GUWAHATI, July 4 - The Eva Achow Memorial Award, instituted by socio-cultural organisation Anuprerana, was presented to Purnima Pathak Saikia, well-known film and stage actress, at a function held at the Bishnu Nirmala Bhawan here last evening.
Veteran journalist DN Chakravartty chaired the meeting in which Deepjyoti Saikia, secretary of the organisation, explained the purpose of the function. He said that Anuprerana has, for the last six years, been honouring over 20 prominent artistes and successful persons in different fields from across the North East.
Presenting the award to Purnima Pathak Saikia, eminent writer and cultural activist Ratna Ojah recalled his close association with Eva Achow, a brilliant cinema and stage actress who came into the limelight with her memorable performances in films like Sakuntala, Beula, etc.
He said that it is most proper that an actress like her has been honoured in this fashion to perpetuate her memory.
Kapil Bora, Chetana Das, Kirti Kamal Bhuyan and former Station Director of AIR, Guwahati, R Rahman, recollected their association with both Eva Achow and Purnima Pathak Saikia.
Chakravartty, in his presidential speech, said that it was most unfortunate that Eva Achow had passed away at an early age when she was in the pinnacle of her dramatic prowess and performances. He spoke about 80 stage plays performed by Purnima Pathak Saikia, who had acted in 33 Assamese feature films, of which seven won National Awards.
As a television programme executive, Purnima Pathak Saikia produced over hundred dramas in Assamese, Hindi and English, besides producing 30 documentaries and several live programmes for children and women.
The actress, in her acceptance speech, referred to the encouragement and inspiration she had received from the likes of Dr Bhupen Hazarika, Phani Sarma, Jyotiprasad Agarwala and Bishnu Rabha. She also spoke about the fine tastes and gestures of the Assamese audience, who gave tremendous encouragement to her during her entire career.
