Eminent Assamese playwright and theatre personality Sewabrat Baruah breathed his last at the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital in Guwahati early in the morning on Sunday.

The 72-year-old playwright was undergoing treatment for kidney ailment at the medical college.

Born in Jorhat, Baruah began his career as a playwright during his early years at Bihpuria in Lakhimpur district.

He rose to become one of the most outstanding writers of plays in the amateur theatre before entering the mobile theatre.

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His plays ‘Dandanayak’ and ‘Kiyo Ene Hoi’ were immensely popular among the public.

He was conferred with the Swabhab Shilpi Amulya Kakati Award in 2014 and the Dalmia Cement Mobile Theatre Award in 2019.

He also served as the vice-president of Asom Natya Sanmilan.

The mortal remains of the playwright reached Bihpuria in the evening and people in large numbers paid their last tributes to the playwright.

Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal has expressed his deep condolence at the demise of the noted playwright.

In his condolence message, Sonowal said: The contributions of late Sewabrat Baruah towards our theatre world will be remembered with respect by all. His plays which highlighted various aspects of social life received huge popularity on the stages of Assam’s mobile theatre.”

He conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.

Baruah was cremated in his native village at Gosain Pathar in the Lakhimpur district.

Farhana Ahmed is Northeast Now Correspondent in North Lakhimpur. She can be reached at: [email protected]