, there for life lessons hidden in the experiences of ordinary people, and elsewhere for nostalgic treasures of gentle humour. Its diction and usage breathe life into exquisite Axomiya words, some of which Dr Sarma brings back to life in this volume. The work enriches the soul while providing readers with a deep sense of contentment at having come to know about people and lives that have become 'endangered' in a world of "sick hurry and divided aims"! The additional pieces, one in Bangla and another in English, along with the four critical writings on Dr Sarma, add to the value of this collection, which strongly qualifies as a prized possession for every book lover.
Dr Merry Baruah is an Associate Professor in the department of English, Cotton University. She can be reached at 7896872280