GUWAHATI, June 20 � Danseuse and actress Krishna Das Nath and artist Rabiram Brahma were formally presented the Bishnu Rabha Award 2015 at a function held at the Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra this evening.
Presenting the award, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said that the State Government was keen to promote art and culture and it was contemplating to set up a Jyoti-Bishnu Music University and a Kumar Bhaskar Barma Cultural University in the State.
Gogoi also recalled the contributions of Kalaguru Bishnu Rabha, terming him a multifaceted personality who excelled in diverse spheres such as dance, music, art, literature, sports, drama, politics, etc.
�To add to it, he was a rebel and a man of the masses, and strove for an egalitarian and composite Assamese society. There is a lot of relevance of Rabha�s life and deeds in present-day strife-torn Assam,� he said.
Gogoi added that the stream of Assamese culture would continue uninterrupted even though there were challenges. �Our culture is too strong to be overwhelmed by any force, and the legacy of artistes like Bishnu Rabha will inspire the generations to come,� he said.
In her acceptance speech, Krishna Das Nath recalled her long association with Rabha who had a major role in initiating her into the world of art and culture, including dance and cinema.
Rabiram Brahma, in his acceptance speech said that artists should never shy away from discharging their social responsibility. He urged the Chief Minister to do something for the artist fraternity of the State, especially the pass-outs from the Government Art College, who often remain without any engagement. He also urged him to start master�s degrees in Fine Arts in the Gauhati University.
Cultural Affairs Minister Bismita Gogoi, who was the distinguished guest on the occasion, also addressed the gathering among others.
The award consists of a citation, a shawl, a sarai, and Rs 1 lakh each.
