Skip to content Skip to navigation

Sajan Nayak Recognised for Contributions to Traditional Assamese Performing Arts

By Prantik Deka |

Guwahati: Cultural practitioner and artist Sajan Nayak has been drawing attention for his sustained contributions to the promotion and preservation of traditional Assamese performing arts, particularly music and dance associated with Adivasi, tea tribe (Baganiya), Sadri, and broader Assamese traditions.

An active lyricist, composer, music director, actor, and dancer, Nayak has worked across multiple artistic disciplines. He has written several songs that have gained popularity within and beyond Assam, including “Chal Gori,” “Ekadashi Ratiya,” and “Assam Desh.” A number of his compositions rooted in tea-tribe culture have been performed by noted Assamese singer Zubeen Garg, contributing to wider visibility for these musical traditions.

Apart from music, Nayak has been actively involved in dance performances and training. He has performed on stages across Assam and in other parts of India, presenting traditional Assamese dance forms at national-level events. He has also conducted dance and music workshops in various locations, aimed at encouraging young people to engage with performing arts and pursue structured artistic training.

Nayak has performed before several distinguished guests, including President of India Droupadi Murmu, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. His performances have also featured at major events in Assam, including the Filmfare Awards ceremony and the Khelo India programme.

On February 24, 2025, Nayak served as the lead trainer and music director for a large-scale cultural presentation titled “Jhumoir Binandini,” held in Guwahati and commissioned by the Government of Assam. The event featured around 8,000 tea-tribe performers presenting the traditional Jhumur dance and drew attention at both national and international levels. Nayak also lent his voice to three songs during the presentation.

In recognition of his work, Nayak was designated a Jhumoir Guru by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, in 2024.

Observers note that Nayak’s work reflects a sustained effort to promote Assamese cultural traditions and support younger generations of performers through training and mentorship.

Author info

Prantik Deka's picture

Prantik Deka. Email: prantikdeka@gmail.com
  • 1515 reads

Add new comment

Other Contents by Author

‘Prastabana — The Preamble’ to Hit Screens on January 16, Takes a Hard Look at Politics and Youth

The New Year brings encouraging news for Assamese cinema lovers with the announcement that Prastabana — The Preamble will release in theatres on January 16. Produced under the banner of JD and KP Productions, the film marks a directorial collaboration between Dilip Borah and Manik Roy. Based on Dilip Borah’s acclaimed novel Yatra, the film offers a sharp critique of political apathy and interference, particularly its corrosive impact on education and the lives of young people. Through a compelling narrative, Prastabana — The Preamble examines how political manipulation can undermine academic institutions and weaken the foundational values of democracy. Making their directorial debut...

‘Phoshong’: GSNV Brings a Charming Puppet Play for Young Audiences

Guwahati Sishu Natya Vidyalaya (GSNV) is set to present Phoshong, a contemporary children’s puppet play adapted from Madhurima Gharphalia’s Sahitya Akademi Award-winning short story collection Phosong. The production will be staged on November 18 and 19 at the Sri Sri Madhavadeva International Auditorium in Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra. The adaptation and direction are led by theatre practitioner and GSNV founder Manik Roy, who has undertaken the project to revive interest in puppetry—an art form that has seen a decline in recent years. Roy hopes that Phoshong will introduce children and young adults to the visual richness of puppetry while helping them understand its embedded moral...

“Jaubane Amoni Kore-2”: A Musical Revival of Assamese Cinema’s Iconic Legacy

The first song along with the promotional poster of the highly anticipated Assamese film ‘Jaubane Amoni Kore-2’ was unveiled during a lively event held at the Rudra Barua Auditorium of Jyoti Chitrabon Studio in Guwahati recently. The musical composition titled ‘Rohedoi Rosoki’ has been both written and composed by Palash Surya Gogoi, who also serves as one of the music directors for the film. Performers Dikshu Sarma and Chayanika Bhuyan’s rendition of this catchy tune left the eager audience, who had gathered with high expectations, feeling incredibly happy and content. It must be noted that ‘Jaubane Amoni Kore-2’, produced by Ashok Kumar Bishaya and Happy Moni Bishaya under the banner...

Ranjit Sarma’s Novel The Tents Unveiled at Guwahati Press Club

Guwahati, August 22: Assam’s noted screenplay writer Ranjit Sarma has released his much-anticipated novel The Tents, adding another significant work to his creative repertoire. The book was launched at the Guwahati Press Club in the presence of eminent personalities from Assam’s literary and social circles. Sarma, celebrated for his collaborations with filmmakers such as Bidyut Chakraborty (Rag-Birag, Nisiddha Nadi), Manju Bora (Baibhav, Anya Ek Jatra), Sanjeev Hazorika (Mimangsa), and Hemanta Kumar Das (Othello), has long established himself as one of the leading voices in Assamese cinema. Beyond screenwriting, he has penned the Assamese novelette Amithabhar Janma Mritu and a range of...

Harsyajit Kumar Goyary Among 24 Asian Fellows Selected for AFA, Busan

Emerging filmmaker Harsyajit Kumar Goyary, hailing from a small town in Assam, has been selected as one of the 24 Asian Fellows at the prestigious Asian Film Academy (AFA), held during the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF). The AFA is a rigorous 20-day program that provides hands-on filmmaking experience, mentorship from acclaimed directors, and opportunities to engage with global industry professionals. Representing India along with two other participants, Harsyajit will head the sound department in the production of four short films at the academy. A postgraduate in Sound Recording and Design from the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, Harsyajit earlier...

Tribute to Birubala Rabha through Musical Ballad ‘Bala – A Musical Ballad’ ’

Darpan Dance Akademi, a prominent dance institution located in Guwahati, recently presented ‘Bala’, an intricate and stimulating musical ballad, at the Sri Sri Madhavadeva International Auditorium of Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra, honouring the late Birubala Rabha, a Padma Shri recipient celebrated for her valiant efforts in combating witch hunting and her commitment to challenging deeply ingrained superstitions. The musical ballad garnered significant attention not only for its artistic expression but also for its poignant message, which highlighted issues of social justice and empowerment. The primary component that enthralled the audience was the depiction of the protagonist in ‘...

Poster, Trailer, and Songs of Assamese Film ‘Prastawana – The Preamble’ Launched in Guwahati

Guwahati: The team behind the Assamese film Prastawana – The Preamble unveiled its poster, trailer, and soundtrack at a vibrant event in Juripar, Panjabari, Guwahati. Directed by Dilip Borah and Manik Roy, the film is set for release within the next two to three months, following its announcement last year. Adapted from Dilip Borah’s acclaimed novel Yatra, inspired by true events, the film is produced by Borah and Dr. Rabin Saikia. It has already generated buzz with the release of three striking posters, a compelling trailer, and three soulful songs. Borah, a celebrated novelist, short story writer, essayist, and columnist, brings his evocative storytelling to the screen, while co-...

Assamese Film ‘Prastawana – The Preamble’ Set to Explore Politics, Education, and Constitutional Values

Assamese cinema is set to welcome a thought-provoking new addition with the upcoming release of ‘Prastawana – The Preamble’, a film inspired by the acclaimed literary work ‘Yatra’ by renowned author Dilip Borah. Known for his impactful novels, short stories, essays, and columns, Borah’s powerful storytelling has long resonated with readers across generations. His work has now served as the foundation for a cinematic venture that explores the interplay between politics and education in India. ‘Prastawana – The Preamble’ delves into the prevailing social and political environment of the country and examines how it affects students who find themselves caught within the complexities of the...

Filmmaker Dr. Shankar Borua talks about his new film BLUE OCEAN

Dr. Shankar Borua is a distinguished scholar-practitioner, filmmaker, entrepreneur, and startup mentor with over two decades of multifaceted experience across academia, creative industries, and entrepreneurial ecosystems in both North America and South Asia. Born and raised in Assam, Dr. Borua holds a Ph.D. in Mass Communications from Texas Tech University, USA. His doctoral research, titled “American Political Documentaries: Structure, Agency, and Communication of Meaning”, reflects his deep academic engagement with media, culture, and storytelling. Dr. Borua’s career seamlessly blends rigorous academic scholarship with hands-on industry practice. In a well-regarded body of work that...

Assamese Anthology Film ‘Kahini Nohoi’ Pays Tribute to Hitchcockian Suspense

Assamese cinema is set to explore the enigmatic depths of storytelling with its second anthological film, ‘Kahini Nohoi’ (Not a Story), a suspenseful homage to the legendary Alfred Hitchcock. Seven years after the release of the state’s first anthology, ‘Ji Golpor Ses Nai’ (2019), this new project promises to unravel mysteries hidden in everyday life through three interconnected yet distinct narratives. Inspired by Hitchcock’s mastery of thrill and intrigue, ‘Kahini Nohoi’ adapts celebrated literary works into cinematic tales, each helmed by a different director. The anthology format allows for diverse storytelling styles while maintaining a cohesive thematic thread—exploring the unseen...