Guwahati, March 10: People here today celebrated 80 years of first Assamese film Joymoti and recalled contributions of its creator Jyoti Prasad Agarwala to the world of cinema.

The Assam State Film (Finance and Development) Corporation organised a small programme at its Panjabari office that was attended by film personalities and officials of the cultural affairs department among others.

On this day in 1935, Joymoti was released in Calcutta, starting a new chapter in the cultural world. The film was based on a play with the same name that was penned by Laxminath Bezbaroa - the doyen of Assamese literature.

'Today's programme is our humble effort to take a re-look at the journey of Assamese cinema and the great personality that made the first Assamese film,' said chairperson of the corporation, Bobbeeta Sharma.

Two films directed by Bhupen Hazarika and Charu Kamal Hazarika - that were screened as part of the celebrations - highlighted what making Joymoti was to Agarwala at a time when there was no producer or willing female actors and the very concept of talkie was new in the country.

The films also threw light on Agarwala as a singer and playwright.

'The more we try to explore Agarwala's personality, the more we feel how great he was. The need of the hour is to conduct research and systematic study on him. Only emotion cannot keep him alive among us,' said Charu Kamal Hazarika.

The films show that Agarwala did not make Joymoti to make profit. He, in fact, incurred losses, but was happy that the film took Assamese cultural world to a new height.

'Today, I am thinking again and again what my father must have felt on this very special day 80 years back. After the release of Joymoti he talked about its lacunae, but said that it helped the Assamese stand on a par with others. Many people encouraged him after the release of Joymoti that inspired him to continue filmmaking,' said Satyashree Das, daughter of Agarwala.

Actor Pranjal Saikia recalled the golden days of Assamese films and highlighted duties of the state government in rescuing the industry from doldrums.