SaifurRahaman at 22:04, 30 April 2026

2026-04-30T22:04:39Z

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{{Short description|Assamese folklore collection}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2019}}
{{Infobox book
| name = Burhi Aair Sadhu <br> বুঢ়ী আইৰ সাধু
| image =
| author = [[Lakshminath Bezbaruah]]
| country = [[Assam]], India
| language = [[Assamese language|Assamese]]
| genre = Story book
| publisher = Banlata Prakashan<ref name="Prakashan">{{cite web | url=http://www.banalata.in/book/burhi-aair-sadhu | title=Prakashan | accessdate=13 July 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304031857/http://www.banalata.in/book/burhi-aair-sadhu | archive-date=4 March 2016 | url-status=dead }}</ref>
| pub_date = 1911
| media_type = Printed
| title_orig = বুঢ়ী আইৰ সাধু
| orig_lang_code = as
| isbn = 81-7339-215-3
| isbn_note = <ref name="Prakashan" />
| native_wikisource = https://as.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%A2%E0%A6%BC%E0%A7%80_%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%87%E0%A7%B0_%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A7%E0%A7%81
}}
'''''Burhi Aair Sadhu''''' or '''''Burhi Aai'r Xaadhu''''' ({{langx|as|বুঢ়ী আইৰ সাধু}}, literally translated to ''Grand Mother's Tales'') is a collection of stories or [[folklore]], that have been compiled by famous Assamese author and poet [[Lakshminath Bezbaruah]].<ref>{{cite web|author=mariette |url=http://marietterobbes.wordpress.com/2013/03/06/resources-on-the-history-of-assamese-childrens-literature/ |title=Resources on the history of Assamese children's literature | A small journey into Indian Publishing for Children |publisher=Marietterobbes.wordpress.com |date=6 March 2013 |accessdate=2013-03-15}}</ref> It is one of the most popular texts in [[Assamese literature]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.museindia.com/viewarticle.asp?myr=2008&issid=17&id=917 |title=Welcome to Muse India |publisher=Museindia.com |accessdate=2013-03-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140718153210/http://www.museindia.com/viewarticle.asp?myr=2008&issid=17&id=917 |archive-date=18 July 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> This book was first published in October–November 1911.<ref name="yahoo1">{{cite web|url=http://in.news.yahoo.com/burhi-aai-cast-her-spell-listeners-220139316.html |title=Burhi Aai to cast her spell on listeners — Yahoo! News India |publisher=In.news.yahoo.com |date=28 September 2012 |accessdate=2013-03-15}}</ref> After the first publication 100 years<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kishys.com/news/news-20111221-15507-Burhi_Aair_Sadhu_undergoes_revision_Assam_Tribune.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130411084559/http://www.kishys.com/news/news-20111221-15507-Burhi_Aair_Sadhu_undergoes_revision_Assam_Tribune.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-04-11 |title=Burhi Aair Sadhu undergoes revision Assam Tribune |publisher=Kishys.com |accessdate=2013-03-15 }}</ref> have been passed and countless editions of the book have been published. This book is in now in the public domain as per [[copyright law of India]].

==Book description==
Some of the 30 folklores included in the book were his own. The preface itself was a brilliant narration regarding genesis, movement and importance of folklores in different societies and communities of the world. Some of the stories are ''Bandor aaru Xial'', ''Dhowa Kauri aru Tiposi Sorai'', ''Budhiyak Xial'', ''Gongatop'', ''Tejimola'', ''Xorobjan'' and ''Burha Burhi''.

===List of stories===
The following list includes the titles of the stories in the original Assamese (sometimes with an alternate spelling) and their respective English translations.

# Bandor aru Xial<ref>[https://www.assamesemedium.in/2020/12/assamese-story-bandor-aru-hiyal-hadhu.html বান্দৰ আৰু শিয়াল] (in Assamese)</ref> - The Monkey and the Fox<ref>{{cite book |title=Folk Tales of Assam |first=J. |last=Barua |location=Gauhati, Assam |publisher=Lawyer's Book Stall |date=1954 |orig-year=1915 |page=8}}</ref>
# Dhura Kauri aru Tiposi Sorai - The Jungle Crow and the Wren;<ref>{{cite book |title=Folk Tales of Assam |first=J. |last=Barua |location=Gauhati, Assam |publisher=Lawyer's Book Stall |date=1954 |orig-year=1915 |page=20}}</ref> The Raven and the Wren<ref>{{harvnb|Bez Baroa|2023|pp=46-48}}</ref>
# Mekurir Jiyekor Xadhu - The Tale of the Cat's Daughter;<ref>{{cite book |title=Folk Tales of Assam |first=J. |last=Barua |location=Gauhati, Assam |publisher=Lawyer's Book Stall |date=1954 |orig-year=1915 |page=1}}</ref> The tale of the cat's daughters<ref>{{harvnb|Bezbaroa|2011|pp=1-5}}</ref>
# Dighalthengia - The Long-Legged One<ref>{{cite book |title=Folk Tales of Assam |first=J. |last=Barua |location=Gauhati, Assam |publisher=Lawyer's Book Stall |date=1954 |orig-year=1915 |page=67}}</ref>
# Budhiyok Xial - The Tale of a Cunning Fox<ref>{{cite book |title=Folk Tales of Assam |first=J. |last=Barua |location=Gauhati, Assam |publisher=Lawyer's Book Stall |date=1954 |orig-year=1915 |page=29}}</ref>
# Bagh aru Kekura (Bagh Aru Kekorar Sadhu)<ref>{{harvnb|Bez Baroa|2023|pp=55-62}}</ref> - The Tale of the Tiger and the Crab<ref>{{cite book |title=Folk Tales of Assam |first=J. |last=Barua |location=Gauhati, Assam |publisher=Lawyer's Book Stall |date=1954 |orig-year=1915 |page=37}}</ref>
# {{ill|Tejimola|as|তেজীমলা}}<ref>{{cite book |title=Folk Tales of Assam |first=J. |last=Barua |location=Gauhati, Assam |publisher=Lawyer's Book Stall |date=1954 |orig-year=1915 |page=51}}</ref>
# Burha-Buri aru Xial - The Old Man, the Old Woman and the Fox<ref>{{cite book |title=Folk Tales of Assam |first=J. |last=Barua |location=Gauhati, Assam |publisher=Lawyer's Book Stall |date=1954 |orig-year=1915 |page=62}}</ref>
# Gangatup - The Globefish or Gangatope;<ref>{{cite book |title=Folk Tales of Assam |first=J. |last=Barua |location=Gauhati, Assam |publisher=Lawyer's Book Stall |date=1954 |orig-year=1915 |page=82}}</ref> Gongatoup<ref>{{harvnb|Bezbaroa|2011|pp=49-52}}</ref>
# Xorobjan (Sarabjan)<ref>{{harvnb|Bez Baroa|2023|pp=81-85}}</ref> - The All-Knowing One<ref>{{cite book |title=Folk Tales of Assam |first=J. |last=Barua |location=Gauhati, Assam |publisher=Lawyer's Book Stall |date=1954 |orig-year=1915 |page=84}}</ref>
# Silonir Jiyekor Xadhu - The Tale of the Kite's Daughter<ref>{{cite book |title=Folk Tales of Assam |first=J. |last=Barua |location=Gauhati, Assam |publisher=Lawyer's Book Stall |date=1954 |orig-year=1915 |page=103}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Bezbaroa|2011|pp=66-73}}</ref>
# Eta Boli Manuh (Ata Bolee Manuh)<ref>{{harvnb|Bez Baroa|2023|pp=88-90}}</ref> - The Tale of a Strong Man<ref>{{cite book |title=Folk Tales of Assam |first=J. |last=Barua |location=Gauhati, Assam |publisher=Lawyer's Book Stall |date=1954 |orig-year=1915 |page=98}}</ref>
# Kukurikona (Kukurikana) - Purblind<ref>{{harvnb|Bez Baroa|2023|pp=135-138}}</ref>
# {{ill|Tula aru Teja|as|তুলা আৰু তেজা}} - Toola and Teja;<ref>{{cite book |title=Folk Tales of Assam |first=J. |last=Barua |location=Gauhati, Assam |publisher=Lawyer's Book Stall |date=1954 |orig-year=1915 |page=117}}</ref> Tula and Teja<ref>{{harvnb|Bezbaroa|2011|pp=74-85}}</ref>
# Kotajuwa Naak Kharoni di Dhak (Kata Jowa nak Kharani di dhak) - Chopped off nose, Cover it with Alkali<ref>{{harvnb|Bez Baroa|2023|pp=128-131}}</ref>
# Bhekulir Xadhu - The Story of a Frog<ref>{{harvnb|Bez Baroa|2023|pp=150-152}}</ref>
# Tawoiekor Xadhu (Tawoir Sadhu) - The tale of the father's best friend<ref>{{harvnb|Bez Baroa|2023|pp=125-127}}</ref>
# Lotkon (Latkan)<ref>{{harvnb|Bez Baroa|2023|pp=139-142}}</ref>
# Lokhimi Tiruta (Lakhimi Tirota) - The Woman with a Midas Touch<ref>{{harvnb|Bez Baroa|2023|pp=122-124}}</ref>
# Dui Budhiyok - Two Cunning Fellows<ref>{{harvnb|Bez Baroa|2023|pp=111-114}}</ref>
# Kanchani<ref>{{harvnb|Bez Baroa|2023|pp=115-121}}</ref>
# {{ill|Ou Kuwori|as|ঔ-কুঁৱৰী}}<ref>[https://www.assamesemedium.in/2020/12/assamese-story-o-konwari-hadhu-assamese.html ঔ-কুঁৱৰী] (in Assamese)</ref> (Ow Kooanri)<ref>{{harvnb|Bez Baroa|2023|pp=43-45}}</ref> - The [[Dillenia indica|Ow]]-Princess;<ref>{{cite book |title=Folk Tales of Assam |first=J. |last=Barua |location=Gauhati, Assam |publisher=Lawyer's Book Stall |date=1954 |orig-year=1915 |page=15}}</ref> Ou-princess;<ref>{{harvnb|Bezbaroa|2011|pp=9-11}}</ref> Elephant-Fruit Princess<ref>{{harvnb|Bezbaroa|2020|pp=32-34}}</ref>
# Ejoni Malini aru Ejupa Phool - A Flower-Maiden and a Flower Plant;<ref>{{cite book |title=Folk Tales of Assam |first=J. |last=Barua |location=Gauhati, Assam |publisher=Lawyer's Book Stall |date=1954 |orig-year=1915 |page=26}}</ref> A lady-gardener and a flowering plant<ref>{{harvnb|Bezbaroa|2011|pp=16-20}}</ref>
# Numoliya Pu - The Youngest Child<ref>{{cite book |title=Folk Tales of Assam |first=J. |last=Barua |location=Gauhati, Assam |publisher=Lawyer's Book Stall |date=1954 |orig-year=1915 |page=79}}</ref>
# Eta Xingora Maasor Kotha - The Tale of a Singara Fish;<ref>{{cite book |title=Folk Tales of Assam |first=J. |last=Barua |location=Gauhati, Assam |publisher=Lawyer's Book Stall |date=1954 |orig-year=1915 |page=94}}</ref> The tale of a singora-fish;<ref>{{harvnb|Bezbaroa|2011|pp=61-62}}</ref> Story of A Catfish<ref>{{harvnb|Bezbaroa|2020|pp=168-169}}</ref>
# Tikhor Aru Suti Bai (Tikhar aru Sutibai) - Tikhar and Sutibai<ref>{{harvnb|Bez Baroa|2023|pp=153-156}}</ref>
# [[Champavati]]<ref>{{harvnb|Bezbaroa|2011|pp=95-101}}</ref> (Champabati)<ref>{{harvnb|Bezbaroa|2020|pp=136-145}}</ref>
# Jaradgab Rojar Upokhyan (Jaradgab Rajar Upakhyan) - Tale of King Jaradgab<ref>{{harvnb|Bez Baroa|2023|pp=132-134}}</ref>
# Panexoi (Panesoi)<ref>{{harvnb|Bez Baroa|2023|pp=143-146}}</ref>
# Juwair Xadhu (Jouwair Sadhu) - Tale of a son-in-law<ref>{{harvnb|Bez Baroa|2023|pp=147-149}}</ref>

==Source of stories==
The author collected these stories from the common native people of [[Assam]] and then prepared this book. The names he mentioned in the preface of the book who contributed the folklores (but without explicitly mentioning who contributed which one) were Bhramarendra Saikia, Mahi Chandra Bora, Sitanath Sharma, Sarveshwar Sharma Kotoky, Rudrakanta Goswami, Wajed Ali, Naranath Sharma, Rusheswar Sharma, Padmadhar Chaliha, Ratnakanta Sharma, Haladhar Bhuyan, Guluk Chandra Sharma, Meghnath Deka, Roop Chandra Barua, Dinanath Medhi, Lokonath Das, Gobinda Chandra Choudhuri, and Dineswar Dutta.

==English translation==
This book was translated to English as "Old Mother's Wise Tales" by Nripen Dutta Baruah and published by LBS Publications,
India.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sentinelassam.com/ghy_city/story.php?sec=1&subsec=0&id=132340&dtP=2013-03-10&ppr=1 |title=The Sentinel |publisher=Sentinelassam.com |accessdate=2013-03-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924100629/http://www.sentinelassam.com/ghy_city/story.php?sec=1&subsec=0&id=132340&dtP=2013-03-10&ppr=1 |archive-date=2015-09-24 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sentinelassam.com/ghy_city/story.php?sec=1&subsec=0&id=126360&dtP=2012-09-12&ppr=1 |title=The Sentinel |publisher=Sentinelassam.com |accessdate=2013-03-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924100609/http://www.sentinelassam.com/ghy_city/story.php?sec=1&subsec=0&id=126360&dtP=2012-09-12&ppr=1 |archive-date=2015-09-24 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=TI Trade |url=http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=jul3012/city07 |title=The Assam Tribune Online |publisher=Assamtribune.com |date=30 July 2012 |accessdate=2013-03-15 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121123141542/http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=jul3012%2Fcity07 |archivedate=23 November 2012 }}</ref>

==Modern uses and adaptations==
The stories have been notably adapted for screen, stage, and television over the years.

===Films===
* An [[Cinema of Assam|Assamese film]], ''Haladhar'' (1991), was made from a story of this book by Sanjeev Hazorika.<ref name="yahoo1"/>
* Another Assamese movie, ''Tula aru Teja'', directed by Junmoni Devi Khaund and released on 13 April 2012 is based on the story of this book of the same name.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIABca4vIgU |title=Tula aru Teja (তুলা আৰু তেজা) - Assamese Film Promo |publisher=YouTube |date=4 April 2012 |accessdate=2013-03-15}}</ref><ref name="sentinelassam2012">{{cite web | url=http://www.sentinelassam.com/saturday/saturday2.php?sec=17&subsec=0&ppr=3&dtP=2013-01-13 | title=Assamese Films in 2012 | publisher=[[The Sentinel (Gauhati)|The Sentinel]] | accessdate=15 March 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213125900/http://www.sentinelassam.com/saturday/saturday2.php?sec=17&subsec=0&ppr=3&dtP=2013-01-13 | archive-date=13 December 2013 | url-status=dead }}</ref>
* In 2013, Metanormal Motion Pictures announced a new project inspired by four stories contained in ''Burhi Aair Sadhu''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.sentinelassam.com/ghy_city/story.php?sec=1&subsec=0&id=177456&dtP=2013-12-08&ppr=1#177456 |title=New film based on Buri Ai'r Xadhu |access-date=10 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924100714/http://www.sentinelassam.com/ghy_city/story.php?sec=1&subsec=0&id=177456&dtP=2013-12-08&ppr=1#177456 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Titled ''[[Kothanodi]]'', the film was expected to release in 2015.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/Four-iconic-fables-to-feature-in-film/articleshow/26761372.cms | title=Four iconic fables to feature in film | date=3 December 2013 | newspaper=The Times of India | first=Gaurav | last=Das | accessdate=8 July 2019 }}</ref> The four stories referenced in the film are ''Tejimola'', ''Champawati'', ''Ou Kuwori'' (The Outenga Maiden) and ''Tawoir Xadhu'' (The Story of Tawoi).

==References==
{{Reflist}}

;Bibliography:
* {{cite book |title=Folk Tales of Assam |first=J. |last=Barua |location=Gauhati, Assam |publisher=Lawyer's Book Stall |date=1954 |orig-year=1915}} (collects 17 tales)
* {{cite book |last=Bezbaroa |first=Lakshiminath |title=Grandma's Tales |translator=Pallavi Barua |publisher=Hornbill Productions |date=2011 |isbn=978-81-904424-0-4}}
* {{cite book |title=Old Mother's Wise Tales: Burhi Aair Sadhu |first=Lakshminath |last=Bezbaroa |translator=Nripen Dutta Baruah |publisher=LBS Publications |date=2020}}
* {{cite book |title=Grandmother's Tales (A Translation of Burhi Air Sadhu) |translator1=Jnyanadabhiram Borooah |translator2=Dilip Kumar Kalita |first=Lakshminath |last=Bez Baroa |publisher=Anundoram Borroha Institute Of Language, Art And Culture |location=Assam |date=2023 |isbn=9789382680611}}

== Further reading ==
* {{cite journal |title=Filming Folktales: The 'Uncanny' in Bhaskar Hazarika's Kothanodi ("The River of Fables") |first=Farddina |last=Hussain |journal=Rupkatha Journal |volume=14 |issue=2 |date=April–June 2022 |pages=1–10 |doi=10.21659/rupkatha.v14n2.ne12|doi-access=free }}

==External links==
{{wikisourcelang|as|Category:বুঢ়ী আইৰ সাধু}}
* [http://www.onlinesivasagar.com/literature/lakshminath.htm Lakshminath Bezbaruah] at OnlineSivasagar.com
* [https://archive.today/20130122193819/http://www.esnips.com/thumbnails.php?album=4066169 Audio links]
* [https://www.assamesestories.in/?m=1 গল্প সাধুকথা কবিতা জীৱনী] at assamesestories.in
* [https://archive.today/20130411222215/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120504/jsp/northeast/story_15449693.jsp%23.UUNeQTdoy1s Colours of a folk tale] - Mridul Sarma reinterprets the story ''Tejimala'' in her novel ''Tejimalar Makar Sadhu''.
* [https://archive.today/20130411043659/http://screen.indianexpress.com/news/gather-around-grandma/891729/2 Gather Around Grandma], Screen — ''The Indian Express''.
* [http://m.indianexpress.com/news/6-times-6-translates-into-180-all-childrens-stories/940525/ 6 times 6 translates into 180, all children's stories] Screen — ''The Indian Express''.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20181017163910/http://www.assamkart.com/ Burhi Aair Saadhu ebook] at AssamKart - North East India's only ebookstore

[[Category:Assamese literature]]
[[Category:Books from Assam]]
[[Category:Assamese-language books]]
[[Category:1911 books]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian books]]
[[Category:Indian folklore]]
[[Category:Indian fairy tales]]
[[Category:Indian literature]]
[[Category:Indian intellectual property law]]

Burhi Aair Sadhu - Revision history

SaifurRahaman at 22:04, 30 April 2026