The Moth Eaten Howdah of the Tusker is a novel written by Indira Goswami in Kamrupi dialect. Book deals with different social issues of mid twentieth century Kamrup. Published as Dontal Hatir Une Khowa Howdah in 1986,[1] it was translated into English by the author in 2004.[2]
Set in Palashbari in Kamrup, it revolves around lead protagonist Giribaala and the society around her. As a widow from an Assamese Brahmin family, she narrates her experiences between two worlds: traditionalism and liberalism. The novel explores a powerful picture of change and transition.
In the year 2000, the Bharatiya Jnanpith conferred Jnanpith Award for this piece of work, among others.[3]
Work is adapted in numerous television serials like Ruma Ghosh's Kamrup Ki Kahani and in 1996 Assamese language film Adajya directed by Santwana Bardoloi .