Eli Ahmed – Assam’s Eternal Voice of Literature, Cinema and Empowerment
By Afroz Khan, New Age Islam
24 November 2025
Eli Ahmed, Assam’s Padma Shri awardee, excelled as writer, editor, screenwriter, director, lyricist, actress and costume designer. Founder-editor of “Orani” magazine for over five decades, she authored 1000+ works championing children, women and social reform, earning the beloved title “Orani Baideo”.
Main Points:
1. Padma Shri awardee (2017) & pioneer of Assamese children’s and women’s literature
2. Wrote 1000+ poems, stories, articles; scripted award-winning films & songs
3. Founded & still runs “Orani”, Northeast’s longest-running women’s magazine (50+ years)
4. Multifaceted artist: writer, editor, director, lyricist, actress, costume designer
5. Known as “Orani Baideo” – beloved elder sister of Assamese literature & empowerment
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How many creative works can a person perform in his lifetime ?
1 or 2, but there is a woman in India who has done the work of writer, editor, screenwriter, director, costume designer, actress and lyricist with great ease.
Ms. Elly Ahmed was born on 14 March 1934 in Sibsagar district of Assam state of British India. Her father’s name was Abdur Rashid, he was a surgeon in Nazira.
Her mother’s name was Noorjahan Begum. Unfortunately, her mother died when she was very young and her father also could not stay with her for long.
Eli Ahmed completed her primary education in a local school. She had an inclination towards literature since childhood.
She used to write and recite poems and children’s rhymes since childhood.
In 1967, she formed a children’s cultural group named “Rong Chora”. This group used to travel to different areas of Assam and give its literary presentations.
Literary Accomplishments
Eli Ahmed has made significant contributions to the field of children’s and women’s literature. She has written over 1,000 articles, stories, and poems. Notable among her works are “Ankur,” a short-story collection, “Moniram Dewan,” “Rangmonor Mon,” “Moi Ketia Aita Hom,” “Asom Birangana Romanthan,” and “Asom Jyoti.” These books have been exhibited at numerous book fairs.
She received the National Adult Education Literary Award in 1976 for her book “Banphool,” on adult education. She wrote a famous play, “Ami Abhinoy Kora Nai,” which dealt with the struggles of physically disabled children, and received widespread acclaim.
Eli Ahmed has written stories and screenplays for several award-winning Assamese films, including Dhrubatara, Devata, Mukhagni, Janmabhoomi, and Banphool. She has written many popular songs for Assamese films, including the famous song “Ga Ga Aji Gai Ja E Geetoke Ga” from the film Dr. Bezbarua.
Eli Ahmed’s compositions often focus on women’s issues, children’s education, and social welfare, reflecting her social awareness.
In 1970, Eli Ahmed began publishing the magazine “Orani.”
It was the only women’s magazine in the Northeast. She is the editor, publisher, and owner of the women’s magazine “Orani.” It has been running for over five decades. It primarily focuses on successful women, their struggles, and issues related to women’s empowerment, and believes that literature is the key to empowerment. Orani magazine holds an important place in the literary and social landscape of Assam.
Through her literature and her magazine, Eli Ahmed has attempted to raise many important social issues. She has also strongly addressed the issues of girl child education and adult education in her literary works, drawing public attention to these pressing issues.
Honours and Awards
Eli Ahmed is a life member of the Assam Sahitya Sabha and was the winner of the National Literary Award on Adult Education in 1976 for her book Bonphool. For her contributions to literature, she received the Dr. Nirmal Prabha Bordoloi Award in 2011 and the Amalprabha Das Award in 2013. In 2017, she was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India for her valuable contributions to literature and education.
Eli Ahmed is called by different names by various famous people for her excellent works: Nalinibala Devi addresses her as Pokhila (Butterfly), Brajen Barua calls her Geet (Raag). Famous musician and singer Bhupen Hazarika fondly calls Eli Ahmed “Rong” (Colour) and Nirmal Prabha Bardoloi calls her “Belli” (Sun).
“Orani Baideo” is her most famous and popular nickname. She got this name because of the women’s magazine Orani edited, published and run by her; “Baideo” is a respectful address in Assamese which means “elder sister”.
Eli Ahmed has been a prominent advocate for women’s rights. She has always wanted women to be educated and aware of their rights. She has also been sensitive to her homeland, Assam, and the Assamese language, and she continues to raise awareness about them.
Eli Ahmed is a living example of strong conviction and struggle, who has striven to bring about widespread change in society through her literary contributions.
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Afroz Khan is a teacher by profession who writes on women, politics, communal harmony, and Islam. She holds a master’s degree in Education.
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/eli-assam-eternal-literature-cinema/d/137755
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