Dibrugarh Pays Tribute to Jyoti Prasad Agarwala on Shilpi Divas
Literary and cultural organizations came together at the Tamulbari Tea Estate in Dibrugarh on Saturday. They observed Shilpi Divas to commemorate the 75th death anniversary of Assamese cultural icon Jyoti Prasad Agarwala. People affectionately call him 'Rupkonwar'. The event took place at his birthplace.
Steady Flow of Visitors at Jyoti Udyan
Jyoti Udyan within the Tamulbari Tea Estate in Lahowal saw a steady stream of visitors throughout the day. Lahowal lies 15 kilometers from Dibrugarh city. People paid homage to the pioneer of Assamese cinema and theatre. Agarwala's ancestral home within the estate houses his notable artefacts. It attracted significant footfall as visitors explored his birthplace. They viewed musical instruments and personal belongings of the legendary artist.
Day-Long Programme Organized by Dibrugarh Sahitya Sabha
The Dibrugarh Sahitya Sabha organized a day-long programme. It featured floral tributes at Agarwala's bronze bust. Representatives from Dibrugarh Jana Sanskritik Samaj and Dibrugarh Moina Parijat joined the commemoration. An open-air cultural programme showcased renditions of Agarwala's timeless compositions. Performers sang songs like 'Ture Mure Alokare Jatra,' 'Seuji Seuji Seuji O,' and 'Luitor Parore.'
Ratul Buragohain, secretary of Dibrugarh Sahitya Sabha, shared his thoughts. He said, "Jyoti Prasad Agarwala remains an eternal source of inspiration for Assamese art and culture. His contributions transcend generations. It is our duty to preserve his legacy. His songs and films continue to shape Assamese cultural identity. Celebrating Shilpi Divas at his birthplace connects us directly to his roots and genius."
Historical Context and Preservation Efforts
In June 2019, then Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal unveiled a commemorative bust at the estate. This marked Agarwala's 117th birth anniversary. The Tamulbari Tea Company has initiated the 'Jyoti Tirtha' project. It aims to preserve and restore his birthplace and residence.
Life and Legacy of Jyoti Prasad Agarwala
Jyoti Prasad Agarwala was born to Parmananda and Kiranmayee Agarwala on June 17, 1903. His birthplace was the Tamulbari Tea Estate. He spent his formative years in the tea garden before studying in Tezpur and Kolkata. Agarwala travelled to Edinburgh in 1926 to study Economics. He then spent seven months in Germany learning filmmaking.
In 1935, he created 'Joymoti,' the first Assamese film. His other notable work includes 'Indramaloti.' The multifaceted filmmaker and playwright composed nearly 300 songs. He passed away on January 17, 1951, in Tezpur at the age of 47.
