Shillong, July 16: Assam and Meghalaya personalities were felicitated by Assam based Anuprerona, city based Riti Academy and Media Plus at Soso Tham Auditorium, State Central Library, here on Saturday.
The award recipients were eight from Assam and three from Khasi Hills.
Arts and Culture Minister Paul Lyngdoh, Commissioner and Secretary Frederick Roy Kharkongor, Commissioner and Zonal Director, Indian Council for Cultural Relations N Munish Singh, Zonal Director were present.
Paul lauded the initiative of the organisers to acknowledge the local artistes of the state who had contributed to society through their creative expressions. The minister stressed uplift of arts and culture in the state including the institution of separate awards for the arts and the renaming of the SICPAC as Lariti International Center for Performing Arts and Culture. He recalled his childhood memories of Khasi traditional songs sung by the recipients of the awards, Tanbor Swer and the association of Daminot J Wankhar and Adlyne Khonglam in the album produced by KSU while he was its leader.
Tanbor was conferred with the Rana Kharkongor Memorial Award, while Daminot and Adlyne were conferred with Riti Excellence Awards along with other recipients from Assam. The recipients for literature and social service from Assam were Dr. Naren Hazarika, senior journalist, Editor of Daily Dainandin Barta, Nang Anjana Gogoi, Advisor of “Dauboria Barta”(weekly news magazine), Sukleswar Nath, Ushamoni Saikia, literature & social service, Alaka Bujar Baruah, school teacher, Manju Hazarika, school teacher, and Inu Sarma, while Sajan Bhuyan was the recipient for Social Service.
The cultural programme was performed by an emerging musical band, Na U Bnai, Saphina Kharhunai and Aanya Kharhunai, grandchildren of Rana Kharkongor (in picture)
Awardees Tanbor Swer and Adlyne Khonglam also performed.
Assamese troupes presented cultural performances, including the popular Bihu dance.
