GUWAHATI, March 3 - For his unique contributions in promoting Jyoti Sangeet and Rabha Sangeet in their purest forms, noted singer Pankaj Bordoloi was conferred the Swabhab Shilpi Amulya Kakati Memorial Award, 2019, in a function organised at the Vivekananda Kendra auditorium here today.
The award, given annually in the memory of playwright, writer, director and popular actor Amulya Kakati, has been instituted by the Students-Artistes-Litterateur Welfare Trust of the All Guwahati Students� Union (AGSU), the Guwahati wing of AASU.
Bordoloi received the award from veteran Assamese actress Mridula Barua. The award carries a memento designed by noted sculptor Biren Singha, a gamosa, a cheleng chador, an eri jacket, a bouquet of flowers and a cash award of Rs 25,000.
Hailing from Tezpur, Pankaj Bordoloi�s association with music started at an early age under the patronage of his mother Maniki Bordoloi. An exponent of folk music, Bordoloi has to his credit a huge collection of Bihu, Tokari, Bangeet and other forms of Assamese folk songs. This apart, his way of presenting the songs of Jyoti Prasad Agarwala and Bishnu Prasad Rabha is widely considered as the pure forms of Jyoti Sangeet and Rabha Sangeet.
Speaking on the occasion, Bordoloi appealed to the younger generation to connect to their roots through Assamese folk music. �For those who want to pursue the music of Jyoti Prasad and Bishnu Rabha, I suggest that they should try to maintain the purity and originality of the songs,� he said.
Thanking the students� body for the �first award of his life�, Bordoloi said the AASU and its sister concerns have been doing wonderful work by giving due recognition and encouragement to the singers, artistes and writers who are either from far-flung corners of the State or prefer staying away from publicity.
He enthralled the gathering with songs like Jautijugiya Dhan. Mridula Barua reminisced about her personal association with the late Amulya Kakati. �I believe Pankaj Bordoloi is a worthy recipient of the award instituted in Amulya Kakati�s name,� she added.
AASU chief advisor Samujjal Bhattacharyya said Amulya Kakati was among the persons who inspired and encouraged the students to use the AASU�s platform for providing service to society.
Lauding the initiatives of the Trust, he said the student body would continue to work for the welfare of artistes and students.
AASU president Dipanka Kumar Nath also spoke on the occasion.
Amulya Anubhab, a documentary made on Amulya Kakati�s life, was also screened on the occasion.
