In Assamese horror stories, the concept of family curses is quite common. It might be passed down through generations due to the misdeeds of an ancestor. Another element is the use of local folklore and mythical creatures. These creatures are often based on the region's natural elements and cultural beliefs. For instance, a spirit that guards a river or a demon that haunts a mountain. Also, the element of mystery is always present, with things not being fully explained, leaving the readers or listeners with a sense of unease.
One common element is the use of local characters like the simple - minded farmer or the chatty old person. These characters often get into humorous situations due to their own quirks or beliefs. For example, the superstitious farmer in the previous story.
One common element is the strong connection to nature. In Assamese love stories, like the ones where the couple meets near rivers or in beautiful landscapes. Another element is family opposition which the lovers have to overcome. Also, the concept of loyalty and perseverance in love is very prominent. The lovers usually stay true to each other no matter what difficulties come their way.
One common theme is social class differences. As we saw in the previous stories, often a poor lover is not accepted by the family of a wealthier partner. Another theme is family opposition. Families may have their own plans for their children's marriages, not considering the love the young ones have. Also, fate or destiny plays a role. Sometimes, circumstances just don't allow the lovers to be together, no matter how much they love each other.
A frequent theme in Assamese sad stories is the struggle against social inequality. People are treated unfairly based on their caste or economic status. For instance, a lower - caste person may be denied opportunities that are available to others. Also, the theme of illness and death is common. A family's breadwinner falling ill and dying, leaving the family in a difficult situation. This often leads to a chain of sad events like children having to drop out of school to support the family.
One common theme is family opposition. In Assamese society, family values are very important. So if a family doesn't approve of a relationship, it often leads to a breakup. Another theme is distance. Sometimes, if one partner has to move away for work or other reasons, the relationship can't survive. For example, in the story I told earlier about Raj and Rina, distance was a factor.
Once upon a time in a small Assamese village, there was an old, abandoned house on the outskirts. Legend had it that a vengeful spirit haunted it. A young boy, out of curiosity, entered the house one night. As he walked through the dark corridors, he heard strange whispers. Suddenly, a cold wind blew past him, and he saw a shadowy figure. Terrified, he ran out and never went near that place again.
Isolation. Often, in IT horror stories, the characters are isolated. For example, a lone system administrator might be the only one in the server room when something strange starts to happen with the servers. Another common element is the loss of control. The technology that is supposed to be under human control suddenly starts acting on its own, like a self - driving car going berserk in an IT - related horror scenario.
Horror stories often feature a protagonist who is in over their head. They might start out as an ordinary person, like in 'Rosemary's Baby' where Rosemary is just a normal woman, but then they are thrust into a terrifying situation. Settings also play a big role. Abandoned asylums, cemeteries, and old mansions are common settings in horror stories as they have an air of mystery and danger already associated with them.
Fear of death is a big element in horror stories. The threat of death, whether it's from a serial killer or a supernatural force, is always present. Also, there's often a sense of helplessness. The characters find themselves in situations where they seem to have little control over what's happening to them. For instance, in 'The Blair Witch Project', the characters are lost in the woods and being hunted by an unknown entity. There's also the use of suspense. Writers build up the tension by delaying the reveal of the horror, making the readers or viewers more and more anxious as the story progresses.
Assamese short stories often have a strong connection to the local culture and traditions. They may feature Assamese festivals, folklores, and the unique natural scenery of Assam.