GUWAHATI, Nov 15 - Tributes were paid to the great Assamese thinker and essayist Dr Banikanta Kakati on the occasion of his 52nd death anniversary today.
The function held at the Guwahati Press Club under the auspices of Guwahati Sabita Sabha, was presided over by Dr Banikanta Sarma, president of the Sabha.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr Kanak Chandra Saharia of Gauhati University analysed the various aspects of contributions of Dr Kakati as a pioneer critic, lucid commentator and a guide for the new generation.
He also mentioned the contributions of Dr Kakati as a social scientist and as a keen observer of the growth and development of the Assamese language and formation of the Assamese nationality.
Prof Upendranath Sarma and Ramanikanta Deka in their speeches recollected their association with Dr Kakati as a beloved teacher and as a source of inspiration for their later day life.
Earlier, inaugurating the function, senior journalist DN Chakravartty described Dr Kakati as one of the most brilliant students of Calcutta University and the greatest exponent of the independent existence and the great heritage of the Assamese language and literature dating back to the pre-Christian era.
Chakravartty said that Dr Kakati was born at a time when the Assamese community was driven to slumber and was greatly confused about the independent existence of their mother tongue. Dr Kakati gave a new dimension and colour to the Assamese language after the preliminary works completed by Srimanta Sankaradeva, and other great thinkers and poets from 15th century onwards.
He also referred to the intellectual resurgence created by Dr Kakati as a professor of Cotton College and of Gauhati University.
Dr Sarma in his presidential remarks dwelt at length on the multifaceted genius of Dr Kakati and his great contributions towards development of the Assamese language and literature. He also spoke on his monumental works on the origin and development of the Assamese language and his research works on Sankaradeva and his life and teachings.
Dr Roman Sarma, general secretary of the Sabha, welcomed the guests. Students of Assam Veda Vidyalaya recited Vedic hymns at the beginning of the event.
