Silpi Diwas observed across Assam today

To commemorate the death anniversary of noted Assamese playwright, songwriter, poet, writer and film maker from Assam ‘Rupkonwar’ Jyoti Prasad Agarwala’s death anniversary, Silpi Diwas is being observed across Assam today.

A number of different cultural activities, including competitions of Jyoti Sangeet and seminars are being organized across the state to mark the occasion. Artist Forum of Assam organized an exhibition in Tezpur, Ithe birthplace of the cultural icon of Assam, witnessed a number of renowned artists like Noni Borpujari and Pankaj Bordoloi taking part in the event.

Jyoti Prasad agrawala was considered as Assamese cultural icon, deeply revered for his creative vision and output and is popularly called the Rupkonwar of Assamese culture. In fact, he is regarded as the founder of Assamese cinema for Joymati.

He established the Chitraban Studio at the Bholaguri Tea Estate and began filming the movie Joymoti around the end of 1933. This was the first film from Assam. The film, released in 1935, was based on a play by Laxminath Bezbarua about the heroic Ahom princess Sati Joymoti imprisoned and tortured by a repressive Ahom Swargadeo.

He expired  on 17 January 1951 at 'Poki', Tezpur.

Meanwhile, a number prominent people of Assam took to Social Media to remember and pay tribute to the icon. Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Former cM Tarun Gogoi and ministers Siddhartha Bhattacharjee were the first ones to convey their homage.