GUWAHATI, Dec 12 � The prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Culture instituted by the Jeewan Ram Mungi Devi Goenka Public Charitable Trust was conferred on two eminent artistes today. The awards honoured Bina Prasad and Paresh Baruah for their long time contribution in the sphere of drama and photography respectively, were given away by the distinguished actor Saumitra Chatterjee.
Each of the awardees received a citation, a memento and Rs 50,000, applauded by an audience who represented the cultural fraternity of the region.
Receiving the award, Bina Prasad who had an illustrious career in various forms of drama said she was grateful to the people who had recognised her �humble efforts in the cultural sphere�, and hoped that deserving people would be honoured in the times ahead.
Paresh Baruah, one of the well-known names in the Assamese film industry, said that he had a long and varied innings, and was associated with a range of film and television projects.
In his address as a guest lecturer, noted Assamese playwright and Padma Award winner Arun Sharma reflected on the contribution of Assamese cultural icon Bishnu Prasad Rabha, describing him as a multifaceted genius who�s sway over the masses was supreme.
�Rabha had genuine concerns for the masses, especially for those who were exploited�a revolutionary who wanted a just and equitable social order,� Sharma remarked. In his view, Rabha was an epitome of simple living and high thinking who was devoted to the uplift of the oppressed.
He was not just a remarkable artiste with a wide repertoire, but a statesman par excellence and a revolutionary, Sharma noted.
Rabha was devoted to the cause of the toiling classes and his songs were tribute to them, and he was a true son of the soil. But recognising the rich culture of the region, he wanted to take it to a world audience.
Although Rabha was the owner of sizeable land holdings he was never a capitalist, and he was happy to hand over 2,500 bigha of land to the dispossessed, Sharma mentioned.
Referring to Bhupen Hazarika�s views on Rabha, who had a close association with the cultural icon, the noted playwright mentioned, �He was a Bodo, an Assamese, but a citizen of the world,� by virtue of his extensive experience and humanistic perceptions.
The function at the ITA centre Machkhowa also saw special recognition awards being presented to Hiren Bora, Soumen Singha Roy, Manju Borah, Kamal Kataki, and GL Agarwalla.
