Guwahati, Sept. 21: From being a musician who lent his voice to some of Kalaguru Bishnu Rabha's popular compositions, to being an actor, film and documentary maker and adventure cyclist to Kabul in the pre-Independence days, Kamal Narayan Choudhury had worn many hats.

The state department of cultural affairs and the Satya Narayan Choudhury Memorial Trust (formed by his family members) today organised a function to remember the multifaceted personality on his 100th birth anniversary and pledged to keep his creative genius alive for the generations to come.

The trust, formed in 2014, has constituted an award in Choudhury's name, which was conferred upon Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee and noted flautist Prabhat Sarma at the function this evening.

A contemporary of cultural icons such as Bishnu Prasad Rabha and Phani Sharma, Choudhury had directed the fourth Assamese film Badan Barphukan in 1947 and was the music director of the second Assamese film Monomati in 1939.

One of the first documentary makers in Assam, Choudhury had also directed the first Assamese colour film, Bhaiti, in 1972. He was also the first Assamese to have lent his voice to a Bishnu Rabha composition from Akashvani (All India Radio), Calcutta, in 1943.

Speaking at the function as guest of honour, former pro-vice-chancellor of Tezpur University, Amarjyoti Choudhury, recalled his association with Choudhury. "As a child I was fortunate to have met Choudhury. His creativity inspired us. He was always ahead of times. Be it borgeet, Rabha geet or Jyoti xangeet, he excelled in all forms. He was multi-faceted, good at acting and film-making, besides possessing the gift of being spontaneous and creative. He was a great human being," he said.

The former pro-vice-chancellor said it was good that an initiative had been finally taken to remember his achievements. "But I would like people to take initiatives to remember our stalwarts in all fields. It should not be that only the family members take the lead," he said.

Choudhury was associated with every film made from Guwahati and was a regular actor at Akashvani Guwahati. He passed away in August 1985.

Gauhati East MLA Siddhartha Bhattacharya, speaking as the chief guest, recalled his childhood with Choudhury's family.

Thanking the trust for the honour, Sarma recalled how Choudhury taught him the nuances of music.

"It is also time to revive the recording studio at the directorate, which is in his name. The future generation needs to know more about his creations as well as our rich art and culture," Sarma said.

Choudhury's nephew Jayanta Choudhury, the president of the trust, said much needed to be done to keep his ideals alive. "The trust will endeavour to make the awards function an annual event. Besides, we will take up with the authorities to do what can be done to popularise his ideals," Jayanta said.