GUWAHATI, Dec 4 � The Jeewan Ram Mungi Devi Goenka Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Culture was today conferred on singer Ramen Baruah and actor Tilmizur Rahman at a function organized at the ITA Cultural Complex at Machkhowa here.
On the occasion, educationist and Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the Tezpur University Amarjyoti Choudhury delivered the memorial lecture on �Film, literature and the river in between.�
Drawing a comparison between both the mediums, he said that like literature, a film too analyses experiences for meaning. �Both films and literature carry similar genes but there are significant differences. One analyses through written words while the other does this through images.
He further said that whereas films can give out the desired message through many tools like words, images, costumes, expressions, etc., literature is slow and steady and due to the mismatch between both the media, many hit literary works lose their shine when converted into films. He emphasized the need to be more creative while making a film on literary masterpieces.
�Assamese films enjoy bonhomie with formal literature. It too began with adaptation of a play Joymoti by Lakshminath Bezbarua. Similarly, Siraj and Nimila Anka were also based on plays. Dr Bhupen Hazarika�s Miri Jiyori is another brilliant example of synergy between film and literature,� he added.
�Though great traditions have been built by Assamese films, yet a novel like Jibanor Batot , so rich in imagery and content, is yet to be filmed. We look forward to films providing meaning of life like good literature,� he added.
Receiving the award, Ramen Barua said that public recognition of one�s work always encourages to do better in life. A significant name in Assamese music, Barua began his career as a playback singer in the film Smritir Parash in 1956. He has also rendered his voice in the films Maak Aru Morom, Lachit Borphukan, Lakhimi,Amar Ghar, among others. A cultural activist, he has also been involved with IPTA movement.
The awards were presented by A Sreekar Prasad, who has edited more than 60 Assamese films. Prasad, who has the repute of editing more than 300 films of different languages of different States, was the chief guest of the occasion. So far he has won eight National Awards for best film editing.
Tilmizur Rahman, after receiving the award thanked the JRMDG Trust for honouring the artistes. Rahman made his debut as a film actor in 1958 in Ronga Pulis, which won President�s Medal. He has acted in more than 15 feature films, which include Lolita, Chameli Memsaab, Bonjui, among others. Theatre is his another passion and he has acted in more than 50 stage plays.
The trust also felicitated a number of noted personalities from various fields for their contributions to the society. In the beginning of the programme, tributes were paid to Dr Bhupen Hazarika, Mamoni Raisom Goswami and Dev Anand. The vote of thanks was offered by SL Goenka, managing trustee of the trust.
