GUWAHATI, Oct 8 - Asam Sahitya Sabha UK observed the 571st Sankar Jayanti on September 28 last at Kings Langley Community Centre, London. The programme began with registration. ASSUK president Manjira Chowdhury welcomed the delegates, who came to celebrate the event from all over the United Kingdom, India, despite heavy rainfall. This was stated in a press release.
The photo of Gurujona was placed on an altar and a Guru Ashan was erected to create an atmosphere of an Assamese naamghar. Manjira Chowdhury led the naam prasanga with Borgeet and Nagara naam, accompanied by Rishi Chowdhury on the Nagara and Tarun Chowdhury on Bhortaal. Bhabani Kakati sang Borgeet and guests who attended the event joined in naam prasanga. At the end people took blessings from the Gurujona and prasad.
Manjira Chowdhury thanked everyone for their ongoing support during the last 21 years. In her welcome speech, she explained the uniqueness of Asam Sahitya Sabha UK and how all members support each other to promote Assamese language, literature and culture abroad. The guest speaker, Dr Nilima Bhagaboti who is a writer and publisher of international and national research papers gave a speech on the thoughts and the main principles of Srimanta Sankaradeva.
The cultural programme was inaugurated by the cultural secretary Geetutpala Shah and started with a Borgeet sang by one of the executive members Niralal Baruah who came from Scotland, followed by Maitreiyi Madgullya in solo violin. Geeta Borooah recited self-written poem �Nirabota Maan Mur�, Bhabani Kakati, Suravi Lahon, Nilmoni Sikdar sang beautiful melodious Kamrupi Lokageet and Borgeet and Nirala Baruah recited a self-written poem on Srimanta Sankaradeva. The highlight of the show was the Bharat Natyam dance performances by Ishani Shah and her team with the expression of three versions of Sri Krishna barnana, choreographed by their Mumbai Kalakshetra trained teacher Meena Rajgopalan.
The British Assamese sibling duo Rishi Chowdhury and Samyami Chowdhury Sarma paid a tribute to Gurujona through a Borgeet and a flute and tabla performance.
At the end of the programme, secretary Geeta Borooah offered vote of thanks to everyone present and people who have been supporting the Sabha for last 21 years and the dedicated office bearers and EC members Puspa Hazarika, Lahori Barthakur, Suravi Lahon, Pari Gogoi, Anima Sharma, Nirala Baruah, Tarun Chowdhury who had made it possible to hold such a successful event.
