Actors remember Aaideu Handique

Guwahati: Veteran Assamese actresses came together to fondly remembered the trailblazing Aaideu Handique, who paved the way for women's participation in Assamese cinema, on her death anniversary on Tuesday. Aaideu acted as the lead role in Jyoti Prasad Agarwala's first Assamese cinema "Joymoti" released in 1935, donning the title of being the first Assamese actress at a young age of 15. Her courageous decision to act in the movie came at a great personal cost, as she was ostracised by society at that time. Aaideu had to remain unmarried as she referred to the co-actor assuming the role of her character's husband as Bongohordeo (husband in Assamese) in the film. The society perceived Handique as violating a cultural taboo and she was, consequently, shunned by neighbours and was shunned into solitude and obscurity.Acknowledging the challenges Aaideu had to face just for acting in a movie, national award winner Malaya Goswami said Aaideu had left a great legacy for the generations of actresses to come. "She had opened the door for us to perform in cinemas. For doing so, she should have been acknowledged, instead she had to endure immense difficulties her entire life. Now, the times have changed and lots of women have chosen acting as their profession. However, to attain this someone had to remain ostracised her entire life. We should always keep her contributions in mind which made our participation easy," the veteran actress told TOI. Actress Runu Devi said apart from remembering her on the death anniversary, the younger generation should try to study the works of legendary artists and govt should also take initiative to showcase their works to the new generation artists. "Jyoti Prasad made Joymoti with very limited resources and without technological assistance, unlike today. Both movie buffs and aspiring artists should watch their work and try to feel the hurdles they faced to take Assamese cinema to the point where it is today."Reba Phukan, veteran actress from the 1980s, said, "When I stepped into the world of cinema, things were very normal and the society easily accepted that. It became possible because Aaideu Handique dared to break the barriers and challenge societal norms. I am short of words to express my gratitude to the legendary woman."CM Himanta Biswa Sarma also paid tribute to the artistic luminary, saying govt is committed to uphold her contributions.
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