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An Ode to my Grandfather

An Ode to my Grandfather

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Dr Maheswar Neog

A heartfelt tribute from the author to her Grandfather Dr. Maheswar Neog, a Padma Shri award winner and a renowned scholar from Assam. This reflection explores his intellectual legacy, personal influence, and the values he instilled in his family.

The legacy of a grandparent is often carried in the whispers of family stories, in the lingering echoes of their wisdom, and in the profound impact they leave behind for generations to cherish. For me, that legacy shines brightest in the memory of my grandfather, Padma Shri Dr. Maheswar Neog, a renowned scholar from Assam. His name is synonymous with intellectual brilliance, but to me, he was not just a scholar—he was the embodiment of wisdom, perfection, and the unyielding quest for knowledge.

At IGNCA
At IGNCA

A mix of emotions filled my heart yesterday, as I walked into Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, Delhi. It was an amalgamation of nostalgia, pride, joy, respect that engulfed me as I entered the auditorium where Dr. Neog, my maternal grandfather’s memorial lecture was to be held. The ambience of the exhibition hall of IGNCA, was overwhelming, where Ranjana Chakrabarti, the ALIO of the Kala Nidhi Division, worked assiduously to curate pictures, works and memorabilia of the scholar, my Koka (grandfather in Assamese), “The man who lived in Assam, lived for Assam and has lived Assam.” This experience nudged me on to reminisce about him.

For me, as a toddler, my grandfather was the “tallest” human being, I would look up at him by bending myself backward as far as I could. The years rolled by and as I grew up, I realised that “tall” turned into a metaphor for the person that he was, and of course I began looking up to him for inspiration and the awareness. He was a stickler for perfection who worked diligently and laboriously to not only consolidate the foundation of the then newly born Gauhati University, but also to maintain the continuum of the teachings of Saint Sankardeva. He was instrumental in getting the Xattriya dance recognized as India’s fifth classical dance form and accomplished so much work in one life time that others would probably do in many.

Koka was overjoyed to receive that piece of paper where I wrote the first letter of the alphabet, for the first time, as a mere 2-year-old. My mother sent it to him and he wrote back saying how proud he felt that his granddaughter should be so quick to embark upon the path of learning. He was posted in Patiala then, in Punjabi University.

Dr. Maheswar Neog with Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru
Dr. Maheswar Neog with Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru

Dr. Neog was not just a scholar of the past; he was a visionary. He understood that for a society to thrive, it must hold onto its cultural roots while also embracing progress. Koka emphasized on the need for co-curricular activities especially the ones that worked towards keeping our art and culture alive. Hence, he gifted me with my first ‘ghungroos’ when I was five and I began learning ‘kathak’. Koka advocated for modern education and saw the importance of integrating traditional knowledge with contemporary ideas. His work in education, and his involvement in shaping the Gauhati University, reflect his commitment to this vision. He believed that Assam’s rich heritage was not something to be locked away in the past but a foundation upon which future generations could build. He would not waste a single second, even when he would have to take his car to the garage to get it repaired or serviced, he would sit there and proof-read his manuscripts.

Although Dr. Maheswar Neog’s intellectual stature was towering, his humility was equally remarkable. To the world, he was an academician of repute; to his family, he was a father/grandfather who emphasized on discipline and order. My aita (grandmother in Assamese) was the strong support he needed to keep the family intact and cared for, to keep the house cosy and warm, look after the four children as he worked relentlessly. The two of them were super resilient in their own ways. I remember Koka not just as a scholar but as a grandfather who would explain complex ideas with patience, taking care to ensure that I understood not just the facts but the essence of what he was sharing. One of the most profound lessons he imparted was the value of curiosity. He would always encourage us to ask questions, to seek knowledge for the sake of understanding, and to view learning as a lifelong journey. This was a lesson I have carried with me, and it has shaped the way I engage with the world. Of course, the questions had to be intelligent ones! He spent quality time with us, he expected even the jokes that my brother and cousin cracked to be witty. One day, when my brother said something that was supposed to be humorous, Koka quipped sternly, “It’s good to be funny but not silly!”

Little Navanita with her mother Navamalati her Gradfather Dr Maheswar Neog and Father Estella
Little Navanita with her mother Navamalati her Gradfather Dr Maheswar Neog and Father Estella

As he grew older, his eye sight became weak due to diabetes. Once he had to give a lecture at a meeting attended by renowned dignitaries, that was when he chose me to read out his speech. First, he dictated the content to me, I wrote it down. That’s when I saw the perfectionist in him from close quarters. He made me read the speech an umpteen number of times, edit it almost daily till the day of the meeting came forth, and by then I knew it by heart!

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In remembering my grandfather, Dr. Maheswar Neog, I am reminded of the importance of carrying forward the legacy of those who have come before us. His work, his wisdom, and his humanity continue to guide me, as they do countless others who have been touched by his scholarship. To the world, he may be remembered as a towering intellectual figure, but to me, he will always be the gentle, wise man whose love for knowledge shaped not just his life but the lives of those fortunate enough to call him ‘family’ and also those who referred to him as their “professor/sir”.

Today when the chaos and insanity of the world, tends to disorient me and I lose sight of my goal in life, that’s when Mufasa’s words to Simba in Lion King ring loud and clear in my mind, “Remember who you are!”

This keeps me grounded!

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