Cultural Journalists’ Association, Assam Extends Support to Unsung Artist Joymati Hazarika
By Dalim Phukan
Guwahati/Assam, Aug 22: A team of the Cultural Journalists’ Association, Assam, today visited veteran singer and Nagara Naam artiste Joymati Hazarika at Monpur near Basanti Mandir in Mirza and took stock of her present living conditions. Associated with Assam’s folk culture for several years, Joymati Hazarika had once mesmerised audiences with her voice and artistry through Assam’s mobile theatre and various stages across South Kamrup.
Trained in classical music, her voice remains vibrant, but she is currently struggling with severe financial hardship. As the artiste does not have adequate essential documents, she has also been facing difficulties in accessing government schemes and artist pension.
Understanding her situation, Hemanta Sarma, Organising Secretary of the Cultural Journalists’ Association, Assam, and Associate Secretary Gopal Jalan personally provided her with essential food items, utensils, clothes and other necessities, besides extending financial assistance.
The two journalists also took responsibility for helping her prepare the necessary documents so that she can avail herself of artist pension, Orunodoi and other government benefits. The association will also approach the Department of Cultural Affairs to facilitate artist pension and other rightful benefits for publicity-shy artistes like Joymati Hazarika.
Hemanta Sarma said that many artistes who devoted their valuable years to enriching society through music, theatre, folk culture and mobile theatre are unfortunately deprived of dignity and support in the later stages of their lives.
Remembering such artistes only on special occasions is not enough; society and the media have a responsibility to stand by them while they are still alive. Gopal Jalan appealed to the people, cultural organisations and government departments to view artistes like Joymati Hazarika not as objects of pity, but as bearers of Assam’s rich cultural heritage, and to come forward to ensure that they receive the dignity, recognition and government benefits they deserve.
