The very prolific Ranju Hazarika can be regarded as one of the beloved authors of the very popular suspense genre, has been terrifying and delighting generations of readers with his work. Started from the thriller novel ‘Bahurupi’, he has over 750 published books ranging from detective, thriller, science fiction, children’s literature, comedy, horror stories to mysteries and social romance, are nearly all best sellers. Mr. Hazarika has been attracting readers with his suspenseful literature on the pages of his popular magazines like Bismoi, Rahashya among others for the last four decades. His truly unique and astonishing output even prompted Sahitya Akademi Award winner and President of Asam Sahitya Sabha Dr. Dhrubajyoti Bora to remark that there isn’t any household left today in the entire nook and corner of Assam that doesn’t possess a copy of his work.
The Gothic tradition blossomed into the genre called the horror literature in the 19th century. Influential works and characters that continue resonating with film and cinema today saw their genesis in such works as Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1818), the works of Edgar Allan Poe, the works of Sheridan Le Fanu, Robert Louis Stevenson’s Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (1886), Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray (1890), and Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1897). Each of these novels and novellas created an enduring icon of horror seen in modern re-imaginings on the stage and screen. Ranju Hazarika can be recognized as the undisputable and pioneer of Horror Fiction writers in Assamese literature. Started with the Horror novel named Sesh Rajani, published in 1983, he has written over 50 novels in the Horror genre. All of his novels have a different concept, that even after feeling such terrifying sensations, the reader is unable to close the book.
As mentioned in his autobiography ‘Jibonor Ful aru Kaint’, Mr. Hazarika has several experiences of facing paranormal activities in his real life. In 1976, during his service in Balipara Tea Garden, he witnessed a lacerate female hand floating in the air approaching him in the night. Initially he was confused, but later the matter was confirmed by his butler. The incident later inspired him to write his first Horror story Rahashyamayee Haat, published in Bismoi. Gradually he started publishing few other horror stories in Bismoi like Shitar Enisha, Khudhatur, Hingshra Nakhar. That was the beginning. The foreshadowing, fear, anxiety, surprise, imagination, suspense are the few extraordinary core elements that Mr. Hazarika maintains in his horror stories, has upgraded his legacy as one of the best horror writers of all time.
List of Ranju Hazarika’s Horror Novels
| Sl. No. |
Name of The Book | Year of Publication |
| 1. | Sesh Rajani | 1983 |
| 2. | Jiwanta Mritak | 1985 |
| 3. | Nirab Himachal | 1985 |
| 4. | Mrityur Sangeet | 1985 |
| 5. | Nishith Trishna | 1985 |
| 6. | Aakrukh | 1985 |
| 7. | Raktakta Aatangka | 1986 |
| 8. | Botahot Moronor Faand | 1986 |
| 9. | Mrityu Bixorpil | 1986 |
| 10. | Aatangka Aadim | 1986 |
| 11. | Nagna Jighrankha | 1986 |
| 12. | Maajnikhar Aartonad | 1987 |
| 13. | Juk | 1987 |
| 14. | Ripu Sanhaar | 1987 |
| 15. | Bibhatshwa | 1987 |
| 16. | Roti Bilap | 1987 |
| 17. | Kuhok | 1988 |
| 18. | Aahat Bismoy | 1989 |
| 19. | Sesh Praharar Khela | 1990 |
| 20. | Mrityur Nirjon Porok | 1991 |
| 21. | Tejar Andhakar | 1992 |
| 22. | Nixobde Mrityur Prabekh | 1993 |
| 23. | Bipanna Manab | 1993 |
| 24. | Bixakta Tej | 1993 |
| 25. | Dorponot Kaar Mukh | 1993 |
| 26. | Sunali Kait | 1994 |
| 27. | Niyat Bipanna Mrtiyu | 1996 |
| 28. | Sangi Mritadeh | 1996 |
| 29. | Aashnna Mrityur Ghran | 1996 |
| 30. | Dohonot Mrityu Bhoyongkor | 2000 |
| 31. | Adrishyar Aartonaad | 2001 |
| 32. | Saptarshir Abhishaap | 2001 |
| 33. | Khubdha Keet | 2001 |
| 34. | Ashariri Astitwa | 2001 |
| 35. | Aashanna Nishar Abhishap | 2001 |
| 36. | Mrityur Trishna Andhakar | 2002 |
| 37. | Nihat Praharar Aartanad | 2002 |
| 38. | Pretatmar Shiharan | 2002 |
| 39. | Trasta Haatot Aparahna | 2003 |
| 40. | Abhisapta Nikhasor | 2003 |
| 41. | Nishabda Praharar Aakrukh | 2003 |
| 42. | Raktakta Astitwa | 2003 |
| 43. | Adrishya Mrityur Anneshwan | 2003 |
| 44. | Andhakarat Adrishya Saah | 2003 |
| 45. | Abhishapta Jeewanar Aartanad | 2003 |
| 46. | Phoolat Tejar Gundha | 2004 |
| 47. | Shankita Pratidhwani | 2004 |
| 48. | Pretarta Shiharan | 2004 |
| 49. | Aparthiba Andhakar | 2010 |
| 50. | Dagdha Sandhyar Aartanaad | 2011 |
| 51. | Adham Keetor Dangshan | 2013 |
| 53. | Duhatot Tejar Sekura | 2013 |
| 54 | Horror Trilogy | 2015 |
This article was written by Pranoy Jyoti Sarmah.
very NYC article sir! amazing and overwhelming….
Very nice article sir! I always wondered if there will be any Assamese writer just like my favourite Jules Verne. I was delighted when I read his some of the series of Jason in Mouchak in childhood. Then I chanced upon some of his books from my friends as time passed. But not all of his books are available and I want to grasp each and every book of him specially his autobiographies. Now I want to say that Hazarika Sir will be my all time favourite writer and obviously not a soul can surpass him, the way he touches his reader’s heart! Thank you so much Pranay Sir for listing his books and touching some aspects of his life and experiences. All of his books should be made available online for the Assamese people.
superb articles!!! so delighted to see
A great job by Mr Pranay….realy Hazarika sir is assam pride…
We read stephen king and watch alfred hitchcock movies, but we should also know and read books written by our assamese authors. these books should be made available online.
Really very bold writer we have in our state as a pride of Assam. Thanks Mr. Pranoy for your great contributions to make us aware about Hazarika sir.