MCJ dept, TU pays tribute to Phani Sarma

HT Correspondent
TEZPUR, Aug 1: In commemoration of the 52nd death anniversary of Natasurya Phani Sarma, the dept of Mass Communication and Journalism, Tezpur University offered a floral tribute to the doyen of Assamese theatre. Phani Sarma, who started his theatre career as the gatekeeper of Tezpur’s historic Baan Theatre went on to become the flame that lit the way for all generations in the spheres of theatre and cinema in Assam. In the event, all the faculties of the department including the students and the non-teaching staff paid their deepest respect to Phani Sarma for his creations that reflected the identity, culture and the social beliefs of the Assamese society. Phani Sarma was conferred with the title ‘Natsurya’ in honour of his contribution to Assamese theatre. Natsurya Phani Sarma played the lead villain, Gathi Hazarika, in the first Assamese film ‘Joymoti’ in 1935 directed by Rupkonwar Jyotiprasad Agarwala. He made outstanding contributions to the Assamese film industry with his performance and direction in ‘Piyali Phukan’ in 1955 and the production of ‘Siraj’ with Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha in 1948. His work will always be remembered and revered among Assamese theatre and cinema advocates.