HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Jan 4: Writer and Bhaona artiste Arup Saikia was honoured as an International Bhaona Artiste at the inaugural International Satradhikar Conference held at Satsangi Damodar Alga Satra in Barkuriha, Nalbari. Established by Damodardeva in 1592, the Satra is one of Assam’s oldest spiritual and cultural institutions.
The first-ever International Satradhikar Conference was organised under the aegis of Satra Sanskritik Samaroh Samity, Namghar Sanskritik Samaroh Samity and Dihanam Sanmilan Samity of Assam. During the ceremony, Saikia was felicitated with a plaque, cheleng and gamosa in recognition of his outstanding contributions to Assam’s traditional culture through Bhaona.
Arup Saikia is widely acclaimed for promoting the ideas of Sankardeva and the values of Assamese neo-Vaishnavism across communities in Assam, India and abroad. He has performed Bhaona in English for the first time from Assam and showcased his art in international venues including Moscow, Dubai, Singapore, Finland and Hong Kong.
The conference was presided over by Achyut Goswami as president and Phanidhar Kalita as executive president, with Bimal Rai Medhi serving as Secretary. The event, organised for the first time in Assam, aimed to highlight the unsung talents of the state and celebrate its rich cultural heritage.






