FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT
SIVASAGAR, Sept 18: The 94th birth anniversary of Seuj Konwar Parag Chaliha, a litterateur, lyricist, dramatist, composer, sportsman and leader - an institution in himself, was observed here in Sivasagar recently. The birth anniversary of Seuj Konwar was observed with various cultural events for the first time under the aegis of Sivasagar Chitralekha Kala Parishad at Sivasagar tya Mandir, which was established in 1899 and got the present structural shape under the leadership of Parag Chaliha in 1996.
At the beginning of the function, tributes were paid to the cultural icon by his wife and former Principal of Sibsagar Commerce College, Dipali Chaliha along with other dignitaries. Remembering the cultural legend on the occasion, noted artist Makhan Borah said that the new generation should be imparted knowledge about the ideals of Seuj Konwar. Borah said that creativity was the soul of an artiste and his creativity in every field provided immortality. Borah said that Seuj Konwar would always be alive in the hearts of the common people.
The function started with a duo performance by Urja Chaliha, student of Kala Bihar Sangeet Vidyalaya and granddaughter of Parag Chaliha and Parmita Mahanta, which received huge applause from the house-packed audience.
Dance performances on ‘Pohar Bichari Jao, by the students of Lakshmith Bezbaruah Sishu Bhawan, ‘Vande Mataram’ by the students of Holy me School, ‘Rongpurore Rongmon’ by the students of Sankardev Sishu Niketan, ‘Bajuwa Bajuwa’ by the students of Sibsagar Commerce College and ‘Kirili Kirili’ by Chitralekha Kala Parishad also enthralled the audience.
Earlier, a speech competition on ‘Seuj Konwaror Byaktitwa aru Xomajoloi Abodan’ was held where students from various educatiol institutions participated. Attending the function as distinguished guests, Principal of Holy me School Vijay Minj, Principal and Vice-Principal of Kendriya Vidyalay, ONGC vratan Mittal and Dr. RK Gupta, Professor of Sibsagar College Dr. Utpal Dutta and noted artist Mi Sarma distributed the award of the competition to Dipjyoti Gogoi of Sibsagar Commerce College (1st), Sulaksha Bhattacharyya of Holy me School (2nd) and Mrinmoyee Duwarah of Sibsagar Girls’ College (3rd), while Anushka Kalita of Kendriya Vidyalay received the Judges’ Special Award.
Saurav Chaliha, younger son of Seuj Konwar expressed his gratitude to the organizers, well-wishers and the audience for observing his father’s birth anniversary for the first time in such a unique way. On the other hand, tributes were also paid at Seuj Konwar’s dream project Chau-Lung Syukapha Indoor Stadium by garlanding Seuj Konwar’s bust by Makhan Borthakur and Kishore th and lighting lamps by Bi Goswami of Sivasagar Chitralekha Kala Parishad.