Aideo Handique who made her heroine debut in the first Assamese film ‘Joymati’, is known to all of us. Aideo Handique is now a symbol of women’s society as well. Only one word ‘Bangahardeo’, the word, which changed the course of her life. Conservative society considered it a serious offence for Aideo who played the role of ‘Joymati’ and addressed Phunu Baruah who played the role of ‘Gadapani’ as ‘Bangahardeo’ and Aideo was excluded from the society with the benefit of the all-round rules and regulations of the society. Living as a spinster for lifelong and who died as a spinster is also a symbol of sacrifice and tolerance.
Biography of Aideo Handique
| Name | Aideo Handique[1] |
| Date of Birth | June 27,1915 (Pani Dihingia Village, Golaghat) |
| Death | December 17, 2002 (Kamargaon, Golaghat) |
| Age | 86 years |
Personal Data Collection
Golaghat’s daughter and heroine of the first Assamese film ‘Joymati’ Aideo Handique’s father name was Nilambar Handique and mother’s name was Lakshmi Handique. She did not pursue any formal education.
Success
Aideo was deprived of the respect that she had to get from the conservative society at that time. Instead charges like wretched, characterless, whore etc. were imposed on her. Jyotiprasad was also unaware of the news about Aideo Handique who was excluded by the society. She was not been reported even after releasing the film ‘Joymati.’ In 1985, Aideo Handique was able to see a part of her starring performance in Joymati. During the 50-year jubilee of Assamese cinema organized by the Assamese government, they saw some of the remaining reels of ‘Joymati.’ At that time, the Assam government arranged for Aideo to get a pension of Rs 1000 per month. In 1991, a girls’ school named Aideo was established in her village.
Also Read : Biography of Jyoti Prasad Agarwala
Biography
It may be recalled that Sundar’r pujari Roopkonwar Jyoti prasad Agarwala started shooting for the first Assamese film ‘Joymati’ since 1933 at Jyoti Chitravan Studios built in The Bholaguri Tea Garden in Gahpur. But fearing the conservative social system did not dare any woman come out for the role of Joymati. Jyotiprasad Agarwala finally got the connection with Ahom girl Sukafa’s daughter Aideo. Agarwala then contacted Aideo’s cousin Dimba Gohain in this regard. Dimba took Aideo to show her water ship and he meted Aideo to Jyotiprasad Agarwala. It was then that a new chapter in Aideo’s life, as ‘Joymati’ begins.
Aideo, who acted like a real husband and wife, is still alive on the pages of the Assamese film industry even today. Aideo managed to capture the character of Joymati alive by silently tolerating the pain and the torture in her raw body like Joymati, beaten by Phani Baruah, the villain of the film. In this context, a song by Zubin Garg rings in ears———
“Bangahardeo mur hunor hulang tumi
Saodang e dhoribo juagoi muk ari
Khohi khohi khohi jabogoi mur dehti
Tothapiu nokome tumar thikonati !”
Aideo returned home after successfully completing her work in the film “Joymati” after accepting a lot of sacrifices. But when she came home, Aideo did not find her house in the same condition as she had left. Aideo became criminal in the eyes of the villagers and the family members. Aideo had to face various slanders and insults everywhere. Aideo did not even able to escape after the rescue atonement also. Aideo had to suffer a lot of mental and family turmoil. On the other hand Aideo went through treatment for several days as a result of physical abuse suffered by the character of Joymati. In one word physical and mental abuse left Aideo in a state of tizzy. The way she was beaten had became a nightmare for her. Aideo thought this torture to be a writing of the law and took the phrase “Once Sorrow, Once happiness” as carefully and as of the law.
Unable to bear the humiliation at last Aideo’s parents set up a small hut house for Aideo to live alone. Aideo herself arranged for the accommodation. After she was excluded from the society she had to lived her own life. Aideo got somewhat relief after getting an helping hand and company from her brother and from her house helper time to time.
One day a true happiness came in Aideo’s life. The earlier perception of the villagers towards Aideo changed. The youth’s efforts have led to the bright scenes of journalists from different directions at the foot of Aideo’s house. Civilized people all came forward to get acquainted with Aideo. In the late hours of her life, the diamond piece swelled twice as much.
“Aideo” released in 2007 is a biography-based story of Aideo Handique. The screenplay was directed by Arup Mannar. Chandana Sharma plays the name role (titular role). The film won the Best Film, Best Director and Best Female Actor award at the Assam Film Festival, 2007. On August 20, 2013, Aideu Talkies, the first mobile film house in northeast India, was born in memory of Aideo Handique.
Conclusion
Aideo Handique spends the last part of her life with her nephews at Kamaragaon in Golaghat. “The East Indian Motion Picture Association” offers a wheel chair to Aideo Handique who can’t move. The Assam government increased her monthly pension to Rs 1500. Her name was also nominated for the Padma Shri award but the award was not given on the pretext of acting in just one film. Aideo Handique died on December 17, 2002.
FAQ
1. When and where was Aideo Handique born?
Ans: She was born on June 27,1915 at Pani Dihingia Village, Golaghat.
2. Who is Aideo Handique?
Ans: Aideo Handique was the first Assamese film actress of Assamese cinema who acted the character of ‘Joymati’ in the film ‘Joymati’ directed by Jyotiprasad Agarwala.
3. When did Aideo Handique died?
Ans: Aideo Handique died on December 17, 2002.
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