JORHAT, Jan 14 � Maniram Sonowal, noted folk artist of Sonowal Kachari culture, preserver and researcher of traditional songs and dances of Bodo Kachari, Sonowal Kachari and Dimacha Kachari people, has been selected for the Bakul Bon Award, 2012 for his contribution in the last three decades towards popularising Kachari traditional culture among the young generation.
This was announced by Samiran Bordoloi, president of Bakul Bon Trust, here today. The award, instituted by the Bakul Bon Trust, Assam, carries Rs 10,000 in cash and a citation. The Bakul Bon Award is conferred every year in memory of �Bakul Bonor Kabi� Ananda Chandra Barua and his better-half Pramila Barua. The name of the winner is declared on Uruka, the eve of Magh Bihu.
A press release from Soumitra Puzari, secretary, Bakul Bon Trust, stated that the award conferred on experts in the fields of dancing, music, art and literature, who dedicate themselves towards the preservation and promulgation of the art, folk culture and literature of the aboriginal people of the region.
The award will be given to Sonowal, a resident of Nakhat Gaon under the Lengeri mouza of Moran, on January 27, the death anniversary of Ananda Chandra Barua, at the centrally organised Bakul Bon Divas at the Chandrakanta Handique Bhawan here.
Sonowal was born in 1945 at Nakhat Gaon under Lengeri mouza. In 1962, he joined the then Assam BSF and took part in three wars. He was awarded with four medals for his courage shown in the battlefields. In 1984, he took voluntary retirement from his job due to family problems.
Since then Sonowal has been working incessantly for preserving and promulgating the traditional folk cultures of Kachari people. He has authored a book on the folk songs of various communities and tribes of Assam. He has also produced a VCD on the Bahua dance of the Sonowal Kachari community in 2010. He has also travelled across the entire North-east region to collect the old songs of various tribes.
