GUWAHATI, Feb 18 - Aarohan, a centre dedicated to the all-round development of children, in association with the Directorate of Cultural Affairs, Assam, is organising the Dr Bhabendra Nath Saikia Memorial Drama Festival, a three-day theatre event at Rabindra Bhawan here from February 20.
Prominent writer and film director Dr Bhabendra Nath Saikia had established a children welfare trust in 2001 for cultural and social uplift of the children of Assam. Every year, the birthday of Dr Saikia is celebrated through a number of programmes that include special events and competitions for children.
On February 20, on the occasion of the 88th birthday of Dr Saikia, his life-size statue will be unveiled in the Aarohan campus at Basisthapur here by State Chief Secretary Kumar Sanjay Krishna. Eminent litterateur Dr Lakshmi Nandan Bora will attend the function as the chief guest.
The Dr Bhabendra Nath Saikia Memorial Award, which was instituted last year, will be given to promising poetess Monika Das. Despite her physical disability, Monika has carved a niche for herself in the world of poetry. Her poetry books including Edinor Babe Mok Apunar Preyashi Buli Bhabok and Tumar Hatot Hat Thoi, and her poems published in different magazines and newspapers have received accolades from readers.
The award carries Rs 25,000 in cash, a citation, a memento and a collection of books. The award function on February 20 will be followed by a children�s cultural event, a Sattriya dance-drama Narasingha and a mime presentation.
On the second and third days of the event, different theatre groups will present plays at Rabindra Bhawan.