HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Jan 17: Various parts of Assam observed Silpi Divas on January 17 with cultural programmes, tributes and activities to commemorate the death anniversary of Rupkonwar Jyotiprasad Agarwala, celebrating his enduring legacy in Assamese art, culture and society.
Our Tezpur correspondent adds: Tezpur observed Silpi Diwas with solemnity and cultural fervour on Saturday as organisations across the town paid rich tributes to Rupkonwar Jyotiprasad Agarwala on his death anniversary.
Related Posts:
From the early hours, the town resonated with Jyoti Bandana as Tezpur Sahitya Sabha, Baan Theatre, Tarun Asom Sangha, Trimurti Udyan and several other organisations organised programmes featuring music, dance and poetry inspired by the legendary cultural icon.
The historic ancestral home of the Rupkonwar at Poki emerged as a focal point of the celebrations, where day-long cultural presentations created a vibrant ambience in remembrance of his life and works.
The day began with a memorial programme at the Tezpur Sahitya Sabha premises, where floral tributes and ceremonial lamps were offered at the bust of Jyotiprasad Agarwala by Sabha president Dhruba Jyoti Das and Tezpur MLA Prithiraj Rabha.
Lamps were also lit at the busts of Kalaguru Bishnuprasad Rabha and Natasurya Phani Sarma by representatives of Baan Theatre.
The meeting, anchored by former secretary Pankaj Baruah, featured a welcome address by secretary Dr Pallab Bhattacharyya, Jyotiprasad’s songs rendered by veteran singer Ajit Das and poetry recitation by Bikash Jyoti Kalita.
Speaking on the occasion, eminent litterateur Dr Bhupen Saikia described Jyotiprasad Agarwala as a socially committed revolutionary whose creativity was deeply rooted in patriotism and national consciousness.
He recalled that despite being a worshipper of beauty, the Rupkonwar actively participated in the freedom struggle and provided leadership in cultural movements like IPTA.
Writer Nabin Chandra Lahkar highlighted Jyotiprasad’s expansive vision of culture, stating that culture encompassed all efforts that uplift human life and lead society towards harmony, while also underlining the close relationship between culture and economy.
Later, at Poki, the Sonitpur district cultural development department and Jyoti Bharati organised a colourful tribute programme inaugurated by MLA Prithiraj Rabha and District Commissioner Ananda Kumar Das by lighting lamps before the full-length statue of the Rupkonwar.
Addressing the gathering, the District Commissioner said Jyotiprasad Agarwala’s lifelong commitment to the nation, language and culture would continue to inspire generations, describing him as a true embodiment of the Assamese spirit.
The cultural presentations at Poki included Jyoti Bandana, group dances choreographed by Mayarani Bora and Manju Shri Saikia, group songs by children of Nabaprabhat Sishugriha, a tableau titled “Jyotir Jeuti” by Natasurya Foundation and performances by noted artistes such as Durgamayee Bora, Ajit Das, Sachidananda Bora, Kunjama Bordoloi Bora, Rubi Kalita and Sabita Neog, along with instrumental renditions on flute and violin.
Similar tribute programmes were held at Baan Theatre, Tarun Asom Sangha, Trimurti Udyan, Gahan Udyan, the Tezpur branch of Asom Lekhika Samaroh Samiti, Asomiya Club, Majgaon Sri Sri Sankardev Mandir and several other institutions, where Rupkonwar Jyotiprasad Agarwala was remembered through cultural offerings, reaffirming his enduring legacy in Assam’s cultural life.
Our Nagaon correspondent adds: Silpi Divas, marking the 73rd death anniversary of legendary artiste Jyoti Prasad Agarwala, was observed with reverence at Kampur on Friday.
The programme was jointly organised by the Revati Mohan Borthakur Foundation and Kampur Lekhika Samaroh at the foundation’s office.
The event began with the lighting of a ceremonial lamp before the portrait of Jyotiprasad Agarwala by Nirupama Medhi, secretary of Kampur Lekhika Samaroh, followed by a meeting presided over by vice-president Jayarani Saikia.
Welcoming the gathering, Bibhuti Bhushan Borthakur of the Revati Mohan Borthakur Foundation highlighted the significance of Silpi Divas.
The keynote address was delivered by noted poet and retired teacher Krishna Bora, who spoke on the life and enduring contributions of Jyoti Prasad Agarwala to Assamese culture and society.
Students from Kampur presented Jyoti Sangeet performances, enthralling the audience.
On the occasion, the foundation also felicitated 14 youths from Kampur who had recently cleared the SSC examination.
Several eminent personalities, including Ranka Pratap Bhuyan, Pranab Bora, Madhav Laskar, Sobharam Mazumdar and Dharitri Baruah, were present at the programme.
At Ramanujan Senior Secondary School, Nagaon, organised a cultural programme and artist felicitation ceremony to mark the 73rd death anniversary of legendary artiste Jyoti Prasad Agarwala.
The programme began with the lighting of candles before a portrait of Agarwala by prominent artiste Suwagmoni Mahanta. School principal Dilip Kumar Borah inaugurated the event, which was anchored by vice-principal Sangeeta Baruah Borah.
Students presented songs, dances and poetry recitations, along with an exhibition of paintings and sketches inspired by Agarwala’s life and works. Chief guest Nanda Singh Barkola, noted writer and senior police officer, highlighted the role of culture and education in shaping society, remarking that “culture walks in the light, while evil walks in the dark.”
As part of the programme, lyricist Surya Kumar Raja and dancer Rabin Das were felicitated for their contributions to the arts. Raja was presented with a citation, a traditional Assamese gamosa and a cheque of Rs 10,000. The event concluded with a vote of thanks and cultural performances by students and teachers.
Our Mangaldai correspondent adds: Milijuli Maina Parijat, in collaboration with the Dr Bhupen Hazarika Sangeet Academy, organised a Silpi Divas programme at its premises at Bebarghat here on Saturday to mark the 75th death anniversary of Rupkonwar Jyotiprasad Agarwala.
The day-long programme began at 9 am with floral tributes to the portrait of the legendary cultural icon.
Deepen Baruah, secretary of Mangaldai District Maina Parijat, formally initiated the proceedings, while chief advisor of Milijuli Maina Parijat Phulendra Nath Saharia offered garlands.
A remembrance tribute was also paid by Kalpana Saharia, commissioner of Mangaldai 9 No. Constituency.
Several dignitaries and members, including Deependra Kumar Sharma, president of Milijuli Maina Parijat, secretary Jitendra Chandra Deka, advisors Deben Kumar Kalita and Dibakar Goswami, joint secretary Jayanta Deka, Madan Baruah of Kharikajai Sahitya Sabha, Mun Kumar Deka, president of Dr Bhupen Hazarika Sangeet Academy, vice-president Hiramoni Deka and others, paid homage to the great artiste.
To mark Silpi Divas, competitions were organised to nurture artistic talent among children.
A poetry recitation competition was inaugurated by advisor Hari Chandra Sharma, while the Jyoti Sangeet competition was inaugurated by Dr Jayanta Nath.
In the poetry recitation competition (Category A), Ayushi Saikia secured first place, followed by Jyotishka Baishya and Neha Kamle.
In Category B, Bitupan Deka and Niloy Nupur Sarma bagged the first and second prizes respectively.
In the Jyoti Sangeet competition, Bitupan Deka stood first, Jyotishka Baishya and S Lakshmi Manav jointly secured second place, while Sahid Selim Quadri and Niloy Nupur Sarma shared the third position. A special judge’s award was presented to Priyan Shivam.
The programme highlighted the enduring legacy of Jyotiprasad Agarwala, remembered as the father of Assamese cinema and a pioneer of Jyoti Sangeet, while inspiring the younger generation through cultural activities.
Our Jorhat correspondent adds: Glowing tributes were paid to renowned playwright, filmmaker, poet and writer Rupkonwar Jyoti Prasad Agarwala on his 75th death anniversary, observed across Assam as Shilpi Divas, at Zubeen Garg Kshetra in Titabar of Jorhat district on Saturday.
The central programme was organised by the Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP). Addressing the gathering, AJYCP state president Palash Changmai highlighted the immense contribution of Jyoti Prasad Agarwala to Assamese culture and literature.
Describing Agarwala as a visionary, Changmai said that despite his short lifespan, the Rupkonwar made lasting contributions to Assam’s cultural life and was among the pioneers of filmmaking in the early days of cinema in the country.
He urged people to follow Agarwala’s ideals and work to preserve and carry forward his rich legacy.
Changmai also appealed to members of the business community who have newly settled in Assam to look beyond commercial interests and contribute to the state’s cultural and literary development.
He said they should draw inspiration from the lives and ideals of Jyoti Prasad Agarwala and Chandra Prasad Agarwala, who combined entrepreneurship with a deep commitment to society and culture.
Earlier in the programme, Changmai hoisted the flag and led the gathering in offering floral tributes and homage before the portrait of the legendary artist. A cultural programme was also held on the occasion, during which artistes rendered Jyoti Sangeet, adding a musical tribute to the remembrance ceremony.
