Guwahati, Jan 17: The Assam government has unveiled the recipients of the prestigious Silpi Awards for 2026, with celebrated singers Late Samar Hazarika and Dhanada Pathak featuring prominently among those honoured for their lasting contributions to the state’s cultural legacy. The awards, instituted by the Cultural Affairs Department, recognise excellence across disciplines including art, literature, music, theatre, cinema and journalism.
The list of awardees was announced ahead of Silpi Divas on January 17 by Cultural Affairs Minister Bimal Borah during a press conference, where he also revealed the names of pension recipients and beneficiaries under various artist welfare schemes. Along with the Silpi Awards, the department declared recipients of major state-level cultural honours for 2025. Eminent writer Moneswar Deori has been selected for the Krishna Kanta Handique Memorial Award, while senior journalist Dr Amalendu Chakraborty will receive the Gopinath Bordoloi Award for National Integration and Contribution. Theatre veteran Karuna Deka has been chosen for the Natasurya Phani Sarma Award, filmmaker Arup Manna for the Bhabendra Nath Saikia Award, and Abani Ranjan Pathak for the Biju Phukan Award.
The government also announced continued financial assistance to artists through multiple schemes. A total of 83 artists and three differently-abled artists will receive the Regular Silpi Pension, while 170 artists and differently-abled individuals have been selected for the Barxik Silpi Sanman. In addition, 26 artists will be granted Regular Family Pension, and five bereaved families of artists will receive one-time special financial assistance, reflecting the state’s ongoing focus on artist welfare and social security.
Silpi Divas, observed annually on January 17, marks the death anniversary of Rupkonwar Jyoti Prasad Agarwala, Assam’s iconic cultural figure and freedom fighter, and serves as a tribute to the state’s artistic and creative heritage. This year’s announcement carries special emotional weight with the posthumous recognition of Samar Hazarika, a respected singer and the younger brother of legendary musician Dr Bhupen Hazarika. Beginning his musical career in the 1960s, Samar Hazarika released his first album in 1968 and went on to sing for several notable Assamese films, leaving behind a body of work that continues to resonate with music lovers across Assam.
