teristics trends in Assamese literature as these are the common features in those of the world. Besides, the prominent writers of the western coun- tries gave a fillip to the prosperous growth of the modern Assamese literature.
Modern Assamese short stories owe their origin to the writings of Bezbarua and Sarat Chandra Goswami. "Bezbarua and Sarat Chandra Goswami belong to the old school of short story-writers; their stories gene- rally do not involve the requisite technique of the modern short story: they often loom on the border-line of fantasy and tale. It was just a start in them, and it could not and did not gain the necessary momentum in their hands."
With the technique and spirit of the French School (Maupassant and other French writers), in times of the 'Awahan', a group of Assamese writers grew prominent. Lakhidhar Sarma, Munin Barkataki, Rama Das, Lakhi Phukan, Haliram Deka are few names to be mentioned. Abdul Malik, the popular short-story writer, is Chekovian in spirit and style. Homen Borgohain, Biren Bhattacharjya stand out prominent with particular cha- racteristics.
Assamese Poetry also has been taking the same form and colour under such current influences of the western writers. T. S. Eliot, Ezra Pound, Dylan Thomas etc., are the ideals of the present day modern poets in Assam. Mohendra Bara, Nava Kanta Barua, Homen Borgohain, Hem Barua are names that deserve special mention.
In the case of dramas and novels too, the same note of western thoughts can be heard. Radio dramas are special contribution that require a good deal of discussion. It was first Lakhidhar Sarma who wrote 'Projapatir Bhul' - an one act-play, in imitation of western model. It is, more or less, available now-a-days. The belles lettres --"Laghu Rachana" in Assamese, stands out as a characteristic feature under the leadership of Dr. Hem Barua, Hem Sarma and Biren Barkataky. These essays are typical model of the English essays.
The critical essays are also the products of the influence of the western literature. The present day modern critics like Jnananada Sarma Pathak, Hem Barua, Mohendra Bara, Homen Bargobain, Dilip Barua stand out eminent at present.
It goes without saying then, that Modern Assamese literature owes a great deal to the western tendency of thoughts. The writers are, so to
