Dr. Arupa Patangia Kalita is regarded as one of the most prominent feminist writers from the North-East. A powerful storyteller of topics, such as insurgency, poverty and women's issues, Dr Kalita's novels speak about the ordinary lives of the common Assamese people. She has been awarded the Assam Valley Literary Award, Bharatiya Bhasha Parishad Award, Katha Prize among other prestigious recognitions. For her acclaimed novel Mariam Austin Othoba Hira Barua, she received the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2014.