The last decade of the 19th century is memorable, especially for the births of three women poets whose poetic contributions enriched Asomiya literature. They are Dharmeswari Devi Baruani, Nalinibala Devi and Jamuneswari (Saikia) Khatoniar. Of them, Dharmeswari Devi was bed-ridden with rheumatism and Nalinibali Devi had to embrace premature widowhood. Though short, Jamuneswari’s conjugal life was happy.
The inexhaustible sources of inspiration and encouragement for these three poetesses were the loving husband of Dharmeswari Devi, the patriotic father of Nalinibala Devi and the loving grand-father of Jamuneswari. Jamuneswari’s grandfather Kushram Tewari was the son of Mahadev Tewari of Ayodhya, who came to Asom as a constable in 1857. Mahadev did not return to his native place after retirement. He married an Asomiya girl and settled at Golaghat. Kushram married Malati Borah of Raha. Kushram-Malati had two daughters – Gauriprabha and Dharmeswari. They were given in marriage to Bhadram Saikia and Mukta Borah respectively. The first child of Bhadram and Gauriprabha was Jamuneswari.
Jamuneswari was a self-taught lady. She passed the minor examination as a private candidate and got herself appointed as a teacher in the Mudaigaon Girls’ school of Golaghat. She began writing poems when she was about fifteen. Her poems were published in Banhi, Chetana, Alochani, Prabhat etc. Her literary endeavour was blessed by persons like Raibahadur Ghanashyam Baruah and Sarat Ch Goswami.
In 1919, Jamuneswari’s Arun was published. It consisted of twenty four poems. Jamuneswari was not married at that time. Arun was the first book of poems by an Asomiya poetess. Nalinibal Devi’s Sandhiar Sur and Dharmeswari Devi’s Phular Sarai were published about a decade later. Arun was placed at the ‘lotus feet’ of the loving grandfather – who was truly her friend, philosopher and guide-with ‘immense respect’. Kushram was much happy to have this poetic flower as a token of respect from his granddaughter Jamuna.
Ghanashyam Boruah, the first Asomiya minister, said of Arun – ‘It is hoped that this garland of poems by Srimati Jamuneswari Saikia will be accepted cordially by all. Ideas and uses of words are both praiseworthy. It is hoped, the authorities of the Education Department will consider this book for girls’ schools.’
A renowned educationist and litterateur Sarat Ch Goswami said – ‘Srimati Jamuneswari Saikia is familiar to all the lovers of Asomiya literature. She has today made obeisance to the people with some poems of her own. We all hope the blessings of the people will enhance the glory of this new poetess.
“It is needless to elaborate on the attributes of her poems. The lovers of literature are sure to discern the simple and sweet ideas and proper uses of sweet words in her poems.
“This is the first book of a female poet in Asomiya literature. It is our prayer that other educated women also, being inspired by Srimati Jamuneswari’s example, will dedicate themselves to the service of the mother tongue.”
The poetess herself said – ‘If this book can satisfy any reader the least and some girls come forward to do this deed, our toils will be rewarded.” She wrote this book “neither to earn fame as a poet, nor to earn money with it.” She said – “In our country, books by females are almost wanting; to fulfil that need to some extent, this female writer has come forward.”
After publication of Arun, Jamuneswari wrote more poems, some of which were published in Banhi, Asam Pradipika, Chetana, Alochani and in two hand-written magazines Bijoya and Basanti. In the meantime, Jamuneswari became ‘Khatoniar’, as she was married to Bhairav Chandra Khatoniar, the poet of Bajali. Jamuneswari’s poems, published and unpublished – one hundred and one in all – have been included in the Jamuneswari Khatoniaror Rachanavali, compiled and published by Dr Sobhan Ch Khatoniar, the first son of Bhairav Chandra Khatoniar. Jamuneswari died, leaving Bhairav Chandra a widower with no children. Bhairav Chandra afterwards married Jamuneswari’s sister Raseswari. Bhairav Chandra had two sons – Dr Sobhan Chandra Khatoniar and Bijoy Chandra Khatoniar by Raseswari.
Dharmeswari Devi Baruani, Nalinibala Devi and Jamuneswari Khatoniar are regarded as the trio of poetesses of the same decade. Premature widowhood changed the course of life and state of mind of Nalinibala Devi. She became a mystic. ‘Dharmeswari Devi’s life was a strange combination of physical ailment and mental peace. Her joy was always painful and pains always joyful. The loving care of her husband gave her a special kind of painful joy. After the death of her husband, it became deeper,’ wrote poet Navakanta Baruah.
The case of Jamuneswari was different. She was a lady with a mind free from all kinds of orthodox notions. Her marriage with Bhairav Chandra was the outcome of love. The time of her writing poems was a period of love-flooded youth. If she had some sort of sadness, it was perhaps like ‘love’s sad satiety’ (Shelley). According to Navakanta Baruah, Jamuneswari’s poems may be called the indistinct expression of emotions of love and investigation of life.
Besides poems, Jamuneswari used her pen in writing prose also. She wrote a book Savitri. The philosopher poet Durgeswar Sarma read it in its manuscript stage and opined – “This book is a mentionable one in our literature”. It was made ready for the press, but due to some unknown circumstances, it remained unpublished. She wrote Lakshmibai, Rani Durgawati, Raja Lear and Romeo-Juliet. But, except the last, the first three books are lost.
Jamuneswari tried her pen at story writing also. Her short story Kolongi was published in Chetona in 1923. This was her first and last short story. She died after five months since its publication. As no short story by another Asomiya female writer has been discovered till now, Jamuneswari Khatoniar may be said to be the first female short story writer in Asomiya.
In the poem Golap, she has compared man’s handsome youth with the beauty of the rose; both are transitory. Of course, the rose, though withered after maturity, lives in its fragrance. So, she would not boast of her full-grown youth; she wishes to be dutiful, to do the right thing, so that she may remain alive after death through her fame.
Jamuneswari Khatoniar died at the prime of her youth – her age was then 25 years, seven months and 16 days only. She lives now, as she desired, through her fame as the first poetess and the first female short-story writer in modern Asomiya literature.
