STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: Veteran filmmaker of Assam Shankarlaal Goenka, well-known for dubbing Bhupen Hazarika’s movie Pratidhwani into the Khashi language with the name Ka-swarati, was felicitated by the Bhupen Hazarika Cultural Trust on Wednesday.
Addressing the media, Manisha Hazarika, on behalf of the trust, said, “The trust is grateful to him for his cooperation and advice. So the felicitation programme is just a token effort to thank him for his sincerity towards Sudhakantha and his contribution towards the rich cultural heritage of Assam.”
After being felicitated in the presence of many eminent personalities, including Vidya Rao, Minu Bania, Arati Sharma, Dr. Mangal Singh Hajowari, Gautom Sarma and many others, Goenka said, “The Khashi people should be grateful to Bhupenda for what he brilliantly portrayed in the movie Pratidhwani. What made me evinced interest in dubbing the movie into Khashi is the cultural assimilation portrayed in the movie that should be experienced by both Assamese and Khashi people.”
Present in the occasion, Axam Xahitya Xabha president Paramananda Rajbongshi said, “Even though Bhupen Hazarika isn’t with us physically, yet no one can deny the fact that the Assamese identity can stand with its own pride at a global scenario as long as we carry him with us.”
Addressing media the Manjula Hazarika said, “Like the past a few years, this year too we’re going to celebrate Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhupen Hazarika’s 93rd birth anniversary as Samannay divas on August 7 and August 8 at Bijni College in association with the local people of Bijni. This year the trust is going to confer Samannay Award on eminent sculptor Dr. Janak Jhankar Narzary. The Bhupen Hazarika Hitoishi Award will be conferred posthumously on Bijayshankar Das.”