ASSAM TIMES POST
Guwahati: Eminent Assamese writer, poet, dramatist, cultural doyen and social activist Ratna Ojha passed away in the wee hours of Tuesday at his residence in Guwahati, his family sources said. He was 88.
Recipient of the prestigious Natyasurya Award in 2005 for his contribution to theatre, Ojha who was also an actor is credited with introducing street plays in the state in 1971 with a skit ‘Kokaideo’ to revive the theatre movement that was fading away then after the death of his mentor Natyasurya Phani Sarma, the sources said.
Ojha is on record saying that he and his associates for saving the “drowning boat” of theatre decided to take it to the streets of Assam instead of waiting for government facilities of affordable halls to enact plays.
The playwright’s theatre troupe Gobhor Natyagosthi had produced the highly-acclaimed trilogy – Gobhor, Urbor and Kobor highlighting various issues afflicting society.
The former vice-chairman of the state government managed cultural centre Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra here had also introduced cartoon theatre in the North East region.
He was associated with the Northeast Zonal Cultural Centre and the Bhupen Hazarika Cultural Trust.
Besides being involved in the production and direction of documentary film Naam-ghar,
The veteran theatre personality was actively involved in the ongoing anti-Citizenship Amendment Act protests in the state addressing rallies regularly and even three days prior to his death.
Ojha’s last rites will be performed with state honour, government sources said.
Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Finance and health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, state BJP president Ranjeet Kumar Dass, Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) among others have condoled Ojha’s death.
Mourning Ojha’s death, Chief Minister Sonowal tweeted: “Saddened to learn about the demise of eminent dramatist, litterateur and social activist Ratna Ojha. With his death, Assam loses a great personality, whose contribution towards our socio-cultural heritage will be forever remembered. My heartfelt condolences.”
