Researcher of folk art and culture, Dr Krishnakanta Handique was conferred the Bokulbon Award 2020.
Handique was honoured with the award at Danbir Radhakanta Handique Bhawan inside the premises of Asom Sahitya Sabha headquarters in Jorhat on Tuesday.
The award is given annually by the Bokulbon Nyas on the death anniversary of late Ananda Chandra Barua.
Barua was a noted writer, poet, playwright, journalist and actor from Assam and is popularly known as Bokulbonor Kabi.
The award carries a cash prize, a citation, a seleng sador and a packet of books.
Subhra Baruah, an All India Radio artiste and daughter-in-law of late Barua said those selected for the award are proponents of Assam’s art and folk culture and uphold the purity of the form.
Subhra Baruah today released Eman Senehi Tumi, a song penned by late Barua and sung by her on YouTube.
Dr Handique has been selected for the award for his valuable contributions throughout his life to promote and preserve the state’s folk songs, music and culture outside Assam and abroad.
Handique has spread the culture of Assam as propagated by the 16th century social and religious reformer Srimanta Shankardev and his disciple Madhavdev.
Dr Handique has extensive knowledge about bhaona and has promoted the art in the country and also in Thailand.
Various speakers in the function held on the occasion extolled Dr Handique for founding the well-known Bihu troupe, Jhanjiparia Bihudol, which is a popular Bihu group in Assam.
Dr Handique has also authored several books on Assam’s folk art.