I come from a land, where
Far and distant memories mix
Into the blue hills, stealthily
Like the lonely night
Seducing the sleeping gods
Where the night breaks
Not by the nightbird’s song
But the heavy roar
Of tired guns
Blazing into the night
Where roads stretch into
Groves of tea and saal[1]
Where woman tuck their sarees[2]
Above their blackened knees
To greet you
With the choicest slangs
The women there are beautiful
Like my mother, like her
They are fat, round, plump
Like ripe fruits pluck
To satiate the hungry gods
Lest they get angry
Where girls stare blankly
Lest you smite them
I come from a land
Where it is a sin
To allow yourself
To weave memories
Into a maze of doubt
The hills there are beautiful
The blue hills of my land
Eat the pregnant clouds
Engulfing them in the morning mist
And the water mirrors with anger
The never setting sun
I come from a land
Where fear and doubt
Live like neighbours
Their huts separated
Only by a thin, broken
Useless Bamboo fence
I come from a land
Where the raging river
Eats through my backyard
Like silly mourning women
Tearing their sparse hair
For a little compassion
[1] Saal: A type of tree found in the forests of India
[2] Saree: Traditional garment worn by Indian women
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Trauma
Where can we hide beloved?
We are the earth children
Our thoughts dig deep into the green
And roots tug at failing memories
We are the raging river
Eating through muddy yards
Like deserting soldiers
The rain is a mirage
Seeking shelter in doubt
Weaving memory and belief
Into potent mixtures
To curb your thoughts
Like barren women
Let me go back
To the parched fields
Aching for blue drops of the earth
I will flood the land
With doubt ;weave memories
Into garments of hope
With my taut hands
Let me cry beloved
The sky yearns for sleep
In my old eyes
Saturday, September 5, 2009
My poems in Kinaara: South Asian Youth Literary Magazine
Dear all, I am pleased to inform that I've been published by Kinaara: South Asian Youth Literary Magazine
I am posting the links to the poems published, as well as reproducing them on the blog for convenience.
http://kinaaramagazine.org/index.php/2009/09/anurag-rudra/
.
.
.
Haiku
An old room
Light seeps in –
Hope
.
.
.
An Untold Tale
Me and my room-mate,
Buddies,
Sometimes
Share
A moment of silence
Together
Sometimes —
When we’re not
Teasing passing women,
Making lewd remarks
Shouting ‘Ogo eto tara ki?’
What’s the rush baby? —
All the while
Conscious of being seen
And branded as rowdies, goondas —
Like to enjoy, together,
An endless moment of silence.
An endless moment of silence,
When the sound of our breaths –
Deep-bellied and mellow –
Shout out loud
Betray our senses
Like whores doing penance,
And mourn the silence
Stripped of our pretensions
Of sad civility, shame,
When the shirts hanging
In our cupboards
Struggle to cry out
And invade our moment
Like afternoon salesgirls
With kohl-coloured eyes,
And the holocaust wind
Tries desperately
To shatter the silence
Into bits.
Sometimes
The eerie silence
Can get to your nerves
And you try frantically,
Desperately,
To find a topic, suitable
To break the silence
Into bits
But otherwise
It is
The most comfortable
Moment on the earth:
The moment
When me and my room-mate,
Strangers,
Sometimes
Share
A moment of silence
Together
I am posting the links to the poems published, as well as reproducing them on the blog for convenience.
http://kinaaramagazine.org/index.php/2009/09/anurag-rudra/
.
.
.
Haiku
An old room
Light seeps in –
Hope
.
.
.
An Untold Tale
Me and my room-mate,
Buddies,
Sometimes
Share
A moment of silence
Together
Sometimes —
When we’re not
Teasing passing women,
Making lewd remarks
Shouting ‘Ogo eto tara ki?’
What’s the rush baby? —
All the while
Conscious of being seen
And branded as rowdies, goondas —
Like to enjoy, together,
An endless moment of silence.
An endless moment of silence,
When the sound of our breaths –
Deep-bellied and mellow –
Shout out loud
Betray our senses
Like whores doing penance,
And mourn the silence
Stripped of our pretensions
Of sad civility, shame,
When the shirts hanging
In our cupboards
Struggle to cry out
And invade our moment
Like afternoon salesgirls
With kohl-coloured eyes,
And the holocaust wind
Tries desperately
To shatter the silence
Into bits.
Sometimes
The eerie silence
Can get to your nerves
And you try frantically,
Desperately,
To find a topic, suitable
To break the silence
Into bits
But otherwise
It is
The most comfortable
Moment on the earth:
The moment
When me and my room-mate,
Strangers,
Sometimes
Share
A moment of silence
Together
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Two Poems Published in Kritya: A Journal of Poetry
Two of my poems have been published in Kritya: A Journal of Poetry.
The links are given for you to check out the poems. But still, I am reproducing them on the blog. Hope they'll be liked.
.
.
.
MY GRANDMOTHER
My grandmother
Eighty-springs and half-a-monsoon old
Is the strongest woman
With eyes like tender, dew
Wet grass on winter morns
Like a dark overcast sky
Eyes, liquid and placid
With untold tales
She herself knew
Her long, flowing hair
Now washed on alternate days
With shampoo and later doused
In Cantheridine
Is not as old as her
It was cut, forcibly
When two and a half summers ago
The doctor, with a constipated face
Had clicked his tongue, and predicted
The unimaginable
Her mind, once a treasure to be mined
From where she had recounted
Age old wisdom to her grandson
Of things interesting, of things unknown
Now lies looted and empty, widowed
Like herLike the middle
Of her forehead
Which she'd once adorn
With a big, red bindi
Perhaps she'd consigned
Her indulgent self, all of it
Into grandpa's pyre
My grandma, who now sits
In a permanent stupor
Is still the strongest woman
Who cannot be shaken out of her rut
Like six springs back
When she had to watch
Her younger son
Consecrated to flames
My grandma
Eighty summers and half a monsoon old
Is the strongest woman
Who is not afraid
Of the holocaust wind
That howls in deep bellied
all petty matters
Which worry, and make
Her progeny sweat
Their foreheads, dotted
With beads of sweat
As they discuss strategies
And counter strategies
To fulfill Their petty lives
While all the while
My grandma
Eighty-summers-and-half-a-monsoon-old
Sits there, in no hurry
And contemplates
The glass of water
On the table
Believe me, my grandma
Eight-summers-and-half-a-monsoon old
Is indeed the strongest woman
On earth
She is
My Hero
.
.
.
MAZE
Empty sounds
Jingle
In my hair
Buzzzing
With discontent
And
Angry words
Conspire
Hurl abuses
At my cardamom
Breath
Old bottles dance
With sober intentions
In hungry orgies
Like schizophrenic peacocks
Keeping me suspended
In the light of
A tired dawn
A forgotten tune
Flat as
My hollow thoughts
Reminds
To remind me
Of Something
I'd forgotten
Before I
Could be remined
To listen
.
I am finished
I am finished
I am finished
My Cover Story Published in The Sentinel 'Melange' , the 30th August, 2009
Showcasing Asomiya Gems To The World
“My father was my role model, with whom I shared a very deep bond. Deuta was the person who instilled in me his ideals of humility and equality, deuta was the one who inspired me to foray into this field, and contribute to the rich cultural heritage of Asom, in whatever meagre way I can... deuta was...is my hero”. So began my interview, on a nostalgic note with Lakhimi Barua Bhuyan, well known jewellery designer and proprietor of Zangfai (In Asomiya, Zangfai refers to a traditional Asomiya ear-ring) her business venture, which deals in, and aims to promote and popularise ethnic Asomiya jewellery. When asked to describe her childhood, and how the environment at home had contributed in the making of a well-known personality in the cultural-fashion circuit, Lakhimi slipped into nostalgia again and continued: “My deuta was responsible for instilling in me the ideals of self-confidence, humility, determination and above all, a zeal to work ceaselessly to achieve what I wanted in life. As a kid, I was a very homely and demure child, and was interested from the very beginning in socio-cultural activities. You can say that the environment at home was extremely stimulating and encouraging, and was responsible for invoking in me the interest to work in the socio-cultural arena”.
Lakhimi Barua Bhuyan, daughter of well-known painter and artist Pranab Barua, recounted how her father, when he was not donning the garb of the prolific painter that he was, always took keen interest in encouraging his children –– his daughter and son –– in socio-cultural activities. She described how he always backed her, encouraged her to participate in a diverse range of pursuits and interests, including theatre, dance, painting, designing, etc. It was indeed this background which influenced her to take up jewellery designing, the love for which her father had cultivated in her during her formative years. Today Lakhimi Barua Bhuyan and her business enterprise Zangfai have become household names as far as ethnic and traditional Asomiya jewellery is concerned. She has indeed made a name for herself in designing and experimenting with traditional forms of jewellery, modifying them and innovating new designs to suit the tastes and preferences of the present day patrons. What she has achieved in the context of jewellery designing, an area of excellence you do not get to hear about every day, and that too, traditional Asomiya jewellery, is indeed remarkable. As she says, “My customers are drawn from all walks of life, with varying tastes. While youngsters and students prefer to go for those pieces which are a bit ‘modern’ and which they can pair up with their daily attire, others such as housewives or ladies generally seek the traditional, gorgeous pieces which they would prefer to present someone with, or maybe use themselves. Then once in a while, you also find people buying an extravagant piece of ethnic jewellery, sometimes with the intention of passing it down in the family. It’s a wonderful experience”.
Though born in Shillong, Lakhimi Barua Bhuyan grew up in Nagaon in a home which was always bustling with activity and humdrum. “Our house used to be filled with people all the time. I remember how deuta would interact with everyone politely and with a great deal of interest and warmth. Someone would drop in to show a poem that he’d written, someone to ask for a helping hand while others would stop by just to have a chat with deuta. This stimulating atmosphere at home greatly enhanced my interest in cultural matters and I developed a great love for the arts”. After passing her matriculation from Nagaon Mission Girls’ School, she graduated from Nagaon Girls’ College. Throughout her school and college life, Lakhimi Barua Bhuyan has been a keen participant in socio-cultural activities and cultivated a great deal of interest in the various creative avenues and scopes that were available to her. She also noted how she was a particularly observant child, one with a critical bent of mind, always pondering over the questions which were taxing the minds of others of her age. She narrated a particular incident that she vividly remembers: “Once, I came back from school and asked deuta about the Hindu-Muslim question that was the topic of discussion almost everywhere you turned your ear to. Deuta just looked at me, in his usual self, smiled and replied: ‘There is nothing called Hindu and Muslim...you are known for what you are, what you believe in, what you do and what you seek from your actions, your life’. I have held on to this piece of wisdom ever since”.
Her father was the person who basically inspired her to contribute and work in this sector. Back then, though she was interested in jewellery designing and working with traditional ethnic Asomiya jewellery, her first brush with serious work in this arena came after her father’s demise in February, 1992. “Prior to that I was of course interested in jewellery designing and its allied fields, no doubt about that...but it was after Deuta's demise that I seriously gave a serious thought to the matter and it was then that I decided to take the plunge. My friends and family always encouraged me, always made me take pride in my qualities and talents, but then, I didn’t take much notice of these compliments. It was only after deuta’s demise that I decided to carry out what deuta had ordained for me. Deuta always believed that each and every person was endowed with a gift. What he was required to do was to take notice, polish it, harness its potential and calibre and contribute to society, to culture in whatever way possible to him or her. I thought that it would be the best way to show my love for my beloved Deuta by following his vision and making his wishes, his dreams a reality.” Barely some time had passed after the unfortunate debacle, and Lakhimi Barua Bhuyan had already decided to take the plunge. Two months after the unfortunate demise of Pranab Barua, his resilient daughter Lakhimi had started to lend wings to her dreams. It was April, and she had already ventured on her eventful journey with Zangfai, a name which has by now become synonymous with modern-ethnic Asomiya jewellery. “My mother, Aroti Barua is a very practical lady, endowed with great foresight and wisdom. She firmly believes in what my Deuta would always say about being self-dependent. It was she who helped me set up the business. In the initial period, I started my operations from home, mainly among my friends, relations and acquaintances. It was in course of time that I made it a full-fledged affair and made it the name that it is today,” she said with a quiet smile when I grilled her about how the idea of promoting ethnic jewellery on a commercial basis materialised.
After giving the kick-start to her dream that it required, Lakhimi Barua Bhuyan, then Lakhimi Barua, tied the knot. In December that year, she got married to Joydeep Bhuyan, son of Dr. Manish Ch Bhuyan, who incidentally happens to be the first heart specialist from Asom. Speaking of her new life in her in-laws home, the new atmosphere and her subtle anxiety, she smiled and said: “I felt at home instantly. There was a lot of warmth in my new home. I took to it as a little bird to the wide, blue sky. My in-laws were very loving, cooperative and encouraging. Had it not been for them, I would not have been able to work wholeheartedly to fulfil my, nay, our dream. I am grateful for the love and the trust that they have showered on me all these years”. Speaking of her in-laws she said: “My mother-in-law shouldered great responsibilities to enable me to devote my full time in my venture. She was the one who took care of the kids, nursing them, nurturing them and bringing them up. My father-in-law made me believe in myself, and encouraged and supported me throughout this long journey”. And what about her husband? “Ohh! What can I say about him? He is a magnificent person, a gem of a person to say the truth... and he is devoid of all vices. My husband has supported and encouraged me in my endeavour with untiring love and faith. Even though he is not exactly very much into the artsy stuff, he has supported me keenly and I am proud to share my beautiful life with him.” They are blessed with two daughters –– Annanya and Akangsha, who are still in school. So how does she divide her time, entertaining her family as the loving mother and wife, and her gruelling schedule as an entrepreneur-designer? “Well, I don’t know really. I guess you have to adjust yourself to the need of the hour. And as far as I am concerned, I remain engaged with my business from 10:30 in the morning to 7:30 in the evening....when I’m not working, I try to entertain my family, to spend some quality time with them. I guess it’s all a part of my life.”
Coming back to business, she narrated how she kicked off her business venture, working day in and day out to take it to the level which it has achieved today. Indeed, it’s the culmination of determination and a gruelling zeal to transform one’s dreams beyond the virtual and imaginary plane, a task which very few of us manage to accomplish. “After starting my business, I got a warm response from my family, friends and well-wishers. Everyone was very enthusiastic and optimistic about my initiative...I got the pat in the back which I needed to take my dream further. Following the positive feedback which I received over a period of five years following the initiation of the business, I began to develop a better idea of the market for traditional Asomiya Jewellery. I became aware of the different strata of customers, from college goers to ladies and housewives, I began to develop a greater grasp, understanding their needs, what they came looking for, what they wanted. You know, it was a very enriching experience, getting to know so many people who shared your enthusiasm, who gave you their feedback, telling you what they wanted to see the next time they visited. Finally, I developed a clear perception of the market forces at play, and a definite picture of the different categories of patrons to whom I had to cater. Following this mindset, I basically divided my entire range into four parts to suit the needs and tastes of my customers. This was a decisive factor as it allowed me to showcase my entire range in terms of varying budgets, tastes, preferences etc...this made my work a lot easier”.
Lakhimi also believes in keeping warm, personal relations with her customers, beyond the scope of sales and purchases, trying to make them comfortable, ever-ready to receive their feedback and trying to cater to the needs of her customers. It’s something that has to be inculcated and followed, if one desires to make a name for oneself in the concerned trade. “See, as I said earlier, meeting people, listening to their feedback has always been a thrilling and I must add, a very enriching experience. It gives you the impetus to painstakingly strive to deliver. Personally, I ask all my customers not only to come and buy, but to visit again and again, tell me what they want to see on the shelves, what they would like to wear...and also tell me frankly what they don’t like. It’s a wonderful experience!” Her brainchild Zangfai, her business venture has indeed come a long way from its humble origins in her home to its present-day showroom situated at MRD Road, Silpukhuri, Guwahati. And when I say ‘long way’, I just don’t mean the commercial side. All these years she has seen the changes and shifts in customer tastes and preferences from heavy, traditional, ethnic jewellery to chic and cool ethnic stuff that is in vogue. She has held a number of exhibitions in different places, including one in NEDFI Haat a few years back. "In all these years, I have seen and understood the changes in tastes and demands. You know, different types of customers seek different types of jewellery and consequently, you end up having a huge array of items so unique in themselves, but still endowed with the traditional, ethnic touch.”
And speaking of culture and the present times, she chipped in enthusiastically: “Culture, I believe is something, you unconsciously, involuntarily carry around. Culture is manifested in your psyche, your subconscious. And I believe that being modern does not derive from doing, wearing the things which are ‘in’ and ‘out’. Culture is beyond the scope and influence of trends and crazes. Of course, culture has to move ahead with the times, it has to evolve...this applies to fashion, literature and yes, jewellery as well. I believe that being ‘modern’ comes from being able to carry in one’s personality one’s cultural legacy and the present times...simultaneously. Tradition and change go hand in hand, isn’t it?” I nod frantically, confused, thoughtful, true to my confused college-going self. And what about future plans? “Well, I plan to expand my business in the years to come, hope to enjoy the same response and warmth which I enjoyed all these years. You know, there came a stage when the demand for ethnic jewellery shrank a lot, forcing craftsmen to give up their pursuits temporarily. But thankfully, that’s history and nowadays the market is booming. We have got warm response not only from the Asomiya community, but also the non-Asomiya patrons and even NRI’s who wish to showcase the cultural heritage of Asom abroad. In a way, you can say that I have got a mission to promote the diverse and rich cultural heritage of Asom. I would just like to convey the message that whatever sills you have, you must use it to contribute to society, to culture… but contribute in our own backyard first. We’ve got a lot of talented people over here, if everyone does that, we can work wonders.”
The air is chilly outside, and the evening birds retreat to their cosy nests. The air is heavy with the smell of sweet rain. It’s time I wind up and leave Lakhimi baideu alone, to contine her mission to promote and showcase the rich heritage of Asom through her one-of-a-kind endeavour.
Anurag Rudra
“My father was my role model, with whom I shared a very deep bond. Deuta was the person who instilled in me his ideals of humility and equality, deuta was the one who inspired me to foray into this field, and contribute to the rich cultural heritage of Asom, in whatever meagre way I can... deuta was...is my hero”. So began my interview, on a nostalgic note with Lakhimi Barua Bhuyan, well known jewellery designer and proprietor of Zangfai (In Asomiya, Zangfai refers to a traditional Asomiya ear-ring) her business venture, which deals in, and aims to promote and popularise ethnic Asomiya jewellery. When asked to describe her childhood, and how the environment at home had contributed in the making of a well-known personality in the cultural-fashion circuit, Lakhimi slipped into nostalgia again and continued: “My deuta was responsible for instilling in me the ideals of self-confidence, humility, determination and above all, a zeal to work ceaselessly to achieve what I wanted in life. As a kid, I was a very homely and demure child, and was interested from the very beginning in socio-cultural activities. You can say that the environment at home was extremely stimulating and encouraging, and was responsible for invoking in me the interest to work in the socio-cultural arena”.
Lakhimi Barua Bhuyan, daughter of well-known painter and artist Pranab Barua, recounted how her father, when he was not donning the garb of the prolific painter that he was, always took keen interest in encouraging his children –– his daughter and son –– in socio-cultural activities. She described how he always backed her, encouraged her to participate in a diverse range of pursuits and interests, including theatre, dance, painting, designing, etc. It was indeed this background which influenced her to take up jewellery designing, the love for which her father had cultivated in her during her formative years. Today Lakhimi Barua Bhuyan and her business enterprise Zangfai have become household names as far as ethnic and traditional Asomiya jewellery is concerned. She has indeed made a name for herself in designing and experimenting with traditional forms of jewellery, modifying them and innovating new designs to suit the tastes and preferences of the present day patrons. What she has achieved in the context of jewellery designing, an area of excellence you do not get to hear about every day, and that too, traditional Asomiya jewellery, is indeed remarkable. As she says, “My customers are drawn from all walks of life, with varying tastes. While youngsters and students prefer to go for those pieces which are a bit ‘modern’ and which they can pair up with their daily attire, others such as housewives or ladies generally seek the traditional, gorgeous pieces which they would prefer to present someone with, or maybe use themselves. Then once in a while, you also find people buying an extravagant piece of ethnic jewellery, sometimes with the intention of passing it down in the family. It’s a wonderful experience”.
Though born in Shillong, Lakhimi Barua Bhuyan grew up in Nagaon in a home which was always bustling with activity and humdrum. “Our house used to be filled with people all the time. I remember how deuta would interact with everyone politely and with a great deal of interest and warmth. Someone would drop in to show a poem that he’d written, someone to ask for a helping hand while others would stop by just to have a chat with deuta. This stimulating atmosphere at home greatly enhanced my interest in cultural matters and I developed a great love for the arts”. After passing her matriculation from Nagaon Mission Girls’ School, she graduated from Nagaon Girls’ College. Throughout her school and college life, Lakhimi Barua Bhuyan has been a keen participant in socio-cultural activities and cultivated a great deal of interest in the various creative avenues and scopes that were available to her. She also noted how she was a particularly observant child, one with a critical bent of mind, always pondering over the questions which were taxing the minds of others of her age. She narrated a particular incident that she vividly remembers: “Once, I came back from school and asked deuta about the Hindu-Muslim question that was the topic of discussion almost everywhere you turned your ear to. Deuta just looked at me, in his usual self, smiled and replied: ‘There is nothing called Hindu and Muslim...you are known for what you are, what you believe in, what you do and what you seek from your actions, your life’. I have held on to this piece of wisdom ever since”.
Her father was the person who basically inspired her to contribute and work in this sector. Back then, though she was interested in jewellery designing and working with traditional ethnic Asomiya jewellery, her first brush with serious work in this arena came after her father’s demise in February, 1992. “Prior to that I was of course interested in jewellery designing and its allied fields, no doubt about that...but it was after Deuta's demise that I seriously gave a serious thought to the matter and it was then that I decided to take the plunge. My friends and family always encouraged me, always made me take pride in my qualities and talents, but then, I didn’t take much notice of these compliments. It was only after deuta’s demise that I decided to carry out what deuta had ordained for me. Deuta always believed that each and every person was endowed with a gift. What he was required to do was to take notice, polish it, harness its potential and calibre and contribute to society, to culture in whatever way possible to him or her. I thought that it would be the best way to show my love for my beloved Deuta by following his vision and making his wishes, his dreams a reality.” Barely some time had passed after the unfortunate debacle, and Lakhimi Barua Bhuyan had already decided to take the plunge. Two months after the unfortunate demise of Pranab Barua, his resilient daughter Lakhimi had started to lend wings to her dreams. It was April, and she had already ventured on her eventful journey with Zangfai, a name which has by now become synonymous with modern-ethnic Asomiya jewellery. “My mother, Aroti Barua is a very practical lady, endowed with great foresight and wisdom. She firmly believes in what my Deuta would always say about being self-dependent. It was she who helped me set up the business. In the initial period, I started my operations from home, mainly among my friends, relations and acquaintances. It was in course of time that I made it a full-fledged affair and made it the name that it is today,” she said with a quiet smile when I grilled her about how the idea of promoting ethnic jewellery on a commercial basis materialised.
After giving the kick-start to her dream that it required, Lakhimi Barua Bhuyan, then Lakhimi Barua, tied the knot. In December that year, she got married to Joydeep Bhuyan, son of Dr. Manish Ch Bhuyan, who incidentally happens to be the first heart specialist from Asom. Speaking of her new life in her in-laws home, the new atmosphere and her subtle anxiety, she smiled and said: “I felt at home instantly. There was a lot of warmth in my new home. I took to it as a little bird to the wide, blue sky. My in-laws were very loving, cooperative and encouraging. Had it not been for them, I would not have been able to work wholeheartedly to fulfil my, nay, our dream. I am grateful for the love and the trust that they have showered on me all these years”. Speaking of her in-laws she said: “My mother-in-law shouldered great responsibilities to enable me to devote my full time in my venture. She was the one who took care of the kids, nursing them, nurturing them and bringing them up. My father-in-law made me believe in myself, and encouraged and supported me throughout this long journey”. And what about her husband? “Ohh! What can I say about him? He is a magnificent person, a gem of a person to say the truth... and he is devoid of all vices. My husband has supported and encouraged me in my endeavour with untiring love and faith. Even though he is not exactly very much into the artsy stuff, he has supported me keenly and I am proud to share my beautiful life with him.” They are blessed with two daughters –– Annanya and Akangsha, who are still in school. So how does she divide her time, entertaining her family as the loving mother and wife, and her gruelling schedule as an entrepreneur-designer? “Well, I don’t know really. I guess you have to adjust yourself to the need of the hour. And as far as I am concerned, I remain engaged with my business from 10:30 in the morning to 7:30 in the evening....when I’m not working, I try to entertain my family, to spend some quality time with them. I guess it’s all a part of my life.”
Coming back to business, she narrated how she kicked off her business venture, working day in and day out to take it to the level which it has achieved today. Indeed, it’s the culmination of determination and a gruelling zeal to transform one’s dreams beyond the virtual and imaginary plane, a task which very few of us manage to accomplish. “After starting my business, I got a warm response from my family, friends and well-wishers. Everyone was very enthusiastic and optimistic about my initiative...I got the pat in the back which I needed to take my dream further. Following the positive feedback which I received over a period of five years following the initiation of the business, I began to develop a better idea of the market for traditional Asomiya Jewellery. I became aware of the different strata of customers, from college goers to ladies and housewives, I began to develop a greater grasp, understanding their needs, what they came looking for, what they wanted. You know, it was a very enriching experience, getting to know so many people who shared your enthusiasm, who gave you their feedback, telling you what they wanted to see the next time they visited. Finally, I developed a clear perception of the market forces at play, and a definite picture of the different categories of patrons to whom I had to cater. Following this mindset, I basically divided my entire range into four parts to suit the needs and tastes of my customers. This was a decisive factor as it allowed me to showcase my entire range in terms of varying budgets, tastes, preferences etc...this made my work a lot easier”.
Lakhimi also believes in keeping warm, personal relations with her customers, beyond the scope of sales and purchases, trying to make them comfortable, ever-ready to receive their feedback and trying to cater to the needs of her customers. It’s something that has to be inculcated and followed, if one desires to make a name for oneself in the concerned trade. “See, as I said earlier, meeting people, listening to their feedback has always been a thrilling and I must add, a very enriching experience. It gives you the impetus to painstakingly strive to deliver. Personally, I ask all my customers not only to come and buy, but to visit again and again, tell me what they want to see on the shelves, what they would like to wear...and also tell me frankly what they don’t like. It’s a wonderful experience!” Her brainchild Zangfai, her business venture has indeed come a long way from its humble origins in her home to its present-day showroom situated at MRD Road, Silpukhuri, Guwahati. And when I say ‘long way’, I just don’t mean the commercial side. All these years she has seen the changes and shifts in customer tastes and preferences from heavy, traditional, ethnic jewellery to chic and cool ethnic stuff that is in vogue. She has held a number of exhibitions in different places, including one in NEDFI Haat a few years back. "In all these years, I have seen and understood the changes in tastes and demands. You know, different types of customers seek different types of jewellery and consequently, you end up having a huge array of items so unique in themselves, but still endowed with the traditional, ethnic touch.”
And speaking of culture and the present times, she chipped in enthusiastically: “Culture, I believe is something, you unconsciously, involuntarily carry around. Culture is manifested in your psyche, your subconscious. And I believe that being modern does not derive from doing, wearing the things which are ‘in’ and ‘out’. Culture is beyond the scope and influence of trends and crazes. Of course, culture has to move ahead with the times, it has to evolve...this applies to fashion, literature and yes, jewellery as well. I believe that being ‘modern’ comes from being able to carry in one’s personality one’s cultural legacy and the present times...simultaneously. Tradition and change go hand in hand, isn’t it?” I nod frantically, confused, thoughtful, true to my confused college-going self. And what about future plans? “Well, I plan to expand my business in the years to come, hope to enjoy the same response and warmth which I enjoyed all these years. You know, there came a stage when the demand for ethnic jewellery shrank a lot, forcing craftsmen to give up their pursuits temporarily. But thankfully, that’s history and nowadays the market is booming. We have got warm response not only from the Asomiya community, but also the non-Asomiya patrons and even NRI’s who wish to showcase the cultural heritage of Asom abroad. In a way, you can say that I have got a mission to promote the diverse and rich cultural heritage of Asom. I would just like to convey the message that whatever sills you have, you must use it to contribute to society, to culture… but contribute in our own backyard first. We’ve got a lot of talented people over here, if everyone does that, we can work wonders.”
The air is chilly outside, and the evening birds retreat to their cosy nests. The air is heavy with the smell of sweet rain. It’s time I wind up and leave Lakhimi baideu alone, to contine her mission to promote and showcase the rich heritage of Asom through her one-of-a-kind endeavour.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Shoelace Love
Hungry Strings hug my heavy feet
White Toe Nail, Love
Tinkling with
Hysterical grunts, Muted screams
God plummeting down
My blue-eyed love
My Blue Eyed Love
Who sits at the edge
Of a broken chair
Absorbs my glance
In her blue, green eyes
To taste it later
My blue eyed love
Hanging in smells
Of whitewashed rooms
And cheap disinfectant
Speaks the language
Of whore love
Where her words
Play with mine
And make love
On distant trees
White Toe Nail, Love
Tinkling with
Hysterical grunts, Muted screams
God plummeting down
My blue-eyed love
My Blue Eyed Love
Who sits at the edge
Of a broken chair
Absorbs my glance
In her blue, green eyes
To taste it later
My blue eyed love
Hanging in smells
Of whitewashed rooms
And cheap disinfectant
Speaks the language
Of whore love
Where her words
Play with mine
And make love
On distant trees
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Legacy
Defeated ghosts
Knock on
Rubberwood doors
Sniffing
The warm air
Of many children
And stagnating youth
Mingling
In one great
Remnant
Of what was once
Family
Knock on
Rubberwood doors
Sniffing
The warm air
Of many children
And stagnating youth
Mingling
In one great
Remnant
Of what was once
Family
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