GUWAHATI, June 22 � Glowing tributes were paid to the memory of Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha at a largely attended public meeting held on Monday at the Panjabari Junior College under the auspices of the Kamrup Mahanagar Zila Sahitya Sabha in collaboration with the Brihattar Panjabari Sahitya Sabha.
Presiding over the meeting, DN Chakravartty, senior journalist and president of the Kamrup Mahanagar Zila Sahitya Sabha, described Rabha as the greatest revolutionary of the 20th century Assam. Chakravartty said that instead of studying and analysing the character and contributions of Rabha in a stereotype manner, it would be worthwhile to weigh the manifold contribution and rare genius of Bishnu Prasad with a new outlook and non-conventional approach.
The chief guest, Krishna Rai Medhi, eminent author and former president of the Kamrup Zila Sahitya Sabha, said that it was unfortunate that a dispassionate and scientific study was yet to be made regarding the genius and contribution of Kalaguru. As a result of this, some people prefer to describe him only as a hardline Communist while the other group worship him only as an idealistic poet and artist.
Rai Medhi said that Kalaguru Rabha was greater than his earthly contributions. Hemen Talukdar, vice-president of the Kamrup Mahanagar Zila Sahitya Sabha, while lighting the lamp and laying floral wreath at the portrait of the Kalaguru, dwelt at length on the life and struggle of the revolutionary artist.
Earlier, Dimbeswar Pathak, secretary of the Kamrup Mahanagar Zila Sahitya Sabha, welcomed the guests and explained the purpose of the meeting.
Deba Prasad Talukdar, well-known poet and Mahendra Bora, president of the Brihattar Panjabari Sahitya Sabha, in their speeches, described Rabha as a great patriot, humanist and social reformer.
They said that Rabha sang, struggled and painted to uphold the cause of the poor and the downtrodden.
Sushila Kalita, Santanu Deka, Bharati Burman and Anjumoni Saikia presented Rabha songs while Koseswar Bora recited a poem describing the life of Rabha during the underground days. Bipin Bhattacharyya, secretary, Brihattar Panjabari Sahitya Sabha, offered the vote of thanks.
