Nipon Goswami passes away; PM Narendra Modi condoles demise

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Veteran actor Nipon Goswami passed away at a city nursing home today due to cardiac arrest. He was 80. He leaves behind his son and daughter-in-law.

His mortal remains will be consigned to flames at Nabagraha crematorium with state honours tomorrow.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the demise of the veteran actor. The Prime Minister tweeted, "Saddened by the passing away of Shri Nipon Goswami, who made a pioneering contribution to the Assamese film industry. His diverse works will be remembered by several film lovers. Condolence to his family and admirers. Om Shanti."

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also condoled the death of the actor, and said, "I am saddened by the demise evergreen actor of the Assamese film industry. In my role as a child artiste in the film 'Kokadeuta Naati aru Haati', I came in contact with the veteran. I felt proud of that."

Born on September 3, 1942, at Kolibari in Tezpur, he started his acting career as a stage actor and later established himself as a film actor. His father Chandradhar Goswami was a famous actor and his mother Nirupama Goswami was a singer. He had his primary schooling at Kolibari LP School. He then went to Tezpur Government HS School.

After graduating in Arts, he went to Calcutta for an interview at Pune Film Institute. In 1965, he went to Pune for his acting training. Subhash Ghai, Navin Nischol, Shatrughan Sinha and others were his classmates.

Goswami debuted in the Assamese film industry as a child artiste in the movie 'Piyali Phukan', directed by Phani Sarma in 1957. As a lead actor, Sangram was his first Assamese film. It was a hit movie. The film 'Dr Bezbaruah' released in 1969 brought him recognition as a star to act in many movies. He also acted in a few Hindi and Bengali movies as a character actor.

Some of his other popular Assamese films are Mukuta, Bohagor Dupuria, Ajoli Nobou, Aparupa, Ghar Sangsar, Siraj, Shakuntala aru Sankar Joseph Ali, Hiya Diya Niya, Bukur Majot Jole, Jibon Surobi etc.

He worked in seven Hindi movies – Do Bhai, Jaggu, Do Anjaane, Birodhi, Kaal Sandhya, Daman and 18.11-a Code of Secrecy. He was actively involved in mobile theatres, notably, Abaahan, Kohinoor, Hengul, and Shakuntala. He appeared in a few TV serials like 'Writu aahe writu jaai'.

The Bengali firms he worked for are Devanjali, Mou Sher, Duronto Chorai etc.

His body was taken to his Silpukhuri residence and then to Jyoti Chitraban where hundreds of his admirers paid their last respect. At 9 am on Friday, his body will be taken to Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra and then to the Nabagraha crematorium.

Several personalities and organizations condoled his death. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal tweeted, "The polestar of Assamese cinema is no more. Deeply saddened to learn about the demise of veteran actor Nipon Goswami. A star since the 1960s, Nipon da had captivated the hearts of the audience and his death brings an end to a golden era. My solemn condolences to his family, friends and followers. May his soul rest in peace. Om Shanti."

Among those who condoled the death of the actor include AGP president Atul Bora, BJP state president Bhabesh Kalita, APCC president Bhupen Bora, AIUDF president Badruddin Ajmal, Cultural Affairs Minister Bimal Borah, Education Minister Ranoj Pegu, IPR Minister Pijush Hazarika, Directorate of Information and Public Relations-Assam, AASU leaders, AJYCP leaders, AJP, AITC Assam, All Assam Primary TET-qualified Teachers' Association, Assam State Primary Teachers' Association, Asom Shilpi Sanmilani, New Art Players, Kamrup Natya Samiti, etc.

Also Read:   Bhaben Baruah Award-2021 conferred to veteran actor Nipon Goswami

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