| Ganesh Gogoi Award to Hiren Bhattacharya It is a welcome gesture  on the part of the Government of  Assam to institute an award in the name of the legendary poet Ganesh Gogoi, beginning from the current year. It is also a wise decision to confer the award on the most popular and celebrated poet Hiren Bhattacharya.Popularly known as Papori Kobi, Ganesh Gogoi was a multifaceted talent, who left us at the early age of 31 on August 21, 1938. He was an eminent dramatist, an actor of unique histrionic qualities, a remarkable lyricist and composer as well as a nimble footballer. He is regarded as the people’s poet and the romantic poems from his book Papori have been quoted by the youth for decades.His books of poems include Rupjyoti, Paporir Swapna, Naoria, Awahon, Boragi, etc. His remarkable Assamese plays are – Sokunir Protisodh, Jerengar Sati, Lachit, Kuri Satika, etc. He won the hearts of the audience with his portrayal of various characters in plays like Shah Jahan, Sokunir Pratisodh, Kashmir Kumari, etc. Besides his writings, he used to compose and tune his own lyrics. His only book on lyrics is titled Geetimala. |
| Rabha’s writings in English Tezpur University has decided to publish Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha’s writings in English to globally propagate the literary outpourings of the legendary artiste. It is learnt that the decision was officially conveyed recently to Hemraj Rabha, son of the legendary artiste by Dr AK Burhagohain, registrar of Tezpur University. Incidentally, Hemraj Rabha, along with his brother Prithviraj Rabha and late mother Mohini Rabha, published two volumes of the Bishnu Prasad Rabha Rachana Sambhar under the banner of Rabha Rachanavali Prakashan Sangha in 1989 and 1997 respectively. Jogesh Das was the chief editor, while Sarbeswar Bora was the editor. It may be mentioned here that Rabha himself prepared notations of some of his songs. It is hoped that the State Government will take the initiative to collect Rabha’s songs and arrange to prepare notations of all his songs in the interest of the new generation. |
| Video film with Goalpariya Lokageet A video film with  Goalpariya Lokageet has recently hit the stands under the title of Jangli Hatir Mahut Bondhu Re. The songs of the VCD are suitably rendered by popular singer Banikona Ghosal. The music is provided by Paresh Kakati and Kanak Medhi. The songs are impressively choreographed against a scenic background of Assam’s forests and elephants. The video is certainly appealing to the viewers and has won popularity. |
| Bimurta Sandhiya The shooting of an Assamese video film, Bimurta Sandhiya has started in Los Angeles and San Francisco in the USA this week and will continue till October 15. The film depicts a true love story in Cotton College, Guwahati in 1957. The story and screenplay of the film are by producer Dr Chida Das, an NRI based in London, who hopes to start the next phase of shooting in December at Cotton College and Gauhati University, besides other locations in and around Guwahati. Ramen Choudhury is the music director of the video film. The video film in DVD format will be released in January 2010. |
| Two video films released Two audio and video films  titled Ma Kamakhya Dhamoloi Jau Bola and Sri Sai Mahima, produced under the banner of Sai Octave, were released at a function held on September 4 at the Pragjyoti Cultural Complex, Machkhowa. Popular singers Zubeen Garg and Nrina Sarma have lent their voices for the songs, under the music direction of Mrinal Kanti. The albums were released by Anjan Sarma. The release function was inaugurated with a devotional song by Jatindranath Sarma, principal of Narayan Sangeet Vidyalaya. The artistes in the video formats are – Pranjal Saikia, Purnima Pathak Saikia, Chetana Das, Jayanta Bhagawati, Rabi Sarma, Nrina Sarma and others.Distinguished guests present during the release of the video films Ma Kamakhya Dhamoloi Jau Bola and Sri Sai Mahima in Guwahati, recently. |
Apurba Kumar Das