HT Correspondent
TEZPUR, Nov 20: A special cultural programme titled “Manuh Ho Manuh Ho”, showcasing the prose, poetry and songs of Asom Kesari Ambikagiri Rai Choudhury, was held on Tuesday evening at the main stage of the 98th Howly Rasa Festival. The event was organised by the Asam Sahitya Sabha in collaboration with the Howly Raas Mahotsav Committee and the Howly branch of the Sabha.
The programme began with floral tributes to Ambikagiri Rai Choudhury, Bihagi Kobi Raghunath Chaudhary, Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika and celebrated artiste Zubeen Garg, led by Asam Sahitya Sabha vice-president Padum Rajkhowa in the presence of Dr Sanjib Kumar Sharma, secretary of the Sabha’s Guwahati office and other dignitaries.
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In his welcome address, Hemen Das, president of the 98th Howly Raas Mahotsav Celebration Committee, said the festival—set to complete its centenary in two years—has long served as a platform of unity beyond caste, creed and language. He said the festival, which began modestly, has grown into a major cultural celebration that upholds national responsibilities and described the current programme as a reflection of that ethos.
Asam Sahitya Sabha vice-president Padum Rajkhowa, after inaugurating the session, underlined the humanistic philosophy of Ambikagiri Rai Choudhury, urging individuals to embrace true humanity. Principal Secretary of the Sabha, Debojit Bora, reiterated the Sabha’s dedication to its national duties and said the event aimed to bring the ideals of Ambikagiri, along with the contributions of Raghunath Chaudhary, Bhupen Hazarika and Zubeen Garg, closer to the younger generation. Eminent litterateur Dr Paramananda Majumdar, editor of ‘Surabhi’, spoke extensively on Ambikagiri’s vision for social harmony among the Assamese people.
Assam Cabinet Minister for Public Health Engineering, Jayanta Malla Baruah, Urban Development Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary and MLA Charan Boro attended the programme and were felicitated by the Rasa Mahotsav Committee. Both ministers conveyed greetings to devotees and festival attendees.
Several senior members of the Asam Sahitya Sabha were present, including Gobinda Kalita Convenor of the Sabha Corpus Fund, organisational secretary Dimbeswar Pathak, drama subcommittee convenor Dhrubajyoti Sarma, executive member Gobinda Chandra Talukdar and Ananga Kumar Nath vice-president of the Mother Tongue and State Language Implementation Subcommittee. Yuba Sangsad member Mintu Das, cultural subcommittee co-convener Syed Abu Matlib, noted drama director Manik Ahmed, Barpeta Zila Sahitya Sabha secretary Pradip Das, former office-bearers Ganesh Nath and Ramkrishna Talukdar, Howly Sahitya Sabha president and National Award-winning teacher Nripendra Pujari and secretary Nripen Das were also in attendance.
The evening featured vibrant performances of songs and dances based on Ambikagiri Rai Choudhury’s works by artist Kaushik Das of Barpeta and his group. The event concluded with a vote of thanks offered by Howly branch Sahitya Sabha secretary Nripen Das.
