After completing the third edition of ‘Mongeet: the Soul Music’ mentorship workshop and festival with great success, the Raul Kaushik Nath Foundation is organizing the second edition of ‘Monkobita’ to celebrate the poetry of Jnanpith awardee Nilamoni Phookan.
The event, consisting of poetry recitations, musical performances and film screenings surrounding the work of the master poet, will be held on February 19 at Dekasang Sonapur in the presence of a select audience.
Nilamoni Phookan, also a recipient of the Sahitya Akademi Award (1981) and Padma Shri (1990), is equally popular among all age group readers. His works reflect the contemporary socio-political aspects and are replete with symbolism.
‘Monkobita’ and ‘Montulika’, along with ‘Mongeet’, are among the initiatives of the Raul Kaushik Nath Foundation to create a movement in Assam for the promotion of various forms of creative arts.
“With Mongeet, Montulika and Monkobita, we are trying to create an environment for practice of healthy and good arts in our State, particularly among the younger generation of people,” said Raul Kaushik Nath Foundation’s managing trustee Kaushik Nath.
“We are grateful to our sponsors and all the people who are supporting us in this initiative,” he said.
The foundation organised this year’s Mongeet at Dekasang Majuli from January 15 to17 with support from Awesome Assam (Assam Tourism Development Corporation), Directorate of Cultural Affairs, Oil India Ltd, State Bank of India, Max Cements Ltd, along with associate sponsors Sister Masala, travel partner Meridian Motors Kia, telecast partner Ramdhenu, media partner Niyomiya Barta, magazine partner Aaina Jibornor, radio partner 92.7 FM and T Series.
The workshop saw noted musicians like Angarag Papon Mahanta, Joi Barua, Anurag Saikia, Rupam Bhuyan, Dhrubajyoti Phukan, Shashwati Phukan, Nilotpal Bora, Shankuraj Konwar, Tarali Sarma, Nikhil Paul George and Nitin Shankar among others share their knowledge with 33 young and upcoming musical talents from various corners of Assam in intensive sessions held at Dekasang.
The programme was preceded by three days of the 1st edition of ‘Montulika’, in which senior artists like Noni Borpuzari, Samiran Baruah, Champak Borbora, Nikhileshwar Baruah, Madhusudan Das, Khanin Das and Bhrigupati Hazarika explored their creativity in the serene environment on the banks of Brahmaputra.
In future, Raul Kaushik Nath Foundation also plans to organise screenwriting workshops for young and upcoming filmmakers.
