Provoking, thoughts only

by, Luit Pathak

Published in the Assam Tribune, April 12, 2008

Blending philosophy and science is not everyone’s cup of tea. It asks for exceptional mastery over the either craft. Saurav Kumar Chaliha– ‘His Highness’ of Assamese prose– does it with élan. He approaches philosophy via science. Perhaps here lies the secret of the magnetic pull that his style of story telling encompasses. A very different route is there too, i.e., using philosophy as a tool for reaching science. It’s rare genre of fiction, rarest for a threatened language like that of Assamese. Expectedly there is serious dearth of people who even dare to tread that intellectually s-o-o-o much demanding route. Diganta Oza, The author of Sandhikhyanat Manuh (Man at the Crossroads) deserves kudos for only making that effort, rather sincerely. When Assamese literary world is reigned by hire-a-quote intellectuals, it is 24- carat cerebral exercise. It is an intellectual odyssey into the realm of a philosophy or vice-versa through a collection of some outstanding essays. The author, a scribe by profession treads a virgin territory of thought– at least in Assam– with commendable dexterity.

What is civilization? Perhaps it is that fragment of time, which bears the stamp of humanity. What is there? War! Renaissance! Anarchy! A subtle but often defeated conscience! Distress and ravage! And then again hope and despair. It is another topic whether this cycle is vicious or otherwise.

The history of civilization is awash with instances of human follies and of course brilliance. Chain of events keep on pushing the race to the brink. A stream of conscience and may be some divine intervention rescues humanity when it reaches the crossroads. It is tough to chronicle the blues and greens of civilization. A philosophical introspection is even tougher. Mr. Oza, The author of Sandhikhyanat Manuh tries to do it with gripping narrative.

Barring a few jerks in the choice of words, the book is almost flawless. Thought flows smoothly, tinkering with the gray cells of the readers. Despite the intensity of the essays, it leaves the readers craving for more. In the hindsight, it’s a challenge for the author and readers alike.

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