Mangaldai marks 54 yrs of Assamese film 'Aranya' with milepost & memorial stamp

Mangaldai, Nov 18: A ‘milepost’ was installed commemorating the completion of 54 years of the release Aranya, the Assamese film produced by a local club with public donations. Additionally, a postal stamp was released in memory of the late Samarendra Narayan Deb, the director of the film.

Befitting the occasion, local socio-cultural organization Gypsy Guild on Sunday organized a public function titled ‘Aranyar Edin’ here at the Jayanta Hazarika memorial park on the bank of the Borpukhuri. Prominent writer Dr Bipul Jyoti Saikia ceremonially inaugurated the ‘milepost’ while noted playwright and director Nayan Prasad released the postal stamp.

In his speech, Prasad highlighted the unique character of the film which focused on the threats to the wildlife and environment back in 1971 well before the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 came into play. At the beginning of the function, the background voice of the film on environment conservation was aired. Tributes were paid to the departed souls of all the persons associated with the film.

Several office bearers and members of Mangaldai United Club, the producers of the film including Mukul Goswami, Durgeswar Das, Biren Medhi and others became nostalgic while recalling the days of their association with the production of the film. Dibya Jyoti Saharia, retired secretary of the State PWD department, actor Pabitra Rabha, president of Gypsy Guild Hiren Kumar Das, secretary Jayanta Deka also spoke on the occasion.

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