Noted cultural figure Jiban Borah no more

A CORRESPONDENT

LAKHIMPUR: Prominent cultural star, acclaimed artiste, noted cine producer and director of the State, Jiban Borah is no more. He breathed his last around 7.40 on Monday night due to old-age ailments, leaving behind a void in the cultural arena of Lakhimpur as well as the State. He was the permanent resident of Ward No. 9 in North Lakhimpur town. He was 88.

Born at Panigaon in 1933, Jiban Borah was a figure with multiple talents. He was a writer, dramatist, actor, singer and a efficient organizer. In 1972-76, Borah acclaimed a unique position and popularity across the State by producing two Assamese feature film named Opaja Sonar Mati and Polashor Rang. He produced Polashor Rang in 1976 with his own story, screenplay and direction under the music direction of Sudhakantha, Bharat Ratna Dr. BhupenHazarika. The two films were produced under the banner of PanigaonPragati Cine Production at a time when the requisite facilities for the same were not available in the district. This movie Polashor Rang managed to win National Award.

In addition, Jiban Borah wrote 12 one act plays, 11 full dramas, and translated 7 dramas. He wrote two novels titled EiDeshOpajaMatiJanameJaname and BridhashyaTaruniBharjya. Sur AruChanda, Agni Dikshya, Polashor Rang and Jon AruJonaki are his other books which have already been published. More than five books are ready for publishing. He also wrote lots of articles in various newspapers, journals and magazines of the State in addition to composing songs and poems.

In addition to his cultural and literary life, Jiban Borah contributed much to the social life too. He took part in the India's Freedom Movement, shouldering the responsibility of secretary of the TelahiKamalaboriya Student Congress from 1944 to 1948. While studying in Agricultural University in Jorhat, he wrote his maiden one act play named Botol. During the university life, he consecutively bagged the best awards as dramatist, Bihu dancer and actor. He shouldered the responsibility of president of acclaimed social-cultural institution of the State, PanigaonPragatiSangha, which was established in 1924. He was also the president of BharatiyaGanaNatyaSangha, Cine Asha and LakhimpurSangeetMahavidyalaya. Despite serving to the society as Subdivisional Officer of the Agriculture Department, Jiban Borah continued his cultural practice with dedication and conviction.

He is survived by two sons, two daughters along with a host of relatives. His demise cast a pall of gloom across the district. Hundreds of prominent figures across the State and many organizations expressed deep condolence at his demise.

The Lakhimpur district unit of All Assam Students' Union (AASU) organized a special programme at North Lakhimpur Boys' HS School playground on Tuesday in association with its North Lakhimpur regional unit to pay him last homage. In the programme, the people of Lakhimpur and more than hundred organizations and institutions, including the central, district and regional committees of AASU, AsomNatyaSanmilan, AJYCP, North Lakhimpur Press Club, District and Uttar LakhimpurXahityaXabha, BharatiyaGanaNatyaSangha, ManabAdhikariSangramSamiti, Lakhimpur AJP, JatiyaYuva Shakti and Marwari Yuva Mancha paid him homage.

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