Assam pays glowing tribute to Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha on 56th death anniversary

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KOKRAJHAR: Along with the rest of the state, Bishnu Rabha Divas was observed on Friday across Kokrajhar district with deep reverence and enthusiasm, commemorating the 56th death anniversary of Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha, the legendary cultural icon of Assam.

Under the initiative of the Cultural Affairs Department in collaboration with the Kokrajhar District Administration, the celebrations took place simultaneously at five key locations, including Science College, Kokrajhar; Girls’ College, Baukungri; Janata College, Serfanguri; Gurudev Kalicharan Brahma College, Tipkai; Parbatjhora; and Gossaigaon College, Gossaigaon. The central state-level programme held in Nalbari district, which was graced by the Chief Minister, Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, was also live-streamed at all the venues.

At the event held at Science College, Kokrajhar, Assistant Professor Ratul Deka of Bodoland University delivered a reflective address on the life and legacy of Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha. He spoke of Rabha’s enduring influence, noting how his cultural and social contributions continue to be celebrated more than five decades after his passing. The programme was attended by several dignitaries and officials.

JAMUGURIHAT: Like other parts of the state, the death anniversary of Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha was observed in various parts of Jamugurihat amid enthusiasm on Friday. The educational institutions of the greater Naduar area, including THB College, Jamuguri HSS, Paschim Jamuguri HS, Panpur HSS, Ranghachakuwa HSS, North Jamuguri HSS, Tupiya Panchgaon Academy, Dekorai HSS, Nagsankar HS, Dakhin Nagsankar HS, Chatia HSS, Chaita College, and Gyan Vikash Academy, besides Abhijatri Kala Kendra, Sundaram Sanskritik Gosthis, Natun Sahitya Parishad, Jamuguri regional committee, and Jamuguri branch of Assam Xahitya Xabha, observed the death anniversary amid various cultural activities and oration programmes. A series of competitions were organized amongst the school students to mark Rabha Divas by the educational institutions.

TEZPUR: In alignment with state-wide celebrations, Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha Divas was observed in Tezpur with a series of vibrant events organized by the Department of Cultural Affairs in collaboration with the Sonitpur District Administration.

The day began with a musical tribute from 6:00 am to 7:00 am, during which the timeless songs of Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha were broadcast across the town through the public address system of the District Information and Public Relations Office, setting a reflective and reverent tone for the day’s observances.

At 9:00 am, a solemn tribute ceremony was held at the memorial site of Kalaguru at Kalibari. The event was graced by Prithiraj Rava, Tezpur MLA and son of the cultural icon, along with Sonitpur District Commissioner Ankur Bharali and other dignitaries, who paid floral tributes and offered homage to the legendary artiste and freedom fighter.

The ceremony featured a captivating dance performance by artistes of the Palash Chandra Das Dance Workshop and soul-stirring renditions of Bishnu Rabha’s compositions by local musicians, bringing the spirit of his work alive.

To further spread the cultural legacy of Kalaguru, five specially-branded vehicles were ceremonially flagged off by MLA Prithiraj Rava and DC Ankur Bharali. These vehicles were deployed across the five legislative assembly constituencies of the district to broadcast Bishnu Rabha’s songs from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, while also engaging students and educational institutions in the initiative.

The day concluded with the live telecast of the Chief Minister’s address from the state-level central programme held at the Government Garden Higher Secondary School Playground in Nalbari, marking a meaningful end to a day dedicated to honouring one of Assam’s most revered cultural legends.

DHUBRI: On the death anniversary of Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha, Rabha Divas was observed across various educational institutions in five sub-divisions of Dhubri district. As part of the observance ‘Rabha Sangeet’ was widely played among the public. Dhubri District Information and Public Relations Department broadcasted ‘Rabha Sangeet’ using fixed loud speakers systems to mark the occasion.

Under the initiative of the Dhubri District Administration and with the cooperation of the Department of Cultural Affairs, mobile performances of ‘Rabha Sangeet’ were conducted in the five sub-divisions of Dhubri, Golakganj, Gauripur, Bilasipara, and Birsing Jarua.

In each sub-division, specific educational institutions hosted these performances, where eminent personalities delivered valuable speeches highlighting the life, contributions, and cultural legacy of Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha in Assamese society.

Apart from these, several schools and colleges also organized quiz competitions, essay writing, and drawing contests to mark Rabha Divas.

NAGAON: Bishnu Rabha Divas was celebrated in various places of Nagaon district on Friday. The district administration also celebrated Rabha Divas and paid tribute to him. District Commissioner Debashish Sharma was present on this occasion. In the same vein, Janagosthiya Sanskritik Ekya Manch celebrated Rabha Divas with great pomp at the provincial level in the premises of Good Shepherd Home School. On this occasion, the children of the school presented Rabha songs. Representatives from Golaghat, Lakhimpur, Jorhat, etc. areas participated in this Rabha Divas programme and elaborated on the importance of the day and the work of Bishnu Rabha.

Janagosthiya Sanskritik Ekya Manch also honoured the principal of the school, Dr Nitai Pradhan, by presenting him with a phulam gamchha, seleng, and a citation on receiving the doctorate degree. Throwing light on Rabha Divas, Dr Nitai Pradhan said that on this day, we remembered him for his excellence in art and culture, but we forget the message of his life and his ideology. Dr Pradhan said that Bishnu Rabha took inspiration from the public and worked as an inspiration for the public.

Rana Barkakoti, Mathura Gayari, Rinku Bonali, Pinky Mirdha, Hira Lal Gupta, Biplavi Bora, Anoop Bhiswal, Neha Bhiswal, etc., contributed to making this programme successful.

DEMOW: The Kalaguru Bishnu Rabha 57th Smriti Divas was celebrated in HCDG College situated in Nitaipukhuri on Friday. Under the patronage of IQAC and the Assamese Department of the college and in collaboration with Nitaipukhuri Branch Xahitya Xabha and Swargam Sangeet School, a Bishnu Rabha Song competition was organized in the college among the students of nearby educational institutions and students of HCDG College. The Smriti Tarpan in front of the photo of Bishnu Rabha was done by Bipin Dutta, President of the College Management Committee, as well as president of Nitaipukhuri Branch Xahitya Xabha. The programme was inaugurated by Dr Birinchi Kumar Borah, Principal of HCDG College.

Dr Tarun Gogoi, Assistant Professor of the History Department at HCDG College, was the keynote speaker. Pramod Konwar, Secretary of Swargam Sangeet School, and Dr Indrakshi Phukan, Assistant Professor of the Political Science Department at HCDG College, were the judges for the competition.

Nayanjit Panging got the first prize, Krishna Borah got the second prize, Priyanka Borah got the third, and Shilpi Buragohain got the consolation prize.

BOKO: Kamrup District’s All Rabha Students Union (ARSU) along with All Rabha Women Council and Sixth Schedule Demand Committee (SSDC) jointly organized the death anniversary of Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha as Rabha Divas at Jarihat village along the Assam-Meghalaya border in Boko on Friday with daylong programmes.

Kamrup district committees observed Rabha Divas with the support of the South Luki Regional units of the ARSU, ARWC, and SSDC, and Jarihat Youth Association. In conjunction with Rabha Divas, ARSU and other organizations hoisted their flags, paid floral tributes to martyrs and also to the portrait of Bishnu Prasad Rabha.

After that, ARSU organized an open session with Rabha students who passed in the final with first division in High School and Higher Secondary examinations recently. The open session started with 71 artistes performing. The open session was inaugurated by the Vice-President of the ARSU, Pardip Rabha, and as a keynote speaker, Bhubin Rabha (Folk Culture Practitioner) along with ARWC President Lalita Rabha, SSDC President Dashanan Rabha, and Ranjan Baruah, Director of the North-East Youth Foundation was present.

ARSU Kamrup District Secretary Ashok Nongbag said that a total of 235 Rabha students from Kamrup District who passed in first division in the recently announced HS and HSLC exams were felicitated with Rabha traditional dress pazars, certificates of appreciation, and a tree plant each. The event was attended by Boko Revenue Circle Officer Divas Bordoloi, Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council Chairman Sonaram Rabha, general members Ramakanta Rabha, Sumit Rabha, and many other dignitaries.

There was also a cultural evening by local artistes in memory of Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha. The regional units of ARSU and ARWC, and SSDC leadership of Kamrup district along with locals also took part in the programme.

Also Read: Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha’s birth anniversary celebrated with cultural performances in Doomdooma

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