TEZPUR, June 20 - The Asam Sahitya Sabha (ASS) today observed the Rabha Divas on the 50th death anniversary of the cultural icon at his crematorium on the bank of the Brahmaputra at Kolibari here.
Taking part in the programme, members of different organisations, including AASU and AJYCP, paid their rich tributes to the Kalaguru.
Paying tribute to the revolutionary cultural icon, late Bishnu Rabha�s son and artist Prithi Raj Rabha said he was not only a singer, a playwright and a poet, he was also a litterateur who drew the attention of all through his unparalleled works.
He also urged the ASS to give proper recognition to the three cultural icons Kalaguru Bishnu Prashad Rabha, Rupkonwar Jyoti Prasad Agarwala and Natasurya Phani Sharma.
�After the allocation of Rs 25 lakh sanctioned for the development of Kalaguru�s crematorium during the Congress government�s tenure in the State, no further financial assistance has been provided for the development of Kalaguru�s memorial. Still, I am optimistic enough that the present government will do something for the development of the same,� said Prithi Raj.
On the other hand, Sabha president Paramananda Rajbongshi said the Sahitya Sabha would put pressure on the State government to develop the Kalaguru�s memorial site and the Sabha will also extend its helping hand in this regard.
Sonitpur DC Narsing Powar said the district administration would provide all necessary help to develop the Kalaguru�s memorial, thereby keeping alive his contributions to the Assamese culture.
Paying floral tribute to the Kalaguru, former Rajya Sabha MP Kumar Dipak Das said the government needs to give importance in preserving Rabha�s writing, songs, poems, etc.
On the other hand, another event was held at the Tezpur Sahitya Sabha Bhawan here wherein Sabha president Rajbongshi released a souvenir that was edited by senior journalist Pankaj Barua.
Kokrajhar Correspondent adds: Along with the rest of the State, the people of Kokrajhar also observed the Rabha Divas today with various programmes.
An open session and a cultural programme were held in this connection at the Basic Training Centre auditorium here. The programme was organised by the Kokrajhar district administration in collaboration with the Cultural Affairs Department, BTC.
The programme was inaugurated by Arun Borgoyari, noted litterateur of Kokrajhar, by lighting a lamp.
Speaking on the occasion, Borgoyari said Rabha was a tireless cultural worker who dedicated all his energy to the welfare of the people of the State.
