This book brings to light the Barak Valley's role in India's freedom movement, its battles for linguistic and cultural recognition, and the lives of those who stood at the crossroads of change. From oral histories and overlooked documents to a meticulously compiled account of legislators, mystics, and local newspapers, the book stitches together fragments of a past that deserves to be remembered.
More than a historical record, Voice of Barak is a tribute to memory, to identity, and to the enduring spirit of a people too often left out of the national conversation.
Muazzaz Ahmed Choudhury, also known as Faaiz Choudhury, is a law student, writer, and electronic music producer hailing from Karimganj, Assam. With a passion for storytelling through words and sound, he has released several instrumental tracks on platforms such as Spotify, JioSaavn, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Shazam, SoundCloud, and Boomplay.
Faaiz is also associated with The Rahman Pharmacy, a family-run medical establishment located at Station Road, Karimganj, with a legacy dating back to the British era. He completed his early education at Tiny Hearts, followed by schooling at Kendriya Vidyalaya Karimganj.
He is the Founder Partner and Management Executive of 'The Capture' (September 2021 – October 2023), a youth-led creative platform focused on photography, surveys, and grassroots storytelling. The initiative gained attention for its raw and socially aware visual content, giving voice to local concerns and cultural expressions.
Faaiz’s literary and journalistic contributions include impactful articles published on Youth Ki Awaaz, Medium, and LinkedIn, addressing themes like political accountability, civic sense, education policy, and inequality. Notable titles include:
1. The Education Scam in India: A Growing Concern
2. The Indian Budget 2024–25: Falls Short on Equity & Sustainability
3. Outrage in Kolkata
4. From Leaders to Deities: Political Hero Worship in India
5. When Homes Become Illegal: The Urban Poor and India’s Bulldozer Justice
6. Civic Sense in India: The Missing Piece in Our Progress
7. Brain Drain: Why Indian Students Are Moving Abroad for Higher Education
Faaiz descends from a distinguished lineage rooted in Mesopotamia and Mughal India. His ancestor, Muhammad Imam Baksh, a prince from Mesopotamia, arrived in Delhi in 1599 AD during the reign of Emperor Akbar, seeking the spiritual guidance of Hazrat Baqi Billah (R:). His grandson, Nawab Jan Muhammad Khan Bahadur, was appointed Faujdar of Bihar in 1663 and later became Faujdar of Sylhet Sarkar under Emperor Aurangzeb. This noble lineage continued through Dewan Arman Ali Choudhury, Zamindar of Ujandihi in Karimganj, and Dr. Rosman Ali Choudhury, a freedom fighter and renowned physician of the British era.
During the Partition of 1947, while nearly all the elite Choudhury families of Ujandihi migrated to East Pakistan, his great-grandfather Dr. Rosman Ali Choudhury chose to remain in India—committed to democratic values and national integrity. This legacy of resilience, service, and cultural pride continues to inspire Faaiz’s work.
Raised in a family grounded in wisdom and values, his father Mamazzad Ahmed Choudhury (Babu) is a respected educator, poet, and social figure, honored with the Chishti title at Ajmer Sharif. His mother, Sultana Fahmida Choudhury, is a devoted homemaker and the emotional foundation of his journey. His younger sister, Muazzama Choudhury Fidaa, contributed meaningfully to this book by refining and editing several sections with clarity and depth.
With a modern vision and an old-school soul, Faaiz blends art, intellect, and heritage to reclaim the forgotten narratives of his homeland—giving voice to the Barak Valley and its people through his debut work, Voice of Barak.