Guwahati: In a significant boost to Assamese drama, more than 10 artists have received Natak Academy Awards and two artists have received the renowned Ustad Bismillah Kha (youth) award.
Sattriya guru Ranjumoni Saikia, accomplished playwright and director Abinash Sharma, actor Pranjal Saikia, Gunindranath Ojah, a well-known artist involved with the music and direction of Angkiya Bhaona, well-known Bihu artist Prassana Gogoi, Satriya dancer Hori Bora Borbayan, prominent Oja artists Dharmesh Nath Oja and Guruprasad Ojah, renowned violinist Minati Khaund and state’s eminent folk music and dance artist of Assam, Makhan Chandra Bora honored with Sangeet-Natak Akademi Award.
The Sangeet Natak Academy has declared the winners for the years 2019, 2020 and 2021, thus it is important to note this.
The esteemed Ustad Bismillah Kha (youth) award for 2019 was given to Prabhat Kakoti. Jollymani Saikia (Sattriya), Manas Kumar Samoa (Violin) and Himanshu Sharma have won the prize for the year 2020. Deepjyoti Das and Dipankar Arandhara, two Sattriya dancers, have won the Bismillah Khan Award for 2021.