Research Book on “Gosai Uliowa” Festival of Central Assam Dedicated to Zubeen Garg Released in Morigaon
By Dalim Phukan
Morigaon/Assam, Oct 23: A research-based book highlighting the rich folk-cultural heritage of Central Assam, particularly the traditional Gosai Uliowa Festival, was formally released in Morigaon today.
The nearly 200-page book, titled Madhya Axamar Gosai Ulowa Utsav (Gosai Ulowa Festival of Central Assam), has been published by Ghanakanta Baruah College, Morigaon, and edited by its Associate Professor, Dr Pankaj Kumar Deka. The book has been dedicated to Zubeen Garg, the beloved singer and cultural icon of Assam.
The book was released at a solemn function held at the college auditorium by Dr Upendra Rabha Hakasam, a distinguished folk-culture researcher and professor of the Department of Assamese at Gauhati University.
In his address, Dr Hakasam described the Gosai Ulowa Festival, celebrated during Bohag Bihu, particularly in the districts of Morigaon and Nagaon in Central Assam, as a unique treasure of Assam’s folk traditions. He observed that the book would serve as an important source of information for researchers of folk culture, tourists and curious readers in the years ahead.
College Principal Dr Bishnu Prasad Upadhyay delivered the welcome address. Eminent artist Ashok Deka and senior journalist Dalim Phukan also addressed the gathering.
Among those present were Dr Kamal Chandra Nath, Principal of Charaibahi College; Ajit Sharma, president of the Morigaon District Journalists’ Association; Khagen Mahanta, secretary of the Morigaon District Employees’ Council; and Sumi Baruah, donor member of the college, along with several other distinguished personalities.
The programme was conducted by Associate Professor Dr Jintu Deka.
At the beginning of the event, floral tributes were paid and a ceremonial lamp was lit before the portrait of late singer Zubeen Garg. Former student Muhit Patar paid a musical tribute to the legendary singer by performing two of his rare songs.
Speaking to the media, Dr Pankaj Kumar Deka, a folk-culture researcher, author of several valuable books and editor of the newly released volume, said that the book was the outcome of extensive fieldwork and research that began in 2023.
He explained that the primary objective of the publication was to bring the history and significance of this nearly 400-year-old folk festival to the attention of the younger generation and people across the country.
Dr Deka also announced that five copies of the book would be sent free of cost to various universities in Assam, including Gauhati University, Bodoland University, Assam University and Cotton University. Two copies each would also be distributed free of cost to various colleges to encourage further study and research into the region’s rich folk-cultural heritage.
