By Ananya Guha
The name Indira always seemed ‘ pretty ‘ to me. But the pseudonym Mamoni Raisom was prettier by far. It’s ornate and figurative manner of speaking was an absolute fit into the personality of this great writer from Assam. I had first heard of her when she was a teacher in Delhi University, then followed the Jnanpith award, accolades and more accolades. In a convocation of the Indira Gandhi National Open University some five years back she was conferred with an Honorary Doctorate. I happened to be present that day in New Delhi to catch a glimpse of the icon, someone who I was reading about ( at that time she was ardently mediating between the ULFA and the Government). As she thankfully accepted her Degree and Conferment, I saw a modest and down to earth person. Her persona seemed to be imbued with a vivacious quality, her smile was gentle. The ornateness of her personality was at once captivating. She was in the midst of a galaxy of scientists, artistes and writers. I was yearning hopelessly for a talk or at least a traditional Indian Namaste. But that was not to be as she was whisked away by escorts. What an irony, in the University where I am working there could not be a ‘ hello Madam’ to this efflorescent individual. She had hopes for an intransigent group. She loved them. She was a peacemaker. Her sincere attempts to bring about this was not a fiasco. The results we can see today… it is the effort which will go down in the annals of history as a writer, a social worker and peacemaker.
I read that she studied in Shillong in a convent school. Shillong has been blessed with many writers and artists who were nurtured here. It is not inapposite that symbolically Shillong should pay a fitting tribute to her. She wrote about our town in a most picturesque and poetic manner, with unmatched lyricism in her columns. I loved to read them and reminisce about my childhood days.
May God grant her eternal peace which she represented in a most urgent and creative manner.