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| Mohini Rabha, wife of Kalaguru Bishnu Rabha, greets Debojit Saha at her residence in Tezpur. File picture |
Voice of India Debojit Saha writes how some of the state’s inspirations have been forgotten
Not very long ago, I had written how I had received news of the death of Mohini Rabha, widow of Kalaguru Bishnu Rabha, just before I was to perform at a programme in Guwahati. Why am I mentioning it again? Well, I want to say something, which I feel very deeply about.
During my trip to Bishnu Rabha’s house in Tezpur a year ago, I was surprised to find the family of the legend living a very ordinary life.
There was hardly any sign to suggest that here lived a man who was a poet, actor, rebel and inspiration for hundreds of people.
Rabha’s family is still better off than the family of another legend of Assam, Natasurya Phani Sarma, whose house is also in Tezpur.
People seem to have forgotten the family and the man who was once the uncrowned king of the state’s stage.
Rupkonwar Jyotiprasad Agarwalla, Bishnu Rabha and Phani Sarma form the famous triumvirate who shaped Assam’s modern cultural landscape.
But when I visited Phani Sarma’s house, it left me in great pain. It was in utter shambles and I do not know if its condition has improved now.
I am also aware that plans to turn Jyoti Prasad Agarwalla’s house, Poki, into a museum has not taken shape.
Many of his personal belongings, which are national treasures, are decaying. I was surprised when I was told that the original print of the first Assamese film, Joymoti, made by Agarwalla, has been lost forever!
It is a pity that we have almost forgotten the people who gave our state a cultural identity.
There are many around us who have shied away from publicity and hence got little recognition.
Take the example of artist/sculptor Biren Singha, whose works you see every day but never realise whose creations these are.
I believe we need to give them their due.
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