Myths and Tales of Kock-Rajbanshis of Western Assam

In our society, in order to explain stories that are prevailing in the form of prose narravite, folk tales are usually used. These can be categorized into three forms (1) Myth (2) Jonoshruti or Legend and (3) Jadukotha or Tale. The topic of our discussion is Myth. In Assamese it is called Puran Katha or Pura Katha or Purabrittya or Otikatha or Gosain Katha. In Bengali it is called Loka Puran. Although we are focusing on the Myths and Tales of the Koch Rajbanghsi of Western Assam in this seminar, the details of the Rajbangshis of North Bengal will also consequently occur. Myths n mainly spiritual birth sand rituals of an ethnic community, from the from the God-Goddesses and the legendary works their great men did which have got place in the beliefs of the people and form the culture symptoms, religious beliefs etc. of that community. Keeping the English 'Myth' terminology only, we have organized this seminar to collect, discuss and analyze the Myths and Tales prevalent among the Koch-Rajbangshis. On our discussed subject matter, as in the other regions of India, the Koch-Rajbangshi of the Western Assam do have innumerable Myths and Tales to their credit.

We would like to explore how the life cycle, the reality, social consciousness, science, establishment, art, sculputre, literature of an ethnic community are hidden in its myths and tales. In addition to that, how the thinking of Koch Rajbangshis has been expressed through its acceptance. On the other hand, how new myths have been built up by breaking the ancient myths and how from myths to tales and from tales to legends have been formed.

Dwijendra Nath Bhakat (1954) is a thoughtful Writer and Researcher. In the year 1992 he got Ph.D. award from Gauhati University on the Topic "The Assamese Vaisnavite Satras of North Bengal and Goalpara". In 2009 he received the Sankardev Research award for this thesis from Auniati Satra Majuli, Assam. He has also received Bepin Chakraborty Sanman 2010, Dhubri; Minati Nandi award, 2013, and; Trivirtta award 2014, from Coochbehar, Siksha Bikash award, 2015, New Delhi; Kriti Sikshak Sanman, 2015, Dhubri; Biswa Mahabir, Chilarai Smark Award, 2016, Nalbari; Grierson award, 2018. Rajbangshi Bhasa Akademi, Matigara, Darjeeling; Hemchandra Barua Bhasa Sanman, 2018, Axam Sahitya Sabha. W.H.A. Wood Award, ABN Seal College, Cooch Behar, 2018; Rajbanshi Bhasa Samman, 2019, Rajbangshi Bhasa Akademi, Cooch Behar, W.B. Govt. He has written 45 books on various subjects like language, culture, literature, travelling etc. On 30th April, 2015, he retired from his service as an Associate Professor and Head, Department of Assamese, Chilarai College, Golakganj, Dhubri, Assam. At present he is a Research guide, Department of MIL and L.S. Gauhati University and guest Professor of Panchanan Barma University, Department of Rajbangshi language course and also President of Koch Rajbangshi Sahitya Sabha, Assam.

Koch Rajbangshi Sahitya Sabha is a colossal apolitical Korganization of Assam. The main objective of this organization is to study, publish, publicize, expand and preserve the language, literature and culture of Koch Rajbangshi ethnic community. Keeping this aim in mind, we had organized a seminar on 27th and 28th September, 2016 in collaboration with Sahitya Akademi and Chilarai College. Subject of this seminar was 'Myths and Tales of Koch Rajbangshi of Western Assam'.

In our society, in order to explain stories that are prevailing in the form of prose narravite, folk tales are usually used. These can be categorized into three forms (1) Myth (2) Jonoshruti or Legend and (3) Jadukotha or Tale. The topic of our discussion is Myth. In Assamese it is called Puran Katha or Pura Katha or Purabritty or Otikatha or Gosain Katha. In Bengali it is called Loka n. Although we are focusing on the Myths and Tales of the Koch Rajbanghsi of Western Assam in this seminar, the details of the Rajbangshis of North Bengal will also consequently occur. Myths mainly originate from the birth and spiritual rituals of an ethnic community, from the God-Goddesses and the legendary works their great men did which have got place in the beliefs of the people and form the culture symptoms, religious beliefs etc. of that community. Keeping the English 'Myth' terminology only. we have organized this seminar to collect, discuss and analyze the Myths and Tales prevalent among the Koch Rajbangshis. With this objective, we requested the Sahitya Academy for a seminar. The Sahitya Akademi accepted our request and gave us their permission. In this regard, I would like to specially thank Dr. Gopal Chandra Barman, Eastern Region of Sahitya Akademi. It is due to his initiatives only that for the first time in North East India, a seminar on Myths & Tales has been organized.

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