[Assam] From well of anonymity to immortality (The Telegraph, Friday , February22 , 2008 )

[Buljit Buragohain]

        From well of anonymity to immortality
- AASU plans to set up archive to preserve works of lesser known artistes of Assam     DAULAT RAHMAN                Amulya Kakoti   Guwahati, Feb. 21: Anonymity hurts. 
  Ask the wannabe artist who begs his way into an exhibition of greats or the singer who croons in the back row of a radio jingle chorus.
  For the hundreds of aspiring Zubeen Gargs and Neelpawan Baruas who hone their art in dingy bylanes and die unheralded, the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) has an answer — an archive celebrating the lesser known, the underdog and the quiet performer. 
  The students’ union has decided to dig out works of unsung heroes in all forms of art — be it music, films or literature — and preserve them in a scientific manner.
  The first artiste to find a place in the AASU archive will be Amulya Kakoti, one of Assam’s more talented actors who died a few years ago without ever hogging the limelight.
  “To pay tribute to artistes like Kakoti, the AASU has also instituted an annual award for those who have made significant contribution in the field of Assamese cinema, art and culture. We have planned something big now and decided to create an archive to scientifically preserve the work of unsung heroes. There are archives to preserve works of prominent artistes. But what about those who left this world silently?” asked AASU adviser Sammujjal Bhattacharyya.
  Preliminary work on the project has begun.
  The students’ organisation is holding discussions with various organisations, artistes and corporate houses like Oil India Limited to help build the archive.
  Experts will be engaged in the preservation project. Works of unknown artistes will be digitally archived at the Guwahati address.
  The students’ organisation has also created a corpus of Rs 3 lakh to promote amateur groups and artistes living in remote places in the state.
  Bhattacharyya said AASU members across the state would soon begin the hunt for hidden talent and amateur groups. 
  “Hundreds of talented young boys and girls are going outside the state and proving themselves in the field art, cinema and music. There are many hidden Zubeen Gargs. A students’ organisation like AASU can and will find the talents by creating the right platform and giving them exposure,” Bhattacharyya said.
  The students’ organisation also plans to build life-size statues of Bhupen Hazarika, Parbati Prasad Baroova and Pratima Pandey Barua. 
(The Telegraph,Friday , February22 , 2008 )



       
---------------------------------
 Chat on a cool, new interface. No download required. Click here.