On the banks of the restless Kapili, Rupai grows up chasing the shimmer of the river more than his school lessons, finding freedom in its eddies and secrets in its depths. But beyond the riverbank, the struggle for India’s independence is sweeping through his village, drawing him into its tide. From the dusty courtyard of a primary school to the iron bars of a colonial jail, and from the guidance of a guru behind those bars to the Kapili’s roar in flood, Rupai’s life is shaped by both the ferocity of nature and the urgency of history. First published in Assamese in 1952, The Tale of the Kapili is Navakanta Barua’s tender, powerful portrait of a community at the crossroads of tradition and change, blending romance, myth, and political awakening to capture the everlasting bond between a people and their river. About the Author: Navakanta Barua (1926–2002) was one of the most significant voices in modern Assamese poetry, and a celebrated novelist, translator, lyricist, and children’s writer. He authored 11 poetry collections, 6 novels, and numerous other works. His honours include the Sahitya Akademi Award (1975), Padma Bhushan (1976), Soviet Land Nehru Award (1980), and Kabir Samman. An eminent academic, he served as Professor of English at Cotton College, Guwahati, retiring as Vice-Principal. Considered a poet of the crossroads, Barua’s work remains a vital presence in Assamese literature, bridging generations, cultures, and disciplines. About the Translators: Joyee Das holds a Master’s degree in English Literature from the University of Delhi. Editing and translation assignments shape her work life, while her love for creative writing, cats, horror films, and Habibi Funk Records fills her waking hours with meaning. Ra Acharya holds a Master’s degree in English Literature from the University of Delhi and teaches English. He translates from Assamese into English, and his interests include poetry, birds and trees, Test cricket, rock music, and cooking more than palatable food.