There can be no better birth anniversary tribute to Pandit Raghunath Murmu - founder of Ol Chiki, the Santhali alphabets - than a formal recognition to Santhali films and literature.

Members of Pandit Raghunath Academy of Santhali Cinema and Art (RASCA) paid this very apt tribute while hosting the sixth edition of RASCA Awards at Tata Auditorium, XLRI, to celebrate indigenous films in Jharkhand on Tuesday, coinciding with Pundit Murmu's 111th birth anniversary.

A crowd of around 1,500, including Santhali film buffs from across the state and outside, attended the awards night where Seraikela SDO Sanjeev Kumar Besra was the chief guest.

The programme started with a floral tribute to Pundit Murmu. A vibrant cultural programme followed, including performances by a tribal band, some Santhali songs, a story recitation and a group dance.

"The main motive of the award is to promote Santhali cinema. We organised the ceremony today (May 5) to celebrate Pundit Raghunath Murmu's birth anniversary. This is the sixth consecutive year that we are organising the award ceremony to recognise Santhali cinema," said Rabindranath Murmu, director of RASCA.

This year, Aam Begor was the unanimous choice for best film, which went on to pick up awards in all the major categories.

Best actress and actor award went to Ahala Tudu for Sagai and Lakhan Soren in Aam Begor. The best director award also went to Bubun Mardi for Aam Begor.

In all, awards were given across 19 categories, including male and female playback, comedian, among others. The winners got a trophy, a certificate and a cash prize.

A five-member jury had picked winners among entries from Jharkhand, Odisha and Bengal. A three-day screening had been organised from May 1 to May 3 at the JRD Tata Sports Complex.

RASCA also felecitated Sahitya Akademi award winners from Jharkhand.