HT Correspondent
TEZPUR, Jan 31: Tezpur’s Kalaguru Samadhi Samanway Kshetra came alive with songs, dances and poetry as the 118th birth anniversary of Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha was observed with cultural fervour and reverence.
Organised by the Samadhi Samanway Kshetra Management Committee, the day-long programme began with ceremonial lamp lighting at the mausoleum. Prithiraj Rabha, senior artist, MLA from Tezpur and son of Kalaguru, along with Sonitpur Additional District Commissioner Kamal Barua and educationist Mahendra Nath Keot, formally inaugurated the tribute. Committee president Pankaj Barua presided over the event, which drew eminent personalities including Ritu Baran Sharma (ATDC Vice-Chairman), Apurba Kumar Bhattacharyya, Tezpur Municipal Board Chairperson Ramen Tamuli and several theatre and cultural activists.
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Kamal Barua highlighted Rabha’s multifaceted legacy and Tezpur’s cultural prominence, while Mahendra Nath Keot stressed the importance of keeping the ideals of Kalaguru relevant for younger generations. Ritu Baran Sharma underscored the responsibility to preserve Assamese language, literature and culture, citing icons like Rabha, Jyotiprasad Agarwala and Phani Sarma.
Prithiraj Rabha reflected on Kalaguru’s national vision and creative depth, sharing insights into Rabha’s last composition, ‘Ei Mor Xesh Gan’ (“This Is My Last Song”), drawing parallels with the Vaishnavite bhaona tradition of Srimanta Sankardeva and performed the song for the audience.
The cultural segment featured dance performances by students of Jyoti Kala Kendra Sangeet Mahavidyalaya and Prahlad Chandra Das Smriti Nrityashala and vocal tributes by Padmaja Kashyap, Pawan Das, Anil Kumar Bhattacharyya, Eva Devi Deka and Prithiraj Rabha. Recitations of Rabha’s poetry by Bikash Jyoti Kalita and Prafulla Keot added a literary dimension.
Earlier programmes were held at Tezpur Sahitya Sabha Bhawan, Ban Theatre and Majgaon Senior Citizens’ Forum, where senior citizens recalled Rabha’s life, philosophy, revolutionary spirit and artistic contributions.
The day concluded with a collective homage, reaffirming Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha’s enduring influence on Assamese culture and his timeless relevance in the state’s cultural and national life.
