A CORRESPONDENT
Bokakhat: Aideu Nilambar Handique was the first film actress of Assamese cinema. She starred in the film Joymoti (1935) directed by Jyoti Prasad Agarwala. Born in 1915 in Panidihingia, Golaghat, Assam, to Nilambar and Malakhi Handique, Aideu faced significant societal challenges for her role in the film, enduring social ostracization and personal hardships. Despite her groundbreaking contribution, Aideu lived much of her life in obscurity and poverty.
It wasn’t until later years that she received some recognition, including a modest artist’s pension from the Assam Government and a commemorative plaque in 1985. Local communities also honoured her, with initiatives like the establishment of the Aideu Handique Cultural Museum in her native village. However, these efforts fell short of providing lasting recognition. Aideu passed away on December 17, 2002, at the age of 87. Her legacy serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by pioneering women in Indian cinema and underscores the need for preserving and honouring cultural history.
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