TEZPUR, June 17 - The Tezpur Sahitya Sabha observed the 113th birth anniversary of Rupkonwar Jyotiprasad Agarwala at the Tezpur Sahitya Sabha Bhawan here today. At the beginning of the function, tributes were paid to the cultural icon by the office bearers of the Tezpur Sahitya Sabha along with other dignitaries including Minakshi Bhuyan, Arun Nath, Krishna Das Nath, Nalini Baruah, retired principal of Darrang College, Abani Kumar Sharma, noted historian, Madhab Chandra Das, professor, Tezpur University, Ananta Nath, Bankim Sharma and others.
Remembering the cultural legend on the occasion, Minakshi Bhuyan said that children should be imparted knowledge about the songs and poetry of Rupkonwar Jyotiprasad Agarwala. Bishnu Prasad Rabha Award winner and noted actress Krishna Das Nath said that creativity is the soul of an artiste and this creativity provides immortality to the artist. Rupkonwar Jyotiprasad Agarwala had this quality for which he would always be alive in the hearts of the common people, she said, adding that children should be taught the songs of Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha, Jyotiprasad Agarwala and Bhupen Hazarika.
The president of the Tezpur Sahitya Sabha, in his speech, said that Jyotiprasad Agarwala introduced the Assamese modern song on the basis of the folk song. �At the age of only 14 years, he could show his immense talent. He was a real artiste who stood for the cause of the common people,� he added.
The function started with the Asam Sahitya Sabha anthem, Sira senehi mur bhasha janani, sung by the Sahitya Sabha members and conducted by the secretary of the Tezpur Sahitya Sabha, Pankaj Baruah.
The birth anniversary of the Rupkonwar was also observed at �Poki� (Jyoti Bharati). A new Assamese film, Cactus, directed by Arup Manna and produced by Dr Gupendra Mohan Das, was also screened in the first cinema hall of the State, �Jonaki,� on the occasion.
