The Heavenly Sky
By Farida Ahmed, Translated by Ananda Bormudoi
A collection poems originally written in Assamese.
2023, PWF, HB, Price Rs 175.00, ISBN 978-81-975772-8-4
About the Author
Dr. Farida Ahmed was formerly the Head of the Department of Anthropology, Dibrugarh University. Her area of interest is Biological Variation in Man. Of late she takes interest in writing poems. Her first collection of poems titled Ubhoti Jabor Mon was published in 2023 and the poems have attracted the attention of the readers. Her poems have also been published in different leading Assamese Magazines and newspapers. She also writes fiction.
About the Translator
Dr. Ananda Bormudoi is a literary critic and translator. 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
“I have noticed two novelties in Farida Ahmed’s poetry — one is the past she has left behind and the other is the poetic style. Her conversational style is free from all inhibitions. It is a dialogue with herself in which the owner of the speaking voice is also the listener… I am happy to discover a new poet in Farida Ahmed. Poetry does not have any single definition. No definition can encompass the unalloyed feelings and emotions of a heart. We forget our play but the tears of separation have an abiding impact. Past is the abode of all sensitive men.”
Dr. Nagen Saikia, Sahitya Akademi Award Winner Author
“A nostalgic poet encounters a reader in Dr. Farida Ahmed’s The Heavenly Sky. Her life is her statement and her experience is the base. In the unornamental simple language of her poems there is no poetic stunt but there is a deep seriousness. There lies the attraction. The poems are invested with a tenderness by half articulated tragic strains and a helplessness. A late starter in the poetic world, Farida Ahmed has found in poetry peace and fulfillment. A reader feels that poetry has given her mental company.”
Dr. Karabi Deka Hazarika, Poet, Critic and Former Bezbaroa Chair Professor of Dibrugarh University, Assam