Assam government launches Northeast first digital archive

GUWAHATI: Assam government today launched the first digital archive of the Northeast at Jyoti Chitraban Film Studio here to preserve films, music, special events, photographs and texts.

The Jyoti Chitraban Music Archive that was inaugurated by state Culture Minister Naba Kumar Doley on December 30 last year has now been renamed as Jyoti Chitraban Digital Archive, Jyoti Chitraban Chairman Pabitra Margherita said.

Margherita said that the first content to be archived will be the oath taking ceremony of Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.

"As our chief minister, Sonowal always encourages promotion and preservation of our culture. We are on a mission to fulfill the same," Margherita said.

"I invite all the artistes, producers and even public to submit important archival materials which will be preserved for posterity at the Jyoti Chitraban Digital Archive," he said.

Several noted filmmakers and producers submitted their productions, including films and music, at the launch event.

The event was attended by filmmakers Sanjib Sabhapandit, Charu Kamal Hazarika, Bhupen Kaman, lyricists Gautam Sharma and Abhijit Bhattacharya.

Margherita also announced the Jyoti Chitraban hall of fame which will induct several renowned luminaries of Assam like Sangeet Acharyya, Lakshmi Ram Barua, filmmaker and lyricist Jyoti Prasad Agarwala, poet-lyricist Parbati Prasad Baruva, Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rava and music legend Bhupen Hazarika.

First community news portal of the Northeast was also launched as part of the digital archive which will give a platform to the youngsters and artistically enthusiastic individuals to publish news items, articles and creative writing.

An official website of Jyoti Chitraban Digital Archive was also launched at the event.