Parvati Prasad Baruva
http://www.geetikavi.com/html/events.aspx
August 19, 2004
The last function was held in Parvati Prasad’s hometown, Sonari, Assam. At Sonari, the function was organized by the Parvati Prasad Baruva Centenary Celebration Committee and the ASS.
Dr. Birendra Nath Dutta, President of Assam Sahitya Sabha inaugurated the day-long programme by ceremonial hoisting of the Sabha flag. Mr. Sarat Borkatoky, ex-minister and local MLA, unveiled a bust of the Geetikavi in front of the Bhagavati Prasad Baruva Memorial High School and paid his homage. Family members and other distinguished guests also paid floral tributes in front of the statue. Thereafter, members of the local SUR BAHINI toured the town.
In the afternoon, Dr. Birendra Nath Dutta presided over an open session that was inaugurated by past president of the Sabha, Dr. Nagen Saikia. Dr. Khiren Roy eminent journalist and Dr. Basanta Kumar Bhattacharyya spoke on the occasion. Two books, on the Geetikavi, were also released by them. Mrs. Santvana Barooah, the Geetikavi’s eldest daughter also released a book by a local writer and spoke on the occasion.
In the evening, a Jonaki Mel enthralled the crowd late into the night. The Jonaki Mel was inaugurated by the Geetikavi’s sister-in–law, Mrs. Aparna Baruva, who lit a diya in front of his picture. Local artistes including young children entertained the crowd for almost two hours before distinguished artistes from different parts of Assam took the stage. Due to numerous encores the show lasted until one o’clock in the morning.
In addition to these three main functions, many others have been held all over Assam by local units of the ASS as well as by local cultural organizations. In Guwahati itself, two other functions were also held. One was on a full moonlit night on the banks of the Brahmaputra River in December of 2003. The Cultural Ministry of Assam also observed the occasion with a cultural program at Shankardev Kala Kshetra which was largely attended.