The Luminous Trajectory of Professor Suren Talukder: A Synthesis of Cartographic Precision and Literary Erudition

Abstract

This article explores the life, academic career, and literary contributions of Professor Suren Talukder. Born in rural Assam in 1943, Talukder established a distinguished career in Geography, serving for over three decades at the prestigious Cotton College (now a state university located in Assam, India). Beyond his pedagogical achievements, particularly in Cartography, he made significant contributions to Assamese literature through translation. This biography traces his journey from a nature-loving child in Batiamari to a recipient of the Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize, highlighting his dual legacy in academia and literature.

Keywords

Suren Talukder, Geography, Cotton College (now University), Cartography, Assamese Literature, Translation, Sahitya Akademi , Assam, India

Author Biography

Pranjit Kumar Sarma

Dr. Pranjit Kumar Sarma  obtained his Ph.D. from North Eastern Hill University, Shillong, Meghalaya, India. Dr Sarma has expertise in the field of remote sensing and GIS and has published a number of research papers in journals of national and international repute. His recent publication is a revisiting of Geographies of Nationalism and National Identity in Bangladesh, published in the September 2020 issue of Geo Journal. Dr Sarma is currently working on the social issues of India and generating a GIS database on it. His Scopus Author ID: 3521912840 and ORCID ID:0000-0001-9986-9790

Chinmoyee Talukdar

Ms Chinmoyee Talukdar is an Assam Education Service (AES) officer presently serving as  Joint Director in the school education department and holding the post of Director (I/C) of Directorate of Bodo Medium and Other Tribal Languages.  She is an alumnus of prestigious Cotton College now Cotton University. She has accomplished her Bachelors and Masters in Geography. Her special line of interest is “Regional Planning and Development”. Prior to joining the service, she has been associated with the academic fraternity as a teacher in various capacities across different institutions ranging from Higher Secondary to Under-Graduate level. She started her career as an Assistant Professor in Geography in Pragjyotish College in 2000. Ms Talukdar has extensively worked for the “Informal Sector” and published several research papers in National and International journals. In addition to that, she has written several articles in the newspapers related to Education and edited a few books.
It is also to be mentioned here that Ms Talukdar is the State Liaison Officer for the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) for the state of Assam and has been actively representing the State on various forums at the national level. 

References

1. Anantha Murthy, U. R. (2002). Samskār (S. Talukder, Trans.). Sahitya Akademi. (Original work published in Kannada).
2. Bandyopadhyay, T. (2011). Ganadevatā (S. Talukder, Trans.). Sahitya Akademi. (Original work published in Bangla; Translation awarded Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize, 2015).
3. Bandyopadhyay, T. (2019). Arogya Niketan (S. Talukder, Trans.). Sahitya Akademi. (Original work published in Bangla).
4. Bandyopadhyay, T. (2024). Hasuli Pakar Upakatha [Hansuli Bänker Upakatha] (S. Talukder, Trans.). Sahitya Akademi. (Original work published in Bangla).
5. Bhagabati, Abani Kumar (2023). Professor Mohammed Taher: A brief profile of his life and works. In R. Bhattacharyya (ed.). North East India through the Ages: A Transdisciplinary Perspective on Prehistory, History, and Oral History. 17-26. New York, Routledge, Taylor and Francis. DOI:10.4324/9781003157816-2
6. Bhattacharyya, R. (2026a, 05 February). Upadeshmulak Sikhan Bonam Sikharthimulak Sikhan. Niyamiya Barta. https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=10242171155884201&set=a.1779613578960
7. Bhattacharyya, R. (2026b, 01 February). Didactic Learning versus Student-Centred Learning: Classroom reflections from Geography and Logic Teaching at Cotton University. India Today NE. https://tinyurl.com/yv4zm2an
8. Bond, R. (2023). The Room on the Roof (S. Talukder, Trans.). Monikut Prakashan. (Original work published in English).
9. Butalia, U. (2016). Naisabdyar Sipāre [The Other Side of Silence] (S. Talukder, Trans.). Alibat Prakashan. (Original work published in English).
10. Divakaruni, C. B. (2023). Mayar Kareng [The Palace of Illusions] (S. Talukder, Trans.). Banalata. (Original work published in English).
11. Dutta, A. K. (2023). Mahabir Lachit Barphukan [Assam's Braveheart Lachit Barphukan] (S. Talukder, Trans.). Publication Board, Assam. (Original work published in English).
12. Kar, B.K. (2023a). Professor Narendra Nath Bhattacharyya (21 January 1936 - 29 January 2023): His Academic Career and Contributions, Space and Culture, India, 10(4), pp. 18–37. doi:10.20896/saci.v10i4.1351.
13. Kar, Bimal K. (2023b). Chapter 2: Professor Narendra Nath Bhattacharyya: A brief profile of his life, academic career and contributions. In Anand Subhash, Das Madhushree, Bhattacharyya Rituparna & Singh RB (eds.). Sustainable development goals in North East India: Challenges and achievements (Advances in Geographical and Environmental Sciences). 21-31. Singapore, Springer Nature. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-6478-7_2
14. Rahman, M. (2020). A Tribute to Professor Tirtha Nath Barkataky, Space and Culture, India, 8(2), pp. 218–220. doi:10.20896/saci.v8i2.1070.
15. Routray, J. (2017). Dr. Dibya Kishor Singh, Former Professor of Geography, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, India, Space and Culture, India, 5(1), pp. 65–66. doi:10.20896/saci.v5i1.260.
16. Singh, K. (2014). Train to Pakistan (S. Talukder, Trans.). Alibat Prakashan/Banalata. (Original work published in English; Reprinted 2019).
17. Talukder, S. (Trans.). (2019). Mukoli Akash [Translated short stories II]. Alibat Prakashan.
18. Talukder, S. (2018). Introduction to Map Projections for UG (major) & PG students of GU & DU (2nd ed.). EBH Publishers (India). (Original work published in 2008). (Textbook)
19. Talukder, S. (Trans.). (2012). Swikārokti [Translated short stories]. Alibat Prakashan.
20. Talukder, S. (Trans.). (2007). Emuthi Anudita Galpa [Short stories I]. Anupam Grantha.
21. Talukder, S. (2000). Bhugol Bijan Part 2 for class 12. Orient Longman.(Textbook)
22. Talukder, S. (2003). Bhugol Bijnan for class 8. Balimahi Prakashaw.(Textbook).
23. Talukder, S., & Choudhury, N. (1989). Geography Practical Notebook for Degree Pass course. Niharendra Choudhury.