HT Correspondent
NAGAON, Jan 2: Eminent Assamese photographer Utpal Dutta will be conferred with the prestigious ‘Amulya Manna photography award’ for the year 2025.
The Amulya Manna Smriti Raksha Samiti announced the award here on Thursday, stating that the award will be presented to Dutta on January 19, coinciding with the death anniversary of eminent photographer late Amulya Manna.
The award, instituted in 2021, is given annually to a distinguished photographer in memory of Amulya Manna.
Previous recipients of the award include notable photographers like Nalini Barua, Samir Choudhury, and Mahendra Barua, as well as film cinematographer Sumon Duwara respectively.
The award, sponsored by Amulya Manna Memorial Trust and UB Photos, consists of a cash of Rs. 20,000, a citation, and a memento.
Utpal Dutta, a noted photographer and film critic, has been actively involved in photography since his college days.
His photographs have been published in various newspapers and magazines, including the notable Assamese magazines like “Rupkar”, “Bishmoy”, “Asom Bani”, etc.
Dutta has also worked as a still photographer for several Assamese films, including “Kolahal” and “Sarathi” directed by Dr Bhabendra Nath Saikia. His photographs have been used in the posters of those films.
In addition to his photography work, Dutta has also made short films that have been screened at national and international film festivals.
He received the National Film Award earlier for his short films.
The Amulya Manna Smriti Raksha Samiti was formed in 2015 by a group of cultural enthusiasts to preserve the memory of Amulya Manna.
The committee has been organising various cultural programs and events to promote photography and art in Assam, a press note stated.