Guwahati: Veteran Assamese actor Nipon Goswami who passed away yesterday was laid to rest with full state honours on Friday at Nabagraha Cemetery in Guwahati.
The legendary actor, who had been receiving treatment at Nemcare Hospital since October 24 after becoming ill, died at the age of 80 after suffering a cardiac arrest.
Tributes have flown in from all over the country since his passing. Prime minister, Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on Twitter.
PM Modi wrote, “Saddened by the passing away of Shri Nipon Goswami, who made a pioneering contribution to the Assamese film industry.”
“His diverse works will be remembered by several film lovers. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti,” he further wrote.
Mourning his demise, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma took to Twitter to write in Assamese, “I am pained to hear of Assamese film industry’s evergreen actor Nipon Goswami’s passing away. In my youth, while working for the film ‘Kokadeuta Nati Aru Hati’, I had the chance of meeting him and I was blessed at the opportunity.”
“He played thoughtful characters in many Assamese films and his contribution to the cultural world will never be forgotten by the people of Assam. I pray to God for the eternal peace of the late actor and extend my condolences to the bereaved family,” added the Assam CM.
Meanwhile, Goswami’s remains would be laid with full state honours, according to state cabinet minister Ashok Singhal, who went to speak with the family after the legendary actor passed away. He added that the state government would cover the hospital costs.
The actor was born in Tezpur, Assam. Goswami was a former student at the esteemed Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), where luminaries like Subhash Ghai, Navin Nischol and Shatrughan Sinha have graduated.
Nipon Goswami made his film debut in Assam in 1957 as a young actor in the Phani Sarma film Piyali Phukan. Sangram, his debut Assamese film in a leading role, was a commercial success.
His subsequent film, Dr. Bezbaruah, which was released in 1969, established him as a star and led to his appearing in several films during the ensuing years. A few Hindi movies had Nipon Goswami as an actor.
He participated extensively in several mobile theatres, including Abaahan, Kohinoor, Hengul, and Shakuntala. He also made appearances in a few television series, including Writu aahe writu jaai.