Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha

Born:     31 January 1909

Died       20 June 1969

Bishnu Prasad Rabha was a communist political figure from the Assam, well known for his literary and cultural contributions. As an advocate of peoples' cultural movement, he drew heavily from different genres of classical and folk cultural traditions. In his home state, people affectionately called him Kala Guru.

Cultural Contribution

Songs:  Bishnu Prasad Rabha  was an established singer and song writer. His songs are opularly known as “Rabha Sangeet”.  He had learnt Borgeet of Shrimanta Shankar Deva and gave the genre a new significance for the modern times. There are more than hundred songs composed by him. Some of his evergreen songs are “Porojonomor Subhalogonot”, “Logon Ukoli   Gol” , “ roi roi keteki”, “tilai tilai”, “kurua botah”,  “Xurore Deulore”, “Bilote Halise” etc.

Films:  He was music director of movie “Siraj”. He acted in “Era bator Sur” and Bhupen Hazarika’s “Pratidhwani”.  Rabha assisted Jyotiprasad Agarwala in making of first assamese film Joymoti.

Theater: There have been many live performances at the Baan theatre in Tezpur which is famously connected to Bishnu Rava. This theatre (Ban Stage) where many of Bishnu Rabha's plays have been staged is designed by renowned architect Upendra Kr. Baruah

Dance: Bishnu Rabaha was an prominent dancer. His “Tandava” dance in Varanashi was so mesmerizing that Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrisnan awarded him the title “Kalaguru”.

Books: Rabha was a noteworthy writer. His works include: Bono-Kobang, Mising Coneng, Sonpahi, Axomiya Kristir Samu Abahash and Atit Axom.

Politics and social works: He actively participated in the freedom movement and this affected his education. He wrote many slogans and hoisted Indian tricolour falgs in many government buildings in Calcutta. This forced British police to issue non-bailable warrant against him. Bishnu Rabha fled from calcutta to Tezpur and started his activities from there. He led Assam in the freedom movement and parallely expressing his in born artistic talents. He donated all his inherited 2500 bighas of land to the poor farmers.