Gauhati University has officially signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the family of the esteemed Jyoti Prasad Agarwala, aiming to preserve and document his influential works for future generations. Jyoti Prasad Agarwala, honored as ‘Rupkonwar,’ is celebrated as a pivotal figure in Assamese art and culture, with a significant legacy that includes nearly 300 songs and numerous films, which continue to resonate within the Assamese cultural identity. The signing took place at the Vice Chancellor’s Conference Room, initiating a collaborative project focused on the preservation, documentation, and digitization of original manuscripts, film scripts, letters, architectural sketches, and other rare artifacts associated with Agarwala’s work, currently in the possession of his family.
These valuable materials are set to be housed at the Krishna Kanta Handiqui Library, Gauhati University, and will be made available for academic research and public knowledge in accordance with established archival practices. Noteworthy attendees at the signing included Prof Nani Gopal Mahanta, Vice Chancellor of Gauhati University, and Agarwala’s daughters, Gyanashree Pathak and Satyashree Das, marking a significant commitment between the university and the Agarwala family. This initiative aims to protect and promote an essential segment of Assam’s cultural and intellectual heritage, ensuring that Agarwala’s contributions remain accessible for research, teaching, and public engagement for generations to come.
