Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Monday conferred the first Biju Phukan Award 2019 to Assamese national award winning actor Bishnu Kharghoria during a programme at Chowkidinghee field here.
The award carries Rs 2 lakh, a citation and an angabastra.
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Also read: Assam: Actor Bishnu Kharghoria chosen for Biju Phukan Award 2019
The Biju Phukan Award 2019 has been instituted for the first time jointly by the Assam State (Film and Finance) Development Corporation (ASFFDC) and the Directorate of Cultural Affairs, government of Assam.
Speaking on the occasion Sonowal said the artist plays a pivotal role in the society.
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“The artist fraternity always works for the development of the society which is commendable,” said Sonowal.
Talking about actor Biju Phukan, Sonowal said the actor had worked for the development of Assamese cinema.
Sonowal said, “Bijuda worked tirelessly for the uplift of Assamese cinema. I have seen many films where Bijuda has acted. I respect the artists who are the integral part of the society and cinema can play an important role in strengthening the society.”
Speaking on the occasion, chief minister Sonowal also mentioned about the barbaric incident of Pulwama in Jammu & Kashmir.
A documentary on the life of Assamese superstar Biju Phukan, directed by Prabin Hazarika, was screened at the auditorium of Dibrugarh District Library on the occasion.
A souvenir on Biju Phukan was also released by chief minister Sonowal.
Biju Phukan, who acted in more than 50 films and several plays in diverse roles, was born in Dibrugarh on February 18, 1947.
Noted actor Bishnu Kharghoria expressed his happiness on being conferred the award.
“I am happy to receive the Biju Phukan Award. We worked together in many films and had a good relationship with him. I become nostalgic recalling all those old memories. He was a great personality and the first superstar of Assamese cinema. I learnt many things from him,” Kharghoria said.
Veteran actor Kharghoria started his acting career as a child artist.
Kharghoria, who received the National Film Award for the movie Xagoroloi Bohudoor, has performed in a number of mobile theatres apart from movies.