The Sky Over the Window
By Kalyan Bhuyan, Translated by Ananda Bormudoi
A collection of poems originally written in Assamese.
2023, PWF, HB, Price Rs 200.00, ISBN 978-81-975772-3-9
About the Poet
Kalyan Bhuyan is a Professor in the Department of Physics, Dibrugarh University, Assam. He regularly writes popular science articles for premier magazines published in Assamese Language. His biography of Nicolaus Copernicus written in Assamese has been published by the Publication Division, Dibrugarh University. He also writes fiction as well as poems in Assamese. Recently, a collection of his poems has been published in Assamese.
About the Translator
Dr. Ananda Bormudoi is a literary critic and translator based in Guwahati, Assam. He translates from Assamese language to English and vice versa. He has published more than fifteen books on literary criticism in Assamese and English. He has translated more than eight books from Assamese to English and vice versa. Some of his critically acclaimed books in Assamese are Asamiya Samalochana Sahityar Chamu Buranji (A Short History of Assamese Literary Criticism, 2008); Asamiya Kavitar Samalochana (Criticism of Assamese Poetry, 2012); Yuganayak Sankardeva (Hero of the Era Sankardeva, 2014); Adhunik Asamiya Sahityar Itihas (A History of Modern Assamese Literature, 2023).
About the Book
“Kalyan Bhuyan’s poems have something eerie, mysterious and philosophical about them. They speak of unexpected encounters, fragile moments, vanishing identities, spectral presences and at times, as in ‘A Cow’ the perverse hegemonic politics of our time. His language is precise, condensed and often meditative.”
K. Satchidanandan, Poet and Critic
“In the poetry of Kalyan Bhuyan, the words embrace the touch of the everyday with an ambient feel, and the situations evoked in his verse are marked by sincerity of expression, which is indeed commendable. These poems will reach an audience beyond the language in which they were originally composed. Bhuyan’s poetry shows both promise and possibility.”
Dr. Bibhas Choudhury, Critic and Professor of English Literature, Gauhati University, Assam
“Kalyan Bhuyan’s poetry brilliantly combines wry humor and sharp satire, offering an incisive look at contemporary life. His verses, marked by exceptional verbal economy, distill complex emotions and keen observations into concise, impactful lines. Bhuyan navigates the quotidian and the uncanny, weaving surreal landscapes reminiscent of Salvador Dalí’s dreamscapes.”
Dr. Mridul Bordoloi, Critic and Professor of English Literature, Dibrugarh University, Assam
Review
“Dr. Kalyan Bhuyan’s The Sky over the Window is a testament to his poetic brilliance, capturing the complexity of the human experience through a range of themes and styles. The emotional depth and intellectual rigor of Bhuyan’s poetry are matched by the skilful translations of Dr. Ananda Bormudoi, who has faithfully rendered Bhuyan’s nuanced voice into a form that will resonate with readers across linguistic and cultural boundaries. Dr. Bormudoi’s translation is not merely a linguistic endeavor; it is a bridge that connects Bhuyan’s poetic world with the global literary landscape. By capturing the subtleties of Bhuyan’s language and the profundity of his themes, Dr. Bormudoi has ensured that the essence of Bhuyan’s work is preserved and appreciated by a wider audience. The translation is a celebration of literary collaboration, showcasing the power of poetry to transcend boundaries and touch the universal aspects of human experience. Dr. Ananda Bormudoi’s translation has opened a window into Bhuyan’s world of words, allowing readers to explore the richness and depth of his poetry. Together, Dr. Bhuyan and Dr. Bormudoi have created a literary work that not only reflects the contemporary human condition but also resonates with the timeless questions that define our existence.”
Dr. Mridul Bordoloi
‘Kalyan Bhuyan’s The Sky over the Window : A Review’, Poetry without Fear, Vol. III, No. 3 : Nov-Jan, 2024-25