Burhi Aair Sadhu

Burhi Aair Sadhu
বুঢ়ী আইৰ সাধু
AuthorLakshminath Bezbaruah
LanguageAssamese
GenreStory book
PublisherBanlata Prakashan[1]
Publication date
1911
Publication placeAssam, India
Media typePrinted
ISBN81-7339-215-3 [1]

Burhi Aair Sadhu or Burhi Aai'r Xaadhu (Assamese: বুঢ়ী আইৰ সাধু, literally translated to Grand Mother's Tales) is a collection of stories or folklore, that have been compiled by famous Assamese author and poet Lakshminath Bezbaruah.[2] It is one of the most popular texts in Assamese literature.[3] This book was first published in October–November 1911.[4] After the first publication 100 years[5] have been passed and countless editions of the book have been published. This book is in now in the public domain as per copyright law of India.

Book description

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Some of the 30 folklores included in the book were his own. The preface itself was a brilliant narration regarding genesis, movement and importance of folklores in different societies and communities of the world. Some of the stories are Bandor aaru Xial, Dhowa Kauri aru Tiposi Sorai, Budhiyak Xial, Gongatop, Tejimola, Xorobjan and Burha Burhi.

List of stories

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The following list includes the titles of the stories in the original Assamese (sometimes with an alternate spelling) and their respective English translations.

  1. Bandor aru Xial[6] - The Monkey and the Fox[7]
  2. Dhura Kauri aru Tiposi Sorai - The Jungle Crow and the Wren;[8] The Raven and the Wren[9]
  3. Mekurir Jiyekor Xadhu - The Tale of the Cat's Daughter;[10] The tale of the cat's daughters[11]
  4. Dighalthengia - The Long-Legged One[12]
  5. Budhiyok Xial - The Tale of a Cunning Fox[13]
  6. Bagh aru Kekura (Bagh Aru Kekorar Sadhu)[14] - The Tale of the Tiger and the Crab[15]
  7. Tejimola [as][16]
  8. Burha-Buri aru Xial - The Old Man, the Old Woman and the Fox[17]
  9. Gangatup - The Globefish or Gangatope;[18] Gongatoup[19]
  10. Xorobjan (Sarabjan)[20] - The All-Knowing One[21]
  11. Silonir Jiyekor Xadhu - The Tale of the Kite's Daughter[22][23]
  12. Eta Boli Manuh (Ata Bolee Manuh)[24] - The Tale of a Strong Man[25]
  13. Kukurikona (Kukurikana) - Purblind[26]
  14. Tula aru Teja [as] - Toola and Teja;[27] Tula and Teja[28]
  15. Kotajuwa Naak Kharoni di Dhak (Kata Jowa nak Kharani di dhak) - Chopped off nose, Cover it with Alkali[29]
  16. Bhekulir Xadhu - The Story of a Frog[30]
  17. Tawoiekor Xadhu (Tawoir Sadhu) - The tale of the father's best friend[31]
  18. Lotkon (Latkan)[32]
  19. Lokhimi Tiruta (Lakhimi Tirota) - The Woman with a Midas Touch[33]
  20. Dui Budhiyok - Two Cunning Fellows[34]
  21. Kanchani[35]
  22. Ou Kuwori [as][36] (Ow Kooanri)[37] - The Ow-Princess;[38] Ou-princess;[39] Elephant-Fruit Princess[40]
  23. Ejoni Malini aru Ejupa Phool - A Flower-Maiden and a Flower Plant;[41] A lady-gardener and a flowering plant[42]
  24. Numoliya Pu - The Youngest Child[43]
  25. Eta Xingora Maasor Kotha - The Tale of a Singara Fish;[44] The tale of a singora-fish;[45] Story of A Catfish[46]
  26. Tikhor Aru Suti Bai (Tikhar aru Sutibai) - Tikhar and Sutibai[47]
  27. Champavati[48] (Champabati)[49]
  28. Jaradgab Rojar Upokhyan (Jaradgab Rajar Upakhyan) - Tale of King Jaradgab[50]
  29. Panexoi (Panesoi)[51]
  30. Juwair Xadhu (Jouwair Sadhu) - Tale of a son-in-law[52]

Source of stories

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The author collected these stories from the common native people of Assam and then prepared this book. The names he mentioned in the preface of the book who contributed the folklores (but without explicitly mentioning who contributed which one) were Bhramarendra Saikia, Mahi Chandra Bora, Sitanath Sharma, Sarveshwar Sharma Kotoky, Rudrakanta Goswami, Wajed Ali, Naranath Sharma, Rusheswar Sharma, Padmadhar Chaliha, Ratnakanta Sharma, Haladhar Bhuyan, Guluk Chandra Sharma, Meghnath Deka, Roop Chandra Barua, Dinanath Medhi, Lokonath Das, Gobinda Chandra Choudhuri, and Dineswar Dutta.

English translation

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This book was translated to English as "Old Mother's Wise Tales" by Nripen Dutta Baruah and published by LBS Publications, India.[53][54][55]

Modern uses and adaptations

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The stories have been notably adapted for screen, stage, and television over the years.

Films

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  • An Assamese film, Haladhar (1991), was made from a story of this book by Sanjeev Hazorika.[4]
  • Another Assamese movie, Tula aru Teja, directed by Junmoni Devi Khaund and released on 13 April 2012 is based on the story of this book of the same name.[56][57]
  • In 2013, Metanormal Motion Pictures announced a new project inspired by four stories contained in Burhi Aair Sadhu.[58] Titled Kothanodi, the film was expected to release in 2015.[59] The four stories referenced in the film are Tejimola, Champawati, Ou Kuwori (The Outenga Maiden) and Tawoir Xadhu (The Story of Tawoi).

References

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  1. ^ a b "Prakashan". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
  2. ^ mariette (6 March 2013). "Resources on the history of Assamese children's literature | A small journey into Indian Publishing for Children". Marietterobbes.wordpress.com. Retrieved 15 March 2013.
  3. ^ "Welcome to Muse India". Museindia.com. Archived from the original on 18 July 2014. Retrieved 15 March 2013.
  4. ^ a b "Burhi Aai to cast her spell on listeners — Yahoo! News India". In.news.yahoo.com. 28 September 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2013.
  5. ^ "Burhi Aair Sadhu undergoes revision Assam Tribune". Kishys.com. Archived from the original on 11 April 2013. Retrieved 15 March 2013.
  6. ^ বান্দৰ আৰু শিয়াল (in Assamese)
  7. ^ Barua, J. (1954) [1915]. Folk Tales of Assam. Gauhati, Assam: Lawyer's Book Stall. p. 8.
  8. ^ Barua, J. (1954) [1915]. Folk Tales of Assam. Gauhati, Assam: Lawyer's Book Stall. p. 20.
  9. ^ Bez Baroa 2023, pp. 46–48
  10. ^ Barua, J. (1954) [1915]. Folk Tales of Assam. Gauhati, Assam: Lawyer's Book Stall. p. 1.
  11. ^ Bezbaroa 2011, pp. 1–5
  12. ^ Barua, J. (1954) [1915]. Folk Tales of Assam. Gauhati, Assam: Lawyer's Book Stall. p. 67.
  13. ^ Barua, J. (1954) [1915]. Folk Tales of Assam. Gauhati, Assam: Lawyer's Book Stall. p. 29.
  14. ^ Bez Baroa 2023, pp. 55–62
  15. ^ Barua, J. (1954) [1915]. Folk Tales of Assam. Gauhati, Assam: Lawyer's Book Stall. p. 37.
  16. ^ Barua, J. (1954) [1915]. Folk Tales of Assam. Gauhati, Assam: Lawyer's Book Stall. p. 51.
  17. ^ Barua, J. (1954) [1915]. Folk Tales of Assam. Gauhati, Assam: Lawyer's Book Stall. p. 62.
  18. ^ Barua, J. (1954) [1915]. Folk Tales of Assam. Gauhati, Assam: Lawyer's Book Stall. p. 82.
  19. ^ Bezbaroa 2011, pp. 49–52
  20. ^ Bez Baroa 2023, pp. 81–85
  21. ^ Barua, J. (1954) [1915]. Folk Tales of Assam. Gauhati, Assam: Lawyer's Book Stall. p. 84.
  22. ^ Barua, J. (1954) [1915]. Folk Tales of Assam. Gauhati, Assam: Lawyer's Book Stall. p. 103.
  23. ^ Bezbaroa 2011, pp. 66–73
  24. ^ Bez Baroa 2023, pp. 88–90
  25. ^ Barua, J. (1954) [1915]. Folk Tales of Assam. Gauhati, Assam: Lawyer's Book Stall. p. 98.
  26. ^ Bez Baroa 2023, pp. 135–138
  27. ^ Barua, J. (1954) [1915]. Folk Tales of Assam. Gauhati, Assam: Lawyer's Book Stall. p. 117.
  28. ^ Bezbaroa 2011, pp. 74–85
  29. ^ Bez Baroa 2023, pp. 128–131
  30. ^ Bez Baroa 2023, pp. 150–152
  31. ^ Bez Baroa 2023, pp. 125–127
  32. ^ Bez Baroa 2023, pp. 139–142
  33. ^ Bez Baroa 2023, pp. 122–124
  34. ^ Bez Baroa 2023, pp. 111–114
  35. ^ Bez Baroa 2023, pp. 115–121
  36. ^ ঔ-কুঁৱৰী (in Assamese)
  37. ^ Bez Baroa 2023, pp. 43–45
  38. ^ Barua, J. (1954) [1915]. Folk Tales of Assam. Gauhati, Assam: Lawyer's Book Stall. p. 15.
  39. ^ Bezbaroa 2011, pp. 9–11
  40. ^ Bezbaroa 2020, pp. 32–34
  41. ^ Barua, J. (1954) [1915]. Folk Tales of Assam. Gauhati, Assam: Lawyer's Book Stall. p. 26.
  42. ^ Bezbaroa 2011, pp. 16–20
  43. ^ Barua, J. (1954) [1915]. Folk Tales of Assam. Gauhati, Assam: Lawyer's Book Stall. p. 79.
  44. ^ Barua, J. (1954) [1915]. Folk Tales of Assam. Gauhati, Assam: Lawyer's Book Stall. p. 94.
  45. ^ Bezbaroa 2011, pp. 61–62
  46. ^ Bezbaroa 2020, pp. 168–169
  47. ^ Bez Baroa 2023, pp. 153–156
  48. ^ Bezbaroa 2011, pp. 95–101
  49. ^ Bezbaroa 2020, pp. 136–145
  50. ^ Bez Baroa 2023, pp. 132–134
  51. ^ Bez Baroa 2023, pp. 143–146
  52. ^ Bez Baroa 2023, pp. 147–149
  53. ^ "The Sentinel". Sentinelassam.com. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 15 March 2013.
  54. ^ "The Sentinel". Sentinelassam.com. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 15 March 2013.
  55. ^ TI Trade (30 July 2012). "The Assam Tribune Online". Assamtribune.com. Archived from the original on 23 November 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2013.
  56. ^ "Tula aru Teja (তুলা আৰু তেজা) - Assamese Film Promo". YouTube. 4 April 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2013.
  57. ^ "Assamese Films in 2012". The Sentinel. Archived from the original on 13 December 2013. Retrieved 15 March 2013.
  58. ^ "New film based on Buri Ai'r Xadhu". Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
  59. ^ Das, Gaurav (3 December 2013). "Four iconic fables to feature in film". The Times of India. Retrieved 8 July 2019.
Bibliography
  • Barua, J. (1954) [1915]. Folk Tales of Assam. Gauhati, Assam: Lawyer's Book Stall. (collects 17 tales)
  • Bezbaroa, Lakshiminath (2011). Grandma's Tales. Translated by Pallavi Barua. Hornbill Productions. ISBN 978-81-904424-0-4.
  • Bezbaroa, Lakshminath (2020). Old Mother's Wise Tales: Burhi Aair Sadhu. Translated by Nripen Dutta Baruah. LBS Publications.
  • Bez Baroa, Lakshminath (2023). Grandmother's Tales (A Translation of Burhi Air Sadhu). Translated by Jnyanadabhiram Borooah; Dilip Kumar Kalita. Assam: Anundoram Borroha Institute Of Language, Art And Culture. ISBN 9789382680611.

Further reading

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Assamese Wikisource has original text related to this article:
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