Guwahati: Members of the Assamese film fraternity gathered at Kumar Bhaskar Natya Mandir on Saturday to mark legendary Assamese filmmaker Brajen Barua’s 54th death anniversary, celebrating his lasting impact on Assamese cinema and recognising behind-the-scenes workers who helped build the industry alongside him.The programme, organised for the first time by Pragati Silpi Sangha, paid tribute to Barua as a filmmaker, music composer and actor, while underscoring his influence in strengthening the technical foundation of Assamese cinema. “Brajen Barua was associated with Pragati Silpi Sangha since its establishment in 1952. He inspired an entire generation of technicians in the Assamese film industry,” said Satyen Doloi, secretary of the Sangha, who has been associated with the organisation since 1970.Doloi said Barua helped sound recordist Satish Chauhan establish himself in the industry and encouraged others to take up technical professions linked to filmmaking. “Generally only actors are invited and felicitated at such events, but this time we decided to honour the people who work behind the screen because that was Brajen Barua’s vision,” he said.Speakers recalled how Barua reshaped Assamese cinema during a period marked by infrastructural constraints and limited financing. Play and film director Nayan Prasad said the release of Doctor Bezbaruah in 1969 sparked unprecedented excitement across Assam. “At that time, making cinema was extremely difficult because gathering funds and finding producers was a major challenge. Earlier, people had to go to Kolkata for filming and editing, but during Doctor Bezbaruah, Brajen Baruah decided that Assam should have its own film industry,” he said.Prasad added that Barua’s death in 1972 during the filming of Opaja Sunor Mati in Lakhimpur ended a journey that had begun to transform the state’s film ecosystem. “Brajen Barua himself is an institution. It has been many years since I saw an event organised in his name. What he gave to Assamese people as an artist should be known to the current generation as well,” said Rajib Prakash Baruah, president of Kumar Bhaskar Natya Mandir, pointing to strong public support for the programme.Veteran actress Nikumoni Baruah described him as a rare multitalented artist whose influence extended well beyond direction. “The journey of Assamese cinema cannot be written without mentioning Brajen Baruah. His films are milestones for us,” she said.
