Department of English

Title of the paper

Assamese story telling tradition, and
exploration of “Burhi Aair Xadhu”

Presented to:
Presented by: Assistant Prof.
Ankit Kumar Bora Sukanya Kashyap
2022/MEN/0051 Pramasha Saikia
Mayuri pathak
Dept. of English
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude and acknowledge the support

and guidance, I have received during the presentation on “Burhi Aair
Xadhu”.

As a student, I am sincerely thankful for the opportunities and assistance

provided to me throughout this endeavor.
 Contents
 An introduction about “Burhi aair xadhu”

 About the Author

 Story telling tradition

 Themes

 Conclusion
An introduction about Burhi aair xadhu
 Burhi Aair Xadhu is a popular Assamese
short story book written by
Lakhsminath Bezbaruah, it was
published in the year of 1911.

 Burhi Aair Xadhu is not only the most

popular collections of tales for children
but also has a very significant role to
play in shaping their personality and
moral character.

 The book Burhi Aair Xadhu was

translated to English as Grandma’s
Tales by Deepika Phukan
 About the author
 Lakhsminath Bezbaruah was an
Assamese poet, novelist and playwright
of modern Assamese Literature.
 He was one of the literary stalwarts of
jonaki era, The age of romanticism in
Assamese literature.
 Lakshminath Bezbaruah was born in
1864, 14th oct and died in 1938, 26th
march, at the age of 69.
 Lakhsminath Bezbaruah was honored by
a unique Title on 29th dec, 1931, as
‘’Roxoraj’’ by Assamese sahitya sabha.
He is also known as Sahityarathi in the
Assamese literary society.
 Story telling tradition
 Story telling is a centuries old art.
Every society and every nation in the
globe engaged in this practice.

 So, In basic, we can see the

grandparents use to tell such stories to
their grandchild's, to gave them
moral.

 Growing up, I realized, some of these

stories mostly helped us to put back
in our natural form and we imagined
if it can happen in stories then it can
happen in real life as well.
 For example
 When we heard stories
about ‘’Burha Dangoria’’
and how he used to protect
the ‘’Bhagavad gita’’ in
every namghar made us
realize that if we don’t go
there then Burha Dangoria
might came looking for us.
 Themes

 These stories often explore concepts of virtue, honesty, courage, and

compassion, encouraging readers to embrace positive values and behaviors.
 Assamese folk tales frequently showcase cultural traditions, rituals, and
beliefs of the region. They may reflect aspects of daily life, festivals,
marriage customs, agricultural practices, and other cultural nuances.
 Folk tales can be a medium to address social issues and offer commentary
on societal norms and values. They may shed light on topics such as caste,
gender roles, inequality, and justice, providing a platform for reflection and
discussion.
 The tales often take place in rural or village settings, reflecting the lifestyle,
customs, and traditions of the Assam. The characters may be common folk,
mythical beings, animals, or a combination of these.
 Conclusion
“ Burhi Aair Xadhu’’ by Lakhsminath Bezbaruah stands as remarkable
collection of Assamese folk tales, revered for its preservation of cultural
heritage and rich storytelling traditions. The compilation showcases a
tapestry of theme, characters, and narratives that capture the essence of
Assamese folklore. Through ‘’Burhi Aair Xadhu’’ readers are transported to
the vibrant world of Assam, where oral traditions come alive through the
written word .

Moreover, “Burhi Aair Xadhu” showcases the interconnectedness of

humans with nature, the enduring power of folklore and mythology, and the
celebration of heroism and resilience. It pays homage to the wisdom of
ancestors, fosters a sense of identity and belonging ,and offers valuable
insights into the Assamese way of life.
Bibliography
Primary sources:
Burhi Aair xadhu Lakshminath, Banlata Prakashan publication

Secondary sources:
1. www.abebooks.com
2. chatgpt.com
Thank you