Guwahati/Cairo, July 19, 2025 — In a landmark moment for Indian regional literature, the iconic Assamese folktale collection Burhi Aair Xadhu (Grandmother’s Tales) has been translated into Arabic for the first time, marking its entry into the Arab literary world and expanding its global cultural footprint.
Originally compiled in 1911 by literary stalwart Lakshminath Bezbaroa, Burhi Aair Xadhu comprises 30 timeless tales that have shaped generations of Assamese children through stories of clever animals, wise villagers, and moral lessons steeped in wit and simplicity. The collection is widely regarded as a cornerstone of Assamese storytelling heritage.
The Arabic edition, titled Hikayat al-Jaddati, was translated by Abu Sayed Ansary, a doctoral scholar from Sontoli village in Kamrup, Assam, currently pursuing research in Arabic literature at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi. The book was published by Dar al-Masriya al-Maghribiya lil-Nashr wal-Tawzi, a prominent publishing house based in Cairo, Egypt.
Ansary’s translation is being hailed as a cultural bridge between Assam and the Arab world. “These stories reflect universal themes—wit over strength, humility over pride, and the enduring power of kindness,” he said, adding that the project aims to introduce Arabic readers to the richness of Assamese oral traditions.
The translation effort was supported by Professor Mujeebur Rahman, who wrote the introduction and meticulously proofread each story. Ansary also credited his friend Muhsin MK for assisting with linguistic nuances during the two-year translation process.
This edition joins previous translations of Burhi Aair Xadhu into Bengali, Hindi, English, and Spanish, further cementing its status as a globally resonant work. The Arabic version is already available in Cairo bookstores and is expected to be released in India soon.
Literary experts have praised the move as a significant step in cross-cultural literary exchange, noting that the folktales’ moral clarity and narrative charm align well with the Arab world’s own storytelling traditions, such as A Thousand and One Nights.
As Assam’s storytelling legacy reaches new audiences, Burhi Aair Xadhu continues to prove that tales told under flickering oil lamps can transcend borders, languages, and generations.
