Pratima Barua Pandey Memorial Award Conferred on Binod Khanal

GUWAHATI: The Pratima Barua Pandey Memorial Award instituted by All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) in Chandmari, Guwahati has conferred the honour on Folk artiste, Binod Khanal for preserving and promoting folk culture of the State. Every year, the event is organized on the death anniversary of the iconic singer Pratima Barua Pandey, who took Goalparia Lokageet to the world arena. The award carried a citation, memento and cash award of rupees twenty-five thousand.

Since 1980, Binod Khanal has worked for almost 25 years in various theatres across Assam including Sonam Theatre, Axomi Theatre, Bhaskar Theatre, Natraj Theatre, Aradhana Theatre, Brahmaputra Theatre, etc. His works also extend to quite a few Assamese and Nepali Dramas. He has earned accolades both nationally and internationally for his contribution towards the culture of the Gorkha Community. Binod Khanal is a renowned exponent of Folk Culture.

Binod Khanal has expressed his gratitude towards AASU for promoting the Gorkha Community in the award ceremony. “People of the Gorkha Community all over the world have appreciated the efforts of AASU for uplifting the community”’ he said. He also emphasized that folk culture should not be forgotten and should be taught in schools and colleges as a subject.

General Secretary AASU, Lurinjyoti Gogoi said, “Lokageet is the soul of the culture of Assam but the art does not get its due significance by the government of Assam. It should be promoted and taught in schools and colleges.” He also urged the government to give proper “homage to Pratima Barua Pandey and fulfill their promise of turning her residence into a cultural heritage.” He also commented that if “the government cannot deliver on their promise, AASU and the public will work on the renovation of Pratima Barua Pandey’s residence in Gauripur.”

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