TEZPUR, March 20 - Noted artiste and a dedicated socio-cultural activist of historic Tezpur town Pankaj Bordoloi passed away last night at a hospital here after a prolonged illness. Late Bordoloi was suffering from cancer and was under treatment for the last two years. As his condition worsened last evening, he was admitted to the Times Hospital here. However, he breathed his last at midnight at around 12.15. He was 61.
Born on December 24, 1959 to Haren Bordoloi and late Maniki Bordoloi of Bindukuri-Kothalguri Tea Estate in Sonitpur district, Pankaj Bordoloi after his schooling in the local school graduated from Darrang College here. Besides his academic career, late Bordoloi was always fond of music and could carve a niche for himself in the society as a perfect musician and artiste. Along with his own creation, he worked for the preservation of songs of Bishnu Rabha and Jyotiprasad Agarwala and tried to present it in a new form. A talented artiste, late Bordoloi was also a good badminton player.
In the midst of his poor health, during the later part of his life he did a lot in the field of culture. He acted in Zubeen Garg�s film Kanchanjangha and also acted in the Assamese movie Grahan. He was closely connected with a number socio-cultural organizations including Kolabhumi, Ban Theatre, Tezpur Sports� Association, Nupur Nityangana and Sanskar Bharati.
Rich tributes were paid to the artiste by different organizations including Darrang College, Sonitpur Press Club, Sonitpur Journalists� Union, Ban Theatre, the district administration, Tezpur Sahitya Sabha, Tezpur AASU etc.
His last rites were performed at Parwa Rajahuwa Smashan today.
Bordoloi leaves behind his wife and a daughter.