Prominent Assamese writer and Bhaona artiste Arup Saikia was recently felicitated by local youth organisations at a programme held at his residence, Hemapadma House, in Jamugurihat in Assam’s Sonitpur district.
The felicitation ceremony was organised by the youth group Holy Moly Boys in recognition of Saikia’s significant contributions to Assamese literature and the preservation of traditional cultural heritage. Members of the organisation honoured him for authoring the book Sankardeva, The Social Scientist, which explores the socio-cultural philosophy and reformist ideas of the 15th-century Vaishnavite saint-scholar Srimanta Sankardeva.
The book has gained recognition for presenting Sankardeva’s ideas from a social science perspective and has been distributed by the Government of Assam to libraries across the state, highlighting its relevance to Assamese history and culture.
During the event, the organisation’s president Mridul Bora presented a plaque to Saikia as a mark of appreciation. Other members of the group, including secretary Riki Pratim Bora, vice-president Diganta Saikia, and assistant secretary Manash Pratim Bora, also spoke on the occasion and praised the writer for his lifelong dedication to promoting Assamese traditions, especially the classical theatre form Bhaona.
Saikia was recently conferred the International Bhaona Award by the International Satradhikar Conference in recognition of his contributions to the preservation and promotion of Bhaona. He has also been invited to deliver a lecture in the United States on the cultural and philosophical contributions of Srimanta Sankardeva.
Members of the youth organisation said the felicitation was organised to acknowledge Saikia’s work and to inspire younger generations to remain connected with Assam’s rich literary and cultural traditions.
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