Tezpur: In an evocative poetic and musical gathering held on the streets of Tezpur on Tuesday evening, noted poet from Nagaon, Dr Prayag Saikia, was conferred the Asomiya Kabya Sahitya Bota–2026 for his poetry collection Kalika Loga Kothar Batere (Walking the Path of Time-Stained Words).
The award was presented under the banner of Rajpathor Kobita (Poetry of the Streets), a grassroots literary initiative that has emerged as a voice of the oppressed and marginalised since its inception in 2020. The third annual award ceremony was organised beside the District Library on Tezpur’s main road and featured poetry recitations and music, drawing the attention of passers-by.
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Noted writer, poet and critic Dilip Phookan formally presented the award in the presence of eminent literary and cultural figures, including Dr Bhupen Saikia, Dr Pallab Bhattacharyya, Pankaj Barua, Golap Bora, Kumar Bibhuti and others. The honour included a gamosa, cheleng, jaapi, citation, memento, books and a symbolic cheque.
Addressing the gathering, Phookan said Rajpathor Kobita carries a revolutionary spirit and powerful messages of social transformation, adding that Dr Saikia’s poetry reflects the essence of lived reality. Accepting the award, Dr Saikia described poetry as a companion of solitude and expressed his wish to “create blossoms of hope through verse.” The evening featured poetry recitations and musical performances, filling the street with words, rhythm and reflection.
