GUWAHATI, Dec 13 - Coinciding with the birth centenary of Asudev, a pioneer artist of Assam, Asudev Art Foundation in collaboration with Gauhati Artists� Guild today presented the first Asudev Art Scholarship.
The scholarship was awarded to Seemanta Bhagawati, a final year student of MFA (graphics) at Kala Bhavana, Visva Bharati, Santiniketan.
Besides a cheque of Rs 50,000, a certificate and a memento were also was presented to Seemanta at the function organised at the Gauhati Artists� Guild office here.
�We thought the best way to keep the memories of Asudev alive was to give something to the society and hence the idea of the scholarship was conceived. This scholarship will be given to a student trying hard to be a part of the world of art. It will be given every year,� said Anutosh Deb, trustee of Asudev Art Foundation.
Students from Assam who are pursuing their masters in Fine Arts outside the State in any UGC/ Central government accredited institution can apply for this annual scholarship.
Seemanta thanked the foundation for the scholarship and said it would be of much help to middle class students.
Speaking on the occasion, Cultural Affairs Commissioner and Secretary Preetom Saikia informed that the government has allotted a land near Sankaradeva Kalakshetra for setting up a centre of the Lalit Kala Akademi.
�There are some equipment of the Industries Department lying at the site. Once they are cleared, we will take over the land and erect the boundary wall. The Centre will be set up by the Centre for Cultural Resources and Training with the support of CPWD,� he said.
Among others who were present on the occasion were noted poet and writer Hare Krishna Deka and working president of the Guild, Aminul Haque. An exhibition titled �Asudev�s Six Decades of Artistic Journey� was also organised on the occasion.