JORHAT, Jan 12 � The Bakul Ban Award is going to be conferred on noted instrumentalist Ustad Dugdha Malakar of Dubigaon, Bajali in Barpeta district. This was stated by Samiran Bordoloi, president of the Bakul Ban Trust, Assam and Saomitra Pujari, secretary, Bakul Ban Trust, Assam at a function held on the premises of the Chandrakanta Handique Bhawan here today.
Bordoloi said that the award would be presented on January 27 on the Bakul Ban Divas to be celebrated centrally in Jorhat. The award consists of a citation, one metal edict and cash. Malakar has been an expert player of all traditional purcussion instruments including the khol, dhol, tokari and Kamrupi dhol. His art of playing the khol in accompaniment with the Devadasi dance is unique and has been appreciated by all. He learnt the art at Parihareswar Devalaya.
Malakar started his career when he was only 13 years old. He joined a Jatra Party and met great personalities like Braja Sarma, Phani Sarma, Achyut Lahkar, Jyotiprasad Agarwala and Bishnu Prasad Rabha. His numerous disciples are still working with various mobile theatres in Assam.
The septuagenarian artist has not received any government recognition till date. Malakar has to work for daily wages for livelihood, said Bordoloi.