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Veteran Assam theatre personality and cultural activist Ratna Ojha no more

First Published: 31st December, 2019 15:51 IST

Renowned theatre personality, author and playwright from Assam, Ratna Ojha passed away at his residence in Guwahati at midnight on Tuesday following brief illness. He was 88. He is survived

Renowned theatre personality, author and playwright from Assam, Ratna Ojha passed away at his residence in Guwahati at midnight on Tuesday following brief illness. He was 88.

He is survived by his wife and three daughters. His last rites will be performed around 8 pm today at the Nabagraha crematorium.

Born on Dec 5, 1931, the veteran playwright made significant contributions in the field of theatre for which he was accorded prestigious Natyasurya Award in 2005.

Ojha was keen to carry forward the street theatre movement in state, which he started in 1971. He introduced street plays in Assam with a skit called ‘Kokaideo’.

He was also an eminent writer, actor and cultural activist. A multifaceted artiste, Ojha has also penned several novels and poems. He was also involved in the production and direction the documentary film ‘Naam-ghar’.

Ojha was part of the Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra’s general council and he was also associated with the Northeast Zonal Cultural Centre. He was also the vice-chairman of the Bhupen Hazarika Cultural Trust.

He was last seen taking part in protest against the Citizenship amendment Act called by the artiste fraternity.

Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Finance and Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma including other eminent personalities from the cultural world condoled the demise of the cultural doyen, terming it as an irreparable loss.

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