GUWAHATI, Sept 15: A poetry meet and memorial programme was organised on Monday to mark the first death anniversary of poet, writer, director, actor and founder of Takshashila-Assam, late Dr Pakhila Kalita.
The programme, organised by Takshashila Assam with the cooperation of her family, was held at the Lakshiram-Saralabala Das Auditorium of the All Assam Government Pensioners’ Association at Chandmari. The programme began with naam-prasanga by the Aaiyatis of Brahmaputra Housing Colony, Bhetapara, followed by the lighting of a ceremonial lamp and a floral tribute by admirers and relatives.
Artists of Takshashila Assam, under the guidance of Reena Das, subsequently performed a chorus.
The poetry meet and memorial session was presided over by former secretary of Chandmari Xahitya Xabha, Kumud Chandra Deka. In his address, Deka described Kalita as an outspoken woman with a strong voice who had made significant contributions to Assamese literature and culture. He urged everyone to keep her death anniversary alive in memory.
Former general secretary of Axom Xahitya Xabha (AXX), Dr Jagadish Patgiri, attended the programme as the designated speaker. He spoke at length about Kalita’s life, work and cultural journey.
Another distinguished guest, AXX executive committee member and literary pensioner Dhiren Sarma, said Kalita was a multi-talented personality whose untimely death was deeply unfortunate and a loss for Assam before she could fully realise the potential of her varied talents.
Anil Deka, Geeta Rani Gogoi, Anima Barua, Pranita Das, Reena Das and Ranjan Mahanta recited poems based on Kalita’s life. Montu Thakuria, Mohan Deka, Diptikana Majumdar and Rozlina Gogoi recalled their memories of Kalita, while Pratap Bordoloi performed a song.
The programme was attended by several prominent personalities, including AXX organisational secretary Sunil Gurung, who came from Duliajan; Youth Parliament convenor Gautam Gogoi; chief secretary of the reception committee for the upcoming 78th Duliajan session of AXX, Brajen Gogoi; treasurer Ranjan Mahanta; and poets Madan Medhi, Alpana Choudhury and Mrinal Das.
Writer and poet Anil Deka conducted the programme, while Pakhila Kalita’s husband, Navajyoti Saikia, offered the vote of thanks.
