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Ramnabami--natak : The Story of Ram and Nabami / Gunabhiram Barua ; translated from Assamese and with an introduction by Tilottoma Misra.

By: Contributor(s): Language: English Original language: Assamese Publication details: New Delhi ; New York : Oxford University Press, 2007.Description: lxxxvii, 72 p. ; 23 cmISBN:
  • 9780195685947
  • 0195685946
Subject(s): DDC classification:
  • 891.45124 BAR
LOC classification:
  • MLCM 2007/00157 (P) PK1569.B2986
Online resources:
Contents:
View larger Tilottoma Misra Description Gunabhiram Barua's Ramnabami-Natak, written in 1857, revolves around the tragic story of a young widow, Nabami, and her lover, Ramchandra. The first modern Assamese play on a secular theme, it presents a bold redefinition of consensual marriage while strongly advocating widow remarriage. Translated into English for the first time, Ramnabami-Natak mounts a severe critique on the moral guardians of society and makes interesting references to certain social mores and beliefs in nineteenth-century Assam. The play's historical location enables it to provide insights into the colonial encounter, including the birth of the modern subject and the emergence of print culture. In her informed introduction, Tilottoma Misra weaves a historical analysis of Assamese modernity with a specific narrative about the play, thus highlighting debates around the ‘proper sphere' of women and the plight of young widows. The introduction also dwells on crucial elements of vernacular modernity–the emergence of the print—public sphere in Assam and the discourses on Assamese language at that time.
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Item type Current library Shelving location Call number Materials specified Status Barcode
BOOKs . General Stacks 891.45124 BAR (Browse shelf(Opens below)) HB Available 36188

Play.

Includes bibliographical references (p. lxxvii-lxxxvii).

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Tilottoma Misra

Description

Gunabhiram Barua's Ramnabami-Natak, written in 1857, revolves around the tragic story of a young widow, Nabami, and her lover, Ramchandra. The first modern Assamese play on a secular theme, it presents a bold redefinition of consensual marriage while strongly advocating widow remarriage. Translated into English for the first time, Ramnabami-Natak mounts a severe critique on the moral guardians of society and makes interesting references to certain social mores and beliefs in nineteenth-century Assam. The play's historical location enables it to provide insights into the colonial encounter, including the birth of the modern subject and the emergence of print culture. In her informed introduction, Tilottoma Misra weaves a historical analysis of Assamese modernity with a specific narrative about the play, thus highlighting debates around the ‘proper sphere' of women and the plight of young widows. The introduction also dwells on crucial elements of vernacular modernity–the emergence of the print—public sphere in Assam and the discourses on Assamese language at that time.