The Pratima Barua Pandey Award 2025 highlights Assam’s continuous efforts to preserve and promote its rich folk and cultural heritage. Recently, the award was presented to Ratneshwar Moran, a well-known exponent of folk culture, at a function organised at Chandmari, near the statue of the legendary Goalparia Lok Geet maestro Pratima Barua Pandey.
Importantly, such developments are highly relevant for UPSC, APSC, and other State Government competitive exams, especially under GS Paper I (Indian Culture), GS Paper V (Assam-specific Studies), and the Interview stage. Questions on regional culture, folk traditions, and cultural preservation frequently appear in these examinations.
About the Pratima Barua Pandey Award:
The Pratima Barua Pandey Award has been instituted by the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU). It aims to honour individuals who have made exceptional contributions to Assam’s folk culture.
What are the Components of this Award?
- A formal citation
- A memento
- A traditional xarai
- An eri chador
- A traditional jacket
- A cash award of ₹25,000
Through this award, AASU actively recognises cultural practitioners who keep Assam’s indigenous traditions alive.
Ratneshwar Moran – Recipient of the Pratima Barua Pandey Award 2025:
Background of Ratneshwar Moran:
Ratneshwar Moran hails from Bormesai Shimoluguri in the Kakopathar area of Tinsukia district, Assam. Over the years, he has earned recognition as a dedicated folk culture exponent, deeply rooted in indigenous traditions.
Contribution to Folk Culture:
- He has devoted his entire life to preserving and promoting Assam’s folk traditions.
- He actively works to keep indigenous cultural expressions alive at a time when many traditional art forms face decline.
- His efforts ensure intergenerational transmission of folk knowledge, music, and practices.
Therefore, the award acknowledges not only his personal achievement but also the broader importance of grassroots cultural preservation.
Pratima Barua Pandey (3rd October, 1934 – 27th December, 2002):
Life and Identity:
Pratima Barua Pandey was one of Assam’s most celebrated folk singers and a legendary exponent of Goalparia Lok Geet. She belonged to the Royal Family of Gauripur in the district of Dhubri, Assam. She was the daughter of Prakritish Chandra Baruah (Lalji) and niece of renowned filmmaker Pramathesh Barua.
Moreover, she earned widespread respect by taking Goalparia folk songs beyond Assam and introducing them to national and international audiences. As a recognition of her pioneering efforts, she was honoured with prestigious awards such as the Padma Shri and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.
Contribution of Pratima Barua Pandey to Assam’s Culture:
1. Popularisation of Goalparia Lok Geet:
Firstly, Pratima Barua Pandey played a decisive role in reviving and popularising Goalparia folk music. It reflects the rural life, emotions, and social realities of Assam.
2. Preservation of Folk Identity:
Secondly, she preserved the authentic folk style, resisting excessive modernisation while ensuring wider reach.
3. Cultural Integration:
Moreover, her music helped integrate Assam’s regional folk traditions into the larger Indian cultural landscape, strengthening cultural unity.
Because of her immense contribution, she continues to be remembered as the Goalparia Lok Geet maestro.
Significance of the Pratima Barua Pandey Award for Assam’s Cultural Heritage:
The Pratima Barua Pandey Award plays a crucial role in Assam’s cultural ecosystem.
- It encourages folk artists to continue their work despite economic and social challenges.
- It brings public and institutional attention to endangered folk traditions.
- It strengthens Assamese cultural identity in a globalised world.
- It promotes community-based cultural preservation, rather than top-down approaches.
Thus, the award acts as both recognition and motivation.
Conclusion:
The conferment of the Pratima Barua Pandey Award on Ratneshwar Moran reflects Assam’s deep respect for its folk traditions and cultural custodians. At the same time, it honours the enduring legacy of Pratima Barua Pandey. She carried Goalparia Lok Geet to wider audiences.
In an era of rapid cultural change, such recognition reaffirms the importance of preserving indigenous traditions, making this topic culturally significant.
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FAQ:
The Pratima Barua Pandey Award is a cultural honour instituted by the All Assam Students’ Union. It recognises individuals who have made outstanding contributions to preserving and promoting Assam’s folk and indigenous cultural traditions.
In 2025, the award was conferred on Ratneshwar Moran for his lifelong dedication to safeguarding and transmitting Assam’s indigenous folk culture at the grassroots level.
Pratima Barua Pandey was a legendary folk singer and the foremost exponent of Goalparia Lok Geet. She played a crucial role in reviving and popularising this folk tradition at national and international levels, earning honours like the Padma Shri and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.
