KAMTAPURI ABHIDHAN (Kamtapuri to Kamtapuri, English)

COMPILED BY

SUJAN BARMAN

LAUNCHED on 16th February, 2011.

Published By

KAMTAPURI BHASHA UNNAYAN PARISHAD
DINHATA. COOCHBEHAR(WB), INDIA

Price- Rs. 790/-

FOREWARD

Words: the building blocks of conversation, poetry, song, deliberation and so much more. Words: the linguistic gift of one generation to the next; constantly being passed on, enduring and changing. Words are a cultural heritage, a present reality, and a tool to shave the future. Words set forth the community's thought.

In these pages Sri Sujan Barman painstakingly documented through words _ their meanings categorized, compared, considered, clarified. This work is an outstanding achievement of practical, cultural, and academic merit. It is a tribute both to the rich cultural heritage, and to the enduring relevance of this language and its words.

In these words we can trace the Indo-Aryan linguistic heritage, inherited through numerous stages of evolution. Magadha, Kamrupa, Kamata, Cooch Behar, Rajbanshi and more besides. In these words we can observe the phonological and morphological innovations that have punctuated the different phases of the language's history. through these words we can glimpse the environment, experiences, ideas, beliefs and values of the Kamtapuri (also called Rajbanshi or Deshi) speech community of the north Bengal and western Assam region.

This dictionary is worthy of the attention of linguists, social scientists, and speakers of this language. The countless hours spent in compiling its contents demonstrate a dedication which is commendable.


Dr. Matthew Toulmin
Serampore, Hoogly, W.B.

Lecture of Dr. Matthew Toulmin in the Inaugural Function of Kamtapuri Abhidhan on 16-02-2011 In Pacha saheed Mancha in Cooch Behar, W.B., India


We have come here today, for an important event, which is to inaugurate the first dictionary in this language of northern Bengal and western Assam region. Several people have published lists of words in this language over the last centuries, but never before has there been such a large collection and systematic presentation of the words which are used by Rajbanshis and local Muslims and other castes of this region. More than 13000 words are given for us here: collected , sorted, analysed, and clearly presented, what then shall we say about these words?
Words are the blocks with which our human society is built. Through words we discuss and instruct, sing and pray, express sorrow and joy. Words are passed on, from generation to the next: from father and mother to son and daughter, from son and daughter to grandson and granddaughter, and so on. Words are a cultural heritage .They are also a present reality. We hear them along the road, and in the field, and inside the house, as people go about their lives. Words are a tool to shape the future; to think and discuss and decide and act. Words set forth the structure of a community’s thoughts.
Words are cultural riches. Therefore, when we hold this book in our hand, we are holding cultural riches and wealth. These words are precious things, both for the speaker of this language, and also for the social scientist and scholar. Today we have gathered to give respect to these words and the cultural heritage they symbolize. There may be a Rupee price written on the book, but the cultural value, and the academic value, is much higher.
Let us consider briefly the academic value of this words. In these words we can trace the Indo-Aryan linguistic heritage, which has come down from Sanskrit, through Magadhi, to Kamrupa, to Kamtapur, to Cooch Behar and its Rajbanshis and Deshi Muslims and other castes of people. In these words we can observe the phonological and morphological changes that have occurred through different periods of language history. We can research how the environment and experiences and ideas of the community have influenced the language. This is a treasure for linguistic and cultural and historical research.
The contents of this book are worthy of respect, and so to is the man who has written this book. One must have a certain kind of temperament in order to collect, sort, analyze and present 13000 words in one book: one must be a lover of language; one must have a systematic and disciplined work ethos; one must have patience and determination to continue on this course over many years. Sri Sujan Barman is this kind of man: a lover of language; a systematic worker; and a determined scholar. When he started the work, he could not have known how difficult a job this would be. He has spent his time, his energy, his health, and his money in order to complete this task. Today we can benefit from his hard work by paying a few rupees, taking the book home, and consulting it about the words of this language. I congratulate and commend Sri Sujan Barman for his work. I believe that people of difficult backgrounds and castes will be able to recognize and respect the work that he has done, as an act of service to the cultural riches of his mother tongue.