Glowing tributes were paid to dramatist, actor, director, litterateur and politician late Lakshyadhar Choudhury on the occasion of his birthday on October 14 at Kumar Bhaskar Natya Mandir, Guwahati. The birthday of this versatile genius, who was born on the auspicious day of Dwipaneeta, is celebrated as ‘Kitapar Din’ (Day of Books) by his admirers.

As a mark of reverence to this great artiste, fourteen books authored by upcoming and veteran writers were released on that day at the venue. A science-based children’s book written by Choudhury’s only daughter Anuradha Das (Mainu) was also released at the function where litterateur Atulananda Goswami was the chief guest.

The function got under way with a chorus composed by Dr Anjanjyoti Choudhury, one of the four worthy sons of Choudhury. The same function saw the staging of an edited version of Choudhury’s epoch-making drama Raksha Kumar which was first staged in 1940 at Choudhury’s native place North Guwahati.

It may be mentioned that, after creating the plot of Raksha Kumar, Choudhury directed the play and himself enacted the role of the protagonist drawing applause as a dramatist and actor of substance.

In Guwahati, the trail-blazer was first staged at Bhaskar Natya Mandir, Uzanbazar in 1946 before being staged upteen times at renowned theatre halls in the entire length of the Brahmaputra Valley — from Sadiya to Dhubri.

Besides Choudhury, his eldest son Dr Amarjyoti Choudhury and youngest son Anupjyoti Choudhury also directed the play and enacted the role of Raksha Kumar themselves.

The drama that day was also staged at the venue to commemorate Choudhury’s birth anniversary as Anupjyoti, who has carved a niche for himself as a director, acted in the role of Raksha Kumar — the protagonist — in the absence of regular actor Bhaskar Tamuli who was down with some ailment. Anupjyoti, however, had to be content with his acting as he had rehearsed for just two days as the main actor of the drama. The others in the play included Raj Sarma (Ravan), Prabhat Dutta (Ram), Dhiraj Mazumdar (Indrajit), Rupam Chetia (Bibhisan). The play was staged under the banner of New Art Players. This was the fourth drama directed by Anupjyoti in the last two years — the others being Piyoli Phukan, Sei Gosh Jopa and Tongighar.

An avid recitationist, Anupjyoti has two audio CDs of recitation — Monot Porene Arundhuti and Puhorotkoi Endhar Bhal, while the third CD of recitation is being released soon.

Simanta Bhagawati