Guwahati: Sambhu Rabha has immense love for his 2.5m traditional flute called nolkara and passes most of his time with it. He is not widely recognised but has no regrets whatsoever.
Rabha, who hails from Sohori village in Goalpara district of Assam, was conferred with Padmashree Pratima Barua Pandey Award by AASU on Wednesday, Pandey's 15th death anniversary, for his contribution to Assam's folk culture.
A cash award of Rs 25,000 was given to him in the presence of Pandey's family members.
Nolkara is a traditional flute of the Rabha tribe. It is played on traditional occasions of the Rabhas and also in their Farakanti dance.
"When he was 12 or 13, Sambhu Rabha started learning nolkara under Jogaisha Rabha. From then he has been practising and playing the folk instrument. He and his team have staged programmes with the instrument in various parts of Assam, in Calcutta and Bhopal, among other places. We feel proud to confer the award on him," AASU said in the citation.
Felicitating Rabha, AASU president Dipankar Kumar Nath said: "A team of Gauhati University had thrice won gold medals in International Youth Festival by using nolkara in their folk orchestra programmes but till now the exponent stays behind the screen. We are happy to give him this award. Pandey also spent her entire life promoting folk culture. Awarding Sambhu Rabha is the best tribute to Pandey."
After receiving the award in front of Pandey's statue at Chandmari, Rabha told the gathering: "I am here because of your love. I have nothing to say. I can only entertain you with the tune of nolkara."
The audience listened spellbound as Rabha played the nolkara.
AASU chief adviser Samujjal Bhattacharjya said: "To preserve Assam's folk culture, the state government should first renovate Pandey's residence at Matiabag in Gauripur and declare it a heritage site. If the government fails, AASU will renovate the house with the people's help."
In Goalpara, rich tributes were paid to Pandey.
The Bapujinagar Mahila Samiti, Ward 16, organised naam prasanga at the local namghar.
Additional reporting by Sofikul Ahmed
