DOOMDOOMA, June 21 - Along with the rest of the state, Bishnu Rabha Divas was observed here on Thursday.
The Doomdooma unit of Asam Sahitya Sabha (DSSS) organised a special programme at the Sahitya Sabha Bhawan on Thursday evening.
The programme started with the lighting of lamp and offering tributes before the portrait of Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha by DSSS president Arjun Baruah.
Addressing the gathering, noted writer and poet Dr Meena Devi Baruah spoke on various aspects of Rabha�s life and works.
A cultural programme held on the occasion began with a chorus composed by Bishnu Prasad Rabha and presented by the students of Lotus Academy. Several items, including song , dance , recitation etc. were presented in the programme which was anchored by DSSS secretary Deben Deka.
Earlier, DSSS felicitated veteran sportsperson and organiser Lalit Gogoi and meritorious student Deepjyoti Bhatta in the programme. Retired principal of Doomdooma College Beena Deka, retired Headmistress of Doomdooma Girls� High School Beenapani Gogoi and Bimala Baruah, president of Tinsukia district committee of AJYCP Surajit Moran, assistant secretary of Doomdooma Press Club Manoj Baruah and several others participated in the programme.
HAILAKANDI: Bishnu Rabha Divas was observed in schools across Hailakandi district on Thursday.
The day was celebrated at Lakshirbond HS Madrassa in a befitting manner in the presence of a large number of students and teachers. The programme started with lighting of the ceremonial candle and garlanding of portrait of the Kalaguru. Senior teacher Jahir Ahmed Choudhury discussed about the invaluable contributions of Bishnu Prasad Rabha to the Assamese culture and literature. Arabic teacher Kamrul Islam Laskar presented a narrative about the life and works of the radiant personality. He also recited a poem on Bishnu Prasad Rabha, setting a perfect ambience.
A quiz competition was held among the students of Class IX and X on Bishnu Rabha�s life and contribution to Assamese culture.
At ICMC High School, senior teacher Nalini Kumar Tamuli threw light on the multifaceted artiste and revolutionary singer of Assam.
Adarsha Vidyalaya, Aloicherra celebrated the day by paying rich tributes to the cultural icon and revolutionary figure. Teachers Dwtimoni Devi and Sangita Goswami rendered the beautiful creation of Kalaguru � Mor Kobitar Chanda Lagi.
The day was observed at KTC Girls� High School, Panchgram Town High School, Nityanandapur High School, Chiporsangon Public High School, GCRBM High School, CMHS School, SAM High School, PK Girls� HS School, GSM HS School, Hailakandi Town High Madrassa, SK Deb High School and JCHS School.
TINSUKIA: Along with the rest of the State, in Tinsukia district too Rabha Divas was observed by various organisations on Thursday. The Divas was also observed in Tinsukia District Jail where the inmates took part in a cultural programmes, besides other artistes. The programme began with lighting of the lamp in front of the portrait of Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha by Additional Deputy Commissioner Pranabjit Kakoti.
On the occasion, the district administration with the cooperation of the State Directorate of Cultural Affairs observed the Divas with a day-long programme at Manav Kalyan Puja Bhawan here. Similarly, various socio-cultural organisations of Tinsukia observed the day at the site of Bishnu Prasad Rabha statue at Panchali here with programmes like prabhat pheri, garlanding of the statue of Kalaguru, rally with sur bahini and lighting of ceremonial lamps and cultural show at the site of Dr Bhupen Hazarika�s statue at Thana Chariali in the evening.
GAURIPUR: Under the aegis of Gauripur branch of Asam Sahitya Sabha, Rabha Divas was observed by organising a memorial meeting on the premises of Gauripur Public Library. The meeting started after paying floral tributes to Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha. The meeting was chaired by KC Roy, president of the branch. The objectives of the meeting were explained by Manash Chakraborty, secretary of the branch. A large number of dignitaries, including retired ADC Azad Ali Sheikh, Ashoka Chakraborty, Anjali Brahma, Satyabrata Chakraborty, Dhirendra Nath Adhikary, Ambu Nath Sharma and a few others took part and discussed about the contributions of Kalaguru for the welfare of the downtrodden of the society.
The branch also felicitated rank holders of the HSLC and HSSLC examinations and students who secured highest marks in Assamese and 100% marks in Mathematics.
Malabika Dihidar Sharma enthralled the audience with her melodious Rabha songs and Daijee Roy by her dance.
Rabha Divas was also observed by the Dhubri branch of Asam Sahitya Sabha with a day-long programme at Dhubri Sahitya Sahbha Bhawan.
UDALGURI: The Bishnu Rabha Divas was also observed here at Orang in Udalguri district on Thursday.
The event which was hosted by Orang unit of Asam Sahitya Sabha was kicked off by hoisting of the ASS flag by Jayram Bora, president of Orang unit of ASS followed by floral tributes before the portrait of Bishnu Prasad Rabha. The women members also enthralled the gathering with Rabha Sangeet.
Speaking on the occasion, retired Principal of Asomjyoti College, Keshab Chandra Baruah spoke on the importance of the day and recalled the contributions of the cultural icon, stating that the Kalaguru was himself an institution, a versatile genius as well as an expert in politics, sports, architecture, acting, dancing and writing. He added that Bishnu Rabha was a good politician and a great social reformer and urged the government to establish a museum to preserve his historic creation.
The event also witnessed the release of a collection of poem Sagor Tolir Manik by former president of Udalguri district committee of ASS, Manik Sarma. The poems were written by litterateur Jitendra Nath Deka. The poet himself recited a poem on the occasion.
Meanwhile, the Udalguri Lekhika Santha also observed the day here at the AJYCP office premises in the afternoon where the local women members recited poems of Rabha and presented two chorus.
A Correspondent
NAGAON: Along with rest of the State, various organisations as well as institutions of the district on Thursday observed Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha Divas with a day-long programme. Various organisations and cultural institutions organised competitions on Rabha Sangeet at various places of the district.
Silpi Samaj, Asom observed the day at Nagaon Govt Middle School campus. Amitav Sengupta started the programmes by lightning the ceremonial lamp followed by a talk on Bishnu Prasad Rabha�s life and works. A grand cultural show on Bishnu Rabha�s song and music too was held on the occasion.
Shankarjyoti Sakha Sahitya Sabha in association with the pioneer NGO of the district, Gramya Puthibhoral Sangstha observed the day with a variety of programmes. The members of the organisation conducted a cleanliness drive at the office campus of Gramya Puthibhoral Sangstha and also launched a plantation drive at the office campus. Similarly, Rupranga Sangskritik Gusthi of Choiali too conducted a specific competition on Rabha�s songs and poems at its office campus situated at Choiali where many dignitaries of the district like veteran music composer Jnanya Bezboruah were present.
ANN Service adds:
SIVASAGAR: Nestled in the lap of nature, 364 no. Thekeratol Mising Primary School in Bharaluwa Tinali, Dikhowmukh, 30 kms from here, observed the Bishnu Prasad Rabha Divas on Thursday with great enthusiasm.
The function, presided over by Ramesh Dutta, began with a dance symbolising unity among the Seven Sisters of the North East. The speech and debating competitions were also held among the students.
Manoj Kumar Borthakur, speaking as the invited speaker, threw light on Bishnu Prasad Rabha�s life and works and said that Rabha, mostly a self-taught man, could achieve something dignified only because there was a serious undercurrent of creative zeal inside the vagabond man.
The meeting was also addressed by Hiren Dutta, a noted environment worker, Bidyut Vikash Baruah and D Konwar.
In Fuleswari Girls� HS School, Dipanjoli Mahanta, Principal of the school lit the ceremonial lamp in front of the portrait of Bishnu Prasad Rabha. The students presented songs and dances on the occasion.
Gossaigaon: Along with rest of the State, the 50th death anniversary of Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha was observed at Gossaigaon under the aegis of Gossaigaon branch of Asam Sahitya Sabha on Thursday at the Kamal Nath Club-cum-library complex, Gossaigaon.
As per the programme, Asam Sahitya Sabha flag was hoisted by Aswini Kumar Sarma at 9:15 am. Rabha�s portrait was garlanded by Parshu Kalita, ex-president of Gossaigaon branch of Asam Sahitya Sabha at 10 am. Drawing and recitation contests were held in two groups, viz., senior and junior.
Kalaguru�s commemoration meeting was held under the presidentship of Aswini Kumar Sarma. Shankar Chandra Das, secretary of the branch explained the purpose of the meeting. Putul Chandra Das introduced the guests before the audience. Amarsing Koch, president of Rabha Sahitya Sabha central committee inaugurated the book written in Assamese on Rabha by Padma Shri awardee Dr Kameswar Brahma in the presence of the author.
