Mapping Identity and Preserving Heritage: Krishnangee Baruah Unveils Two New Books in Dibrugarh

Guwahati: In a vibrant celebration of literature, culture, and identity, author Krishnangee Baruah launched her two latest works—The Uncanny Maps of Lohitya Borgohain and the Tai-Phake English Botanical Dictionary—at a book release event held in the culturally rich village of Khania Gaon, Dibrugarh.
The event, which saw an enthusiastic turnout of literary figures, cultural custodians, and local residents, was graced by Dr. Pradip K. Gogoi as Chief Guest and Paim Thee Gohain as Guest of Honour. Presiding over the session was academician Dr. Prabin Kumar Saikia, who emphasized the urgent need to preserve the Tai-Phake language and literature, a theme that resonated deeply throughout the programme.
Adding a nostalgic musical interlude was Retired Police Inspector Biswajit Konwar, whose soulful rendition of a Bhupen Hazarika classic struck a chord with the audience.
During her address, Krishnangee Baruah delved into the inspiration behind her novel, The Uncanny Maps of Lohitya Borgohain. Set in the 1960s, the novel follows the journey of a cartographer and his local guide as they explore the unmapped and politically ambiguous frontiers of Northeast India. The narrative weaves questions of identity, nationhood, and the invisible lines that divide and define belonging.
She also highlighted the scholarly significance of her second release, the Tai-Phake English Botanical Dictionary, a pioneering work cataloguing plant names in both Tai-Phake and English. The dictionary not only serves as a linguistic preservation tool but also as a bridge between indigenous ecological wisdom and modern research.
Baruah graciously acknowledged her pillars of support—her husband Partha Borgohain, parents Dr. Ruby Baruah and Chittaranjan Baruah, and in-laws Sengpem Borgohain and Subhitya Borgohain—for their unwavering encouragement throughout her writing journey.
The event also reflected on her earlier poetry collection Flutter of Fate, released in 2024 by Assam Computers, Tinsukia, establishing her as a writer committed to exploring varied literary forms.
Among those sharing their reflections was social worker Urmila Chetia, who underscored the cultural and academic relevance of both publications. Attendees praised the novel’s rich storytelling and the dictionary’s contribution to the documentation of indigenous knowledge systems.
The launch was not just a literary gathering but a powerful statement on nurturing local narratives, amplifying minority voices, and safeguarding linguistic and ecological heritage in an increasingly globalized world.