Srimanta Sankardev, 2020 awards to writer, Kathak artiste

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The State government has nominated two personalities – Prof. Bhabaprasad Chaliha and noted Kathak artiste Jayanta Kastuar – for the Srimanta Sankardev Award, 2020. The award will be given away between January 3 and 10, 2021. The award carries Rs 5 lakh in cash, a gold medal and a citation. Born at Naharkatia in Dibrugarh district on August 20, 1934, Bhabaprasad Chaliha joined Gauhati University in 1969 as an Assamese lecturer, and superannuated in 1999 as the Head of the Department. He also rendered his service in Gauhati University for three years as an extension professor, besides rendering services as a guest faculty. He has to his credit 40 books edited and translated by him, besides 300 essays in Assamese, English and Sanskrit. Some of his books are Sankari Sanskritir Adhyayan, Sankari Sahitya Samiksha, Madhab Debor Sahitya, Madhab Debor Adhyayanar Bhumika, Sankaradeva: Studies in Culture, Sankaradeva: Saint Poet of Assam, Sankaradeva: The Master Builder, Aspect of Assam Vaishnavism etc.

Born on January 26, 1956 at Jamshedpur, Jayanta Kastuar was the former secretary of Sangeet Natak Akademi. He did contribute a lot in the inclusion of Xatriya dance as a classical dance form. He has immense contribution in the spread of traditional performing arts in the country.

The Srimanta Sankardev Award is a national award being given away by the State government since 1986.

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