HT Correspondent
TEZPUR, Nov 15: Veteran Assamese actress Bakul Das, once hailed by ‘The Statesman’ as the “Nargis of Assam,” was felicitated on Wednesday by the Trimurti Udyan Committee at a warm ceremony held at her residence. The event coincided with the birth centenary celebrations of Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika and was graced by former Education Minister Brindaban Goswami.
The felicitation was part of the Committee’s programme marking the installation of Dr Hazarika’s ashes at Trimurti Udyan, a memorial dedicated to three icons of Assamese culture—Rupkonwar Jyoti Prasad Agarwala, Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha and Natasurya Phani Sarma.
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Bakul Das, now 92, began her artistic journey at the age of eight. She made her stage debut in Jyoti Prasad Agarwala’s celebrated play ‘Karengor Ligiri’, portraying Nagini Sowali. She earned acclaim for her role as Chitralekha in ‘Sonit Kunwari’ and spent 15 years (1942–1957) performing with the Baan Theatre, appearing in classics such as ‘Sonit Kunwari’, ‘Piyoli Phukan’, ‘Sei Batedi’, ‘Dewala Devi’ and ‘Chanakya. Her performance in ‘Sonit Kunwari’ at the first National Theatre Festival organised by the Sangeet Natak Akademi in New Delhi (1954) won the troupe the Best Ensemble Award with legendary actor-director Prithviraj Kapoor reportedly “deeply astonished” by her talent. She also acted in Assamese cinema, including Hiren Choudhury’s ‘Sarabajan’.
In an emotional recollection, Das spoke of her long association with Dr Bhupen Hazarika, recalling how the musician once stayed three months at her Kalibari residence where he composed the immortal song “Koto Juwanor Mrityu Hol.”
At the event, Brindaban Goswami presented her with a traditional Assamese gamosa, seleng, a warm shawl, a basket of fruits and a citation honouring her contributions to Assamese theatre and cinema. He highlighted that th
e felicitation symbolised the fulfillment of Dr Hazarika’s vision of a memorial alongside the three cultural titans of Tezpur and lauded Das and her late husband Saud Gangaram Das for their contributions to Assam’s social, cultural and sporting arenas.
Born in Faujdari Patti, Nagaon, Bakul Das is recognised as one of Assam’s earliest and finest stage and screen actresses and has been honoured by the Government of Assam and numerous cultural institutions for her artistic achievements.
The ceremony was attended by veteran actress Tarulata Das, Bhuban Goswami of the Trimurti Udyan Committee, social worker Bimal Saikia, Pankaj Baruah, acting president of the Sonitpur Press Club and several other dignitaries.
