In this episode of Frontline Conversations, author and journalist Arup Kumar Dutta discusses his latest novel "Leaves No Longer Green" and explains why he chose fiction to tell the forgotten history of indentured labour in Assam's tea plantations. Drawing on decades of research into the tea industry, Dutta reflects on the brutal recruitment of plantation workers under British rule and how fiction can bring neglected histories to a wider audience.

The conversation explores the historical foundations of Assam's tea industry, the exploitation of plantation labour under colonialism, the enduring legacy of commercial interests in tea estates, and the ways in which these histories continue to shape conversations around labour rights and inequality. Dutta also speaks about representing Assam and north-eastern India in English literature, the research behind his work, the importance of regional storytelling, and why he remains hopeful that future generations will continue to value books.

Perfect for:

-Readers interested in the history of Assam's tea plantations

-Viewers interested in colonialism, labour history, and migration

-Students of history, literature, and postcolonial studies

-UPSC aspirants and current affairs audiences

-Anyone interested in Northeast India and historical fiction

Credits:

Host: Debasree Purkayastha

Editing: Razal Pareed

Producers: Kavya Pradeep M

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