The fourth poetry book “Panidongar Bengunia Phulbor” by senior Assam Civil Service officer and distinguished poet-writer Bimal Deka, who is currently serving as Additional Secretary in the General Administration Department, Government of Assam, was released today at a solemn event held at the Guwahati Press Club.
The book was formally unveiled by renowned journalist and fiction writer Anuradha Sharma Pujari.
Speaking at the event, Anuradha Sharma Pujari said that those who do not forget to look at the sky even amidst their busy lives, and who do not forget to enjoy the feel of the rain, are the ones who truly find meaning in life. “Poetry comes from nature itself,” she said. “Despite a hectic life as a senior officer of the state administration, Bimal Deka has kept himself connected to nature and to his roots, and has consistently pursued poetry. This brings a message of hope for society as a whole.”
She added that although the poems in Panidongar Bengunia Phulbor are inspired by Japanese haiku, the brevity and simplicity of these short poems will touch readers’ hearts, much like the poems of ‘Hiruda’ [Hiren Bhattacharya].
Thaneswar Malakar, writer and retired Commissioner & Secretary, Government of Assam, attended as the Chief Guest. Recalling his long association with Bimal Deka, he gave a comprehensive overview of Deka’s poetry and urged him to also try his hand at prose writing.
Notably, poet Bimal Deka has dedicated his poetry book Panidongar Bengunia Phulbor to his native village “Belashar”. At the event, he formally presented the book to Achyut Kumar Patowary, Chief Associate Editor of Asomiya Pratidin, as a representative of the village.
As a distinguished guest, Achyut Kumar Patowary spoke about various facets of Bimal Deka’s talent and, being from the same village of Belashar, also shared brief reflections on the village and the family. He moved the audience by performing a song of Parvati Prasad Baruah.
Another distinguished guest, Mihir Deuri, Editor of Prakash magazine, offered a brief analysis of Bimal Deka’s poetry book in the context of different trends in poetry and literature.
The event was anchored by renowned writer and anchor Bijoy Shankar Sharma, who in his welcome address said that poet Bimal Deka drew inspiration and encouragement for writing poetry from National Poet Anisuzzaman.
The event began with lighting of a lamp and offering of floral tribute to the portrait of the poet’s late father Ramesh Chandra Deka. Ankita Deka, the artist of the book’s cover and interior design, also shared her experience.
Anindita Deka recited three poems from the book and enthralled the gathering. Aklanta Bijoy Sharma, a KG student of Axom Jatiya Vidyalaya, mesmerized everyone with a performance of a Bishnu Rabha song.
Speaking on behalf of the gathering, writer and administrative officer Indrani Laskar and administrative officer and poet Kamal Baruah also addressed the gathering.
The event was attended by publisher Babita Deka, writer Purandar Patgiri, writer and producer Gopal Jalan, Editor of Bartapukhuri magazine Brajendra Deka, and several other eminent personalities from the literary field and poetry lovers.
