Roopkar Awards, instituted in the memory of distinguished cine-journalist and litterateur Pabitra Kumar Deka, was presented to renowned filmmaker Jahnu Barua and noted actor Arun Nath for the years 2019 and 2020 respectively.

The awards were presented in a low-key function held at the premises of the Pabitra Kumar Deka Archive on January 5, 2021.

The Roopkar Awards, given away biennially, were presented by the state’s eminent journalist and author Anuradha Sharma Pujari.

On the occasion, Pabitra Kumar Deka’s much-anticipated book, written in his typical lucid yet humorous style – Mur Satya Anno Sansthanor Kahini- was also released by Anuradha Sharma Pujari.

In her keynote speech, Pujari spoke about Deka’s significant contributions to Assamese literature, especially in the genre of satirical writings.

Jahnu Barua and Arun Nath, too, regaled the attendees with anecdotes from their experiences with Deka and their respective journeys in the field of culture.

The programme, anchored by cine-journalist Bidyut Bhuyan, went off wonderfully and was graced by noted film and media personalities, including Sanjeev Hazorika, Hemanta Kumar Das, Jitumoni Bora, Mrinal Das, Rana Deka, Mala Mahanta, Prasant Saikia, Nandan Deka, etc.

Pabitra Kumar Deka was born on 29 January 1940 and he was a progressive writer, columnist, publisher and editor of a monthly magazine, film critic and scriptwriter.

He won the Best Film Critic Award in 1988 from the Eastern India Motion Picture Association.

The Assam government has instituted the State Best Film Critic Award in the name of Pabitra Kumar Deka Award from 2010 after his death on January 5, 2010.

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