HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, June 20: State minister for Power, Cooperation, etc., Nandita Gorlosa paid tribute to the legendary cultural icon Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha at a program held at Cultural Institute Hall, Haflong, on Thursday. The program was organised by the district administration and was attended by dignitaries such as Mohet Hojai, chairman of North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC); Donphainon Thaosen and Probita Johori, executive members of NCHAC; Rupali Langthasa, NCHAC MAC; Simanta Kr Das, district commissioner; Madhumita Daolagupu, ex-principal of Haflong Government College; and Gayetri Naiding, inspector of schools.
During her speech, minister Nandita Gorlosa spoke about the great legendary icon Bishnu Prasad Rabha, emphasising that he was not just an artist but also a spirited freedom fighter. She encouraged students and the public to understand the greatness of his personality and other icons of Assam. She stated, “Bishnu Prasad Rabha’s name as an artist, musician, dancer, lyricist, orator, and litterateur has resonated in the minds of every person not just in Assam but across the nation.” She further urged students to study about the life of Bishnu Rabha.
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District commissioner Simanta Kr Das welcomed all the guests and spoke briefly about Kalaguru and his significant contributions to society. He highlighted that Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha was a multifaceted genius whose immense contributions to Assamese culture, literature, music, dance, and social reformation continue to inspire even today.
Chairman of North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC), Mohet Hojai, also spoke about Rabha’s contributions and expressed his thoughts on the multi-talented and versatile personality of Kalaguru.
Several participants from Assam Sanskritik Mahasangram (ASM) performed Rabha Sangeet during the program.
The Central Rabha Divas celebration, which took place in Tezpur, including the state central program, was broadcasted live throughout Assam, including in Haflong. The chief minister’s live speech was attended by people across the state.
Similarly, members of New Art Players (NAP), a leading socio-cultural organisation of the state, observed Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha Divas on Thursday evening at its auditorium in a dignified manner.
At the outset, general secretary Rathindra N Bhattacharya welcomed the gathering, and president Ajoy Kumar Datta paid homage to the legendary figure. Ramen Barua, an eminent music director and senior member of NAP, lit the ceremonial lamp in front of Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha’s photograph and offered floral tributes in remembrance. Other members and guests also paid their respects with floral tributes. The ceremony included the felicitation of children from the NAP family for their outstanding achievements in various examinations held this year.
In honour of the cultural icon of Assam, NAP presented ‘Mukti Hawk Nirjatitor’ – a musical program conceptualised and directed by Anupam Choudhury, a renowned music director and senior member of NAP. The program featured performances by established and upcoming artists including Aboni Bora, Mallika Barua, Kritanjali Goswami, Rubul Kalita, Spandan Chakraborty, Anupama Sarma, Sunayana Goswami, Humayun Choudhury, Semima Khatun, Nibedana Katoky, B Palki, Eva Choudhury, Niroda Chakraborty, Kalyan Kalita, and instrumentalists Bhabajyoti Das, Pradip Das, and Bimal Bharali. The audience was captivated by the performances of songs, recitations, and dances. Melody Patgiri served as the anchor for the musical program. The event concluded with the rendition of the state anthem.
Our Hojai correspondent adds: Along with the rest of Assam, Hojai also observed the 55th death anniversary of Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha under the aegis of Hojai district administration at Sankardev Nagar in Hojai, Hojai Unit of Sanskritik Mahasabha, and Assam Sahitya Sabha at Sahityarathi Lakshminath Bezbarua Bhawan in Newmarket in Hojai, and various other organisations on Thursday. At the district headquarters, district commissioner Lachit Kumar Das began the commemoration session by lighting a lamp and paying floral tributes in front of the portrait of the cultural icon. Addressing the gathering, the DC spoke about the unmatched contribution of cultural icon Rabha. He highlighted the importance of the day and recalled the contributions of the cult, stating that Kalaguru was himself an institution, a versatile genius as well as an expert in politics, sports, architecture, acting, dancing, and writing. He said it is our responsibility to emulate his contribution.
During the program, guest artists performed Rabha Sangeet and highlighted the lifelong contributions of Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha through music. Administrative officers and employees, including students of various schools, eminent personalities, and the additional commissioner, marked their attendance.
On the other hand, at Sahityarathi Lakshminath Bezbarua Bhawan in Hojai, under the aegis of Hojai Sanskritik Mahasabha and Hojai Sahitya Sabha, homage was paid to the literary and cultural genius Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha. At the beginning of the program, the members of both organisations paid tribute to Kalaguru by garlanding his bust and lighting a lamp. Various competitions like painting, poetry recitation, and dance competition were also organised, where students from various schools participated with enthusiasm. Simultaneously, tribute was paid to Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha under the aegis of Sanskritik Mahasabha at Lanka within Hojai district.
Our Nagaon correspondent adds: Along with the rest of the state, various organisations, educational institutions, cultural organisations, and NGOs observed the death anniversary of Bishnu Prasad Rabha as Rabha Divas with day-long programs in Nagaon on Thursday.
The district unit of Gana Natya Sangha, Sadou Asom Gramya Puthibharal Sangstha, Gram Vikas Parishad, Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chatra Parishad, Asom Silpi Kanon, and others garlanded the portrait of Bishnu Prasad Rabha and paid tribute to the great Assamese soul, Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha. Additionally, the organisations and institutions commemorated his life and contributions to the Assamese nation through his songs, music, and writings.
In addition to the commemoration program, the organisations and cultural institutions conducted drawing competitions, Bishnu Prasad Rabha song competitions, and poem recitation competitions among school and college students.
The Nagaon district unit of Gana Natya Sangha, in association with Jonaki Kobi Sanmilan and Sahitya Alochona Chakra, organised a commemoration program at the Nagaon Press Club auditorium. Dipti Kr Baruah, district president of Gana Natya Sangha, chaired the program. Noted Assamese poet and physician Dr Prayag Kr Saikia, Dwijendra Nath Hazarika, president of Nagaon Zila Kobi Sanmilan, academician Mridupaban Bora, Rupak Mazumder, president of Jonaki Kobi Sanmilan, Gauri Ballav Goswami, Dr Binapani Neog, poet Ashokram Bhattacharya, and senior scribe Kanak Hazarika attended the program as special guests.
Dr Prayag Kr Saikia spoke on the life and contributions of Bishnu Prasad Rabha, highlighting Rabha’s ideology and philosophy of life.
Our Biswanath Chariali correspondent adds: Like other parts of the state, Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha Divas was observed in Biswanath Chariali under the aegis of the Biswanath district administration with pomp and gaiety on Thursday. The central programme of the Biswanath district administration was held at the conference hall of Biswanath Commerce College. The programme began with the offering of floral tributes and the illumination of a ceremonial lamp by Dhrubajyoti Das, ADC, Biswanath, who delivered a welcome address. This was followed by a chorus performed by the students of Chariali Adarsha Vidyapeeth.
Dr Neha Yadav, district commissioner of Biswanath, placed a garland on the portrait of the legendary icon and presented a life sketch highlighting his contributions in the fields of art, culture, and literature. Anjan Bora, CRCC, conducted the proceedings of the meeting, which was attended by Pushpankar Patir, Bichitra Das, assistant commissioners, along with officials from the district administration and other dignitaries.
Our Kokrajhar correspondent adds: Along with the rest of the state, Rabha Divas was observed with fitting programs scheduled at various locations across the entire Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) districts on Thursday, commemorating the contributions and dedication of Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha, who significantly contributed to the welfare and upliftment of greater Assam in his time.
In Chirang, the All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) Central Committee, in association with the Chirang district committee of ABSU, observed Rabha Divas at the Kajalgaon ABSU office complex. The program commenced with floral tributes to Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha. Khwrwndao Wary, vice president of ABSU, delivered the welcome address, extending greetings to the invited guests and participants. The event was chaired by Dipen Boro, president of ABSU. Dr Anil Kumar Boro from Gauhati University graced the occasion as the chief guest.
Notably, 15 prominent personalities representing various communities, including Bodo and Rabha, were warmly welcomed and felicitated by the student union as a symbol of integration among citizens.
ABSU president Dipen Boro emphasised that Rabha Divas was centrally observed in Chirang district to honour the contributions and sacrifices of Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha, who dedicated himself to the welfare and development of the common masses. He reiterated that ABSU and the general public would always remember Rabha’s philosophy and ideology of sacrifice and contribution. Rabha, he noted, was a great leader who consistently worked for the wellbeing of grassroots communities.
In Kokrajhar, the district committee of ABSU, in collaboration with the North Kokrajhar Anchalik Committee ABSU, observed Rabha Divas at the North Kokrajhar Anchalik Committee ABSU office in Debargaon. ABSU leaders, members, and local citizens paid homage to Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha on his death anniversary.
Pramod Boro, chief executive member of Bodoland Territorial Region, also paid tribute to Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha, recalling his contributions and sacrifices for the welfare and integration of the common masses. He highlighted Rabha’s dedication to the upliftment of marginalised communities and emphasised that Rabha’s vision for social upliftment with dignity and integrity would continue to inspire citizens in the future.
