Maysyagandha is one of the most revered works of the eminent author of our times, late Homen Borgohain. Published way back in 1987, the book was successful in depicting the class divide of Assamese society and the vicious grip of kani or opium addiction. The novel was way ahead of its times. Probably that’s why, even today, the book is widely accepted and read by generations after generations. Matsyagandha was adapted into a feature film and has been turned into plays by various theater groups from time to time. Col Jagadish Kakati has rightfully selected the novel to translate it, named “The Fisherman’s Daughter’. It is a laudable effort of Col Kakati as the subject of ‘Matsyagandha’ has a pan India relevance and with his translation, the book is now out there for the readers who are not well versed with the Assamese language but have been missing out on the accomplished works of the region. One of the prime elements of Col Kakati’s writing is that he has retained some of the Assamese words in his translation. Some things, if translated, lose the impact that particular word or sentence has created in the original work. Col Kakati understands it well. That's why he has retained that impact in his translation as well. The language flows like a river and arrests the interest of the reader right from the start. Indeed, the novel is one of the well written translations I have read recently and Col Kakati deserves accolades for it. I wish all the best to Col Jagadish Kakati for his future works. ~Nilutpal Gohain