HT Correspondent
TEZPUR, June 24: Union Minister and former Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, during his maiden visit to the historic Baan Theater in Tezpur on Monday, assured that the iconic cultural institution will receive a significant facelift under an ongoing multi-crore development project. The minister interacted with office bearers of the Baan Theater, widely regarded as the highest cultural platform in the northern belt of the region, and took stock of the developmental activities currently underway.
Established in 1906, Baan Theater has long been associated with some of Assam’s greatest cultural and literary luminaries including Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha, Natasurya Phani Sarmah, Rup Konwar Jyoti Prasad Agarwala, and Padmanath Gohain Baruah. It continues to serve as a cornerstone of Assamese cultural identity.
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Sonowal was warmly welcomed by the Baan Theater fraternity. Former president Mahendra Nath Keot felicitated him with a phulam gamosa, a memento, and a book chronicling the history of Baan Theater. Present on the occasion were General Secretary Jitumoni Deva Choudhury, Vice President Dilip Borah, and other key members. Choudhury gave a detailed account of the theater’s history and contributions, drawing the minister’s attention to its unmatched legacy in Assam’s cultural landscape.
Speaking on the occasion, Sonowal commemorated the contributions of artists who helped build Baan Theater’s legacy. “Baan Theater has succeeded in preserving the identity and dignity of the Assamese nation. To further elevate the global presence of Assamese culture, institutions like Baan Theater must be strengthened,” he remarked.
On Sunday evening, the Union Minister also visited the Asomiya Club, another heritage institution of Tezpur, established on 1st Bohag 1915 by Padmanath Gohain Baruah. The minister was received by Club President Aruna Devi and several dignitaries from the district’s sports fraternity including technical and administrative heads of bodybuilding, weightlifting, powerlifting, armwrestling, yoga, and gymnastics associations.
During the interaction, Sonowal expressed pride that Tezpur continues to uphold its century-old cultural and institutional legacy. He assured full support to strengthen the club’s role in promoting Assamese pride. The club’s Vice President and internationally renowned sportsman Pankaj Bora guided him through the premises. The Minister also visited the office of the 53rd Assam State Weightlifting Championship reception committee and assured assistance for the upcoming event.
Earlier on Sunday night, after offering prayers at Tezpur’s historic Mahabhairab Temple, Sonowal met with representatives of various local organisations at the Circuit House. Delegations included the executive body of Tezpur Sahitya Sabha led by President Dhrubajyoti Das and Secretary Pallab Bhattacharya, Tarun Asom Sangha’s President Dr. Bhubaneswar Saharia and advisor Mahendra Nath Keot, among others. The Minister’s engagements underscored his commitment to preserving and promoting Assam’s rich cultural and institutional heritage, with assurances of continued support to Tezpur’s landmark organisations.
