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Notable Assamese Singer Gayatri Hazarika Dies At 44 Due To Colon Cancer

Notable Assamese Singer Gayatri Hazarika Dies At 44 Due To Colon Cancer

India.com16-05-2025

Gayatri Hazarika Death: Assamese music icon Gayatri Hazarika passed away on May 16, 2025, at a private hospital in Guwahati. The acclaimed singer was 44 years old and had been battling colon cancer.
Her evergreen melodies and soulful voice hold a special place in every Assamese household, leaving a deep void in the music industry, especially in Assamese music.
Hazarika, known for her critically acclaimed song Xora Pate Pate Phagun Naame, also lent her soulful voice to other beloved tracks such as Rati Rati Mor Xoon and Ohar Dore Ubhoti Aatori Gola, showcasing her versatility as a playback singer.
Her contributions extended beyond playback singing to live performances, where she captivated audiences with her heartfelt renditions and charismatic presence.
(This is a developing story)

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Assamese folktale collection translated into Arabic
Assamese folktale collection translated into Arabic

Time of India

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  • Time of India

Assamese folktale collection translated into Arabic

1 2 3 4 Guwahati: The Arabic translation of the esteemed Assamese folktale anthology 'Burhi Aair Hadhu' (Grandmother's Tale), written by distinguished Assamese author Lakshminath Bebaroa in 1911, signifies the newest initiative to showcase Assamese literary works internationally. A Spanish version of this collection was previously completed in 2022. This translation was undertaken independently by Abu Sayed Ansari, a research scholar at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) pursuing doctoral studies in Arabic literature. Concurrently, the century-old Asam Sahitya Sabha has initiated translations of over 40 significant works, including the complete writings of 15th-century Vaishnavite saint and reformer Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva, into various languages. Speaking to TOI, Ansari, who hails from Sontoli in Assam's Kamrup district, explained that as a literature student from Assam, he noticed minimal Arabic to Assamese translations and none from Assamese to Arabic. "Definitely, many books were translated into English, Hindi, and other Indian languages from Assamese by Asam Sahitya Sabha as well as individually. But the fact that there was no translation from Assamese to Arabic encouraged me and I took the all-time famous folktale collection 'Burhi Aair Hadhu' by one of the doyens of Assamese literature," he added. Ansari selected 'Burhi Aair Hadhu' instead of a novel because these stories resonate with all age groups in Assam, with several tales included in primary school curricula. His goal in translating and launching the collection in Cairo, Egypt, is to introduce Arabic readers to Assamese literature's richness. Basanta Kumar Goswami, president of Asam Sahitya Sabha, discussed their extensive translation project involving over 40 books by notable authors. "This includes the entire works of Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva. A few will be translated into English, a few into Hindi, and a few into other languages. 'Kirtan' by Mahapurush Madhadev will be translated into Odia language," he added. Goswami acknowledged the difficulties in translation, citing the need for experts proficient in both source and target languages. "Finding such resource persons is a difficult job. Moreover, translating the old literary works without losing the exact essence is also a risky task, as the poetic expression of old literature was different from the modern Assamese language," he added. Despite these challenges, Goswami confirmed that under his leadership, the literary organisation has committed to translating more than 40 books.

Assamese short film 'Ansuni Chinkhe' receives warm reception at Cannes Marche du Film screening
Assamese short film 'Ansuni Chinkhe' receives warm reception at Cannes Marche du Film screening

India Gazette

time5 days ago

  • India Gazette

Assamese short film 'Ansuni Chinkhe' receives warm reception at Cannes Marche du Film screening

Guwahati (Assam) [India], May 28 (ANI): 'Ansuni Chinkhe' (Unheard Whispers), a socially charged Assamese short film directed by Partha Sarathi Mahanta, Commissioner of Police, Guwahati, has made a significant mark on the global stage following its recent online screening at the prestigious Marche du Film, the business counterpart of the Cannes Film Festival. A deeply thought-provoking film with a powerful message, 'Ansuni Chinkhe' was showcased to an international audience of film professionals, critics, and distributors during the Marche du Film's online screening segment. Viewers and professionals praised the film for its artistic execution and the depth with which it handled socially pressing issues, particularly those affecting women and marginalised voices. Narrated by National Award-winning actress Seema Biswas, the film portrays the challenging yet powerful story of a young girl in India, shedding light on the obstacles she faces from birth through adulthood. The short film explores the inherent contradictions in Indian society, where women are revered as goddesses on one hand, yet subjected to brutal discrimination and violence on the other. Mahanta said the story begins even before birth, spotlighting the grim reality of female feticide. 'If a girl child survives and is born, she is often pushed into child marriage, her agency stripped away before she even reaches adolescence. Once married, her identity is dissolved into that of her husband's, whom she is expected to worship as her supreme deity. The physical, emotional, and psychological trauma that follows is heartbreakingly common, yet rarely acknowledged. However, Ansuni Chinkhe is not merely a narrative of suffering. The film not only depicts adversity but also aims to inspire change, serving as a cinematic expression of resistance and empowerment,' Mahanta said. He further said that the woman in the story reclaims her identity as Shakti--the divine embodiment of feminine power--and declares that silence is no longer an option. 'Her unheard whispers rise into a roar as she breaks the chains of oppression and asserts her rightful place in society,' he said. Ansuni Chinkhe's powerful message is magnified by the unique lens of Mahanta- a visionary storyteller who serves as the Chief of Assam Police's Special Task Force. As a law enforcement official with a deep understanding of the societal structures that perpetuate gender injustice, Mahanta brings a rare combination of empathy, authenticity, and insight to the film. Mahanta, who has previously been known for his contributions to public safety and policy reform, ventured into filmmaking as an extension of his commitment to social justice. With Ansuni Chinkhe, he channels his experiences on the front lines of crime and society into an evocative cinematic narrative that bridges art and activism. 'The film is a tribute to the countless women whose voices have been stifled for generations,' Mahanta said. Through 'Ansuni Chinkhe,' the makers aim to spark conversations, break silences, and contribute to a movement in which every woman reclaims her rightful place in society. Prior to its Cannes debut, Ansuni Chinkhe had already garnered critical acclaim on the national festival circuit. The film was honoured at the 17th Jaipur International Film Festival (JIFF) 2025, where it won - Best Director: Dr. Partha Sarathi Mahanta, Best Actress: Seema Biswas. These awards were earned in a highly competitive edition of the festival, which received around 2,408 film entries from 88 countries, reinforcing the film's creative excellence and international relevance. The film's inclusion in the Marche du Film represents a noteworthy achievement for the team behind it and contributes to the growing global presence of Assamese-language cinema. At a time when regional Indian films are steadily gaining global attention, Ansuni Chinkhe stands out as a beacon of how storytelling rooted in local culture and language can have a universal impact. Mina Mahanta and Indrani Baruah, both passionate advocates for social storytelling, produced the film. Their collaboration with Mahanta has resulted in a cinematic piece that is as aesthetically rich as it is socially significant. In a world grappling with gender inequality and systemic violence against women, 'Ansuni Chinkhe' serves as both a mirror and a megaphone. It reflects the lived experiences of millions of women and amplifies the urgent need for cultural and legislative change. Through art, it dares to provoke, educate, and inspire. Following its screening at Cannes, the filmmakers are in discussions for wider digital distribution to ensure that 'Ansuni Chinkhe' reaches broader audiences both in India and abroad. The film team also plans to screen it in academic institutions, gender forums, and film societies to continue the important conversations it sparks. (ANI)

Why filmmakers can't do without Cannes
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New Indian Express

time24-05-2025

  • New Indian Express

Why filmmakers can't do without Cannes

I first met independent Assamese filmmaker Rima Das in 2017 at the Marché du Film or Cannes Film Market, when her second feature, Village Rockstars, was featured in the 'HAF Goes To Cannes' initiative. Having been part of the Work In Progress Lab of Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF), it had made its way to the market's prestigious platform which provided Das the opportunity to look for post-production funds and pitch to sales agents and other festivals. Goes To Cannes, one of the tailor-made official programmes at the Cannes Film Market, aims to discover promising, new-generation talents through their works-in-progress, selected and curated by partner festivals like the HAF. Thanks to it, not only did Das get a great mentor in the famous editor, Jacques Comets, who guided her with the first cut of Village Rockstars, but found the world opening its door for her modest indie. About a free-spirited and rebellious 10-year-old village girl Dhunu who dreams of owning a guitar and makes herself Styrofoam one till she gets a real one, the film played at hundreds of international festivals thanks to the initial exposure at Cannes. At Toronto and San Sebastian, it was the first film from Northeast India to be featured in the official selection. It won the National Award for the best film in 2018 and went on to represent India at the Oscars. This year, the debut feature of Tribeny Rai—a Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute graduate—Shape of Momo was showcased under the same section. Rai is from Sikkim and her Nepali-language film is set in her home state. She was looking for gap-financing, post-production funds and interactions with sales agents and festival programmers. Whether Shape of Momo will also follow the same trajectory of success as Das's film can't quite be predicted. But what's amply clear is the significance of the market for independent Indian filmmakers trying to strike their own course in the international arena, away from the claptrap and constraints of commercial Indian cinema.

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