Biography of Indra Bania – First Assamese actor to win International Award

Indra Bania is one of the strongest actors who occupies a distinct position in the hearts of the audience. Indra Bania is the  man who brought to Assam glory by winning the Best Actor Award at the Locarno International Film Festival for the first time.

Biography of Indra Bania

Biography of Indra Bania

Join Telegram channel

Table of Contents

NameIndra Bania[1]
Date of BirthDecember 24,1942
Place of BirthDhalpur in Lakhimpur
Parents NameFather – Anandaram Bania and Mother – Padumi Baruah.
Wife Minu Bania
SonGaurav Bania.
Awards1) Silver Leopard (Locarno Film Festival,1988)
2) Natasurya Phani Sarma Award (2010)
DeathMarch 25, 2015

Early Life of Indra Bania

Indra Bania was one of the most loving personality of the theatre loving peoples. Growing up into a cultural family in Dhalpur in Lakhimpur, Indra Bania was attracted towards theatre and acting since his childhood while performing in Bhauna. It is because of his immense love for acting in parallel with performing in Bhauna with his childhood friends in the village’s namghar(temple) he was attracted towards acting, and now he is recognised as one of the strongest actor.

Bania was born at Dhalpur village in North Lakhimpur, Assam on 24 December 1942 to an indigenous Assamese community recognised as a Scheduled Caste. After completing his primary education, in 1958, he came to Guwahati for higher education. In parallel to his studies, he began his acting career as a stand up comedian. He started to earn a living through performing popular comedy shows on the stage performing across Assam. Indra Bania, was attracted to the performances of Chandra Phukan and Sardakanta Bordoloi, the most common actors in the Assam’s theatre world, he was also attracted towards the performances of renowned playwrights Shambhu Mitra, Utpal Dutta, Sapti Mitra who came to Assam from Kolkata to act.

Also Read : Biography of Barsha Rani Bishaya

Achievements of Indra Bania

Genuine personality, simplicity, funny personality owner Indira Bania through Akashvani Guwahati and in the Tarun Saikia’s play ‘Govardhan Charitʼ made his mark in the hearts of the Assamese people by playing the central role.

Pulak Gogoi directorial ‘Khuj’ made his actor debut in 1975 and subsequently acted in more than 35 films. The films played by Indra Bania  are – Khuj (1975), Adalat (1976), Mrs. Mahimamayi (1979), Aparupa (1982), Apakhya (Hindi version of Aparupa), Sindoor(1984), Agnisnan (1985), Pooja (1985), Surajya(1985), Bohagor Duporia (1985), Papori(1986), Halodhia Choraye Baodhan Khai(1987), Jetuki (1987), Dhrubatara (1990), Uttarkaal (1990), Ronga Modaar (1992), Haladhar (1992), Mimangsha (1994), Urvashi (1995), Jouwane Amoni Kore(1995), Matshyagandha (2000), Daman Hindi (2001), Sesh Upahaar (2002), Koina Mur Dhunia (2002), Moromi Hobane Logori (2002), Aai Kot Nai(2008), Jangfai Jonak (2012), Dhunia Tirutabur, Samiran Barua Ahi Ase etc.

In 1988, Jahnu Barua, the best known filmmaker from Assam, chose Bania to play the lead role of Raseswar Bora in Halodhia Choraye Baodhan Khai. Indra Bania is the first Assamese actor to be awarded internationally. He won the best actor title at the Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland by playing the role of Raseshwar in the film Halodhia Choraye Baodhan Khai directed by  Jahnu Barua based on the story of writer Homen Bargohani.  Bania is the first Assamese and the fifth Indian to receive the award.

Conclusion

Bania had acted in more than 40 Assamese films, he had also directed few award-winning films besides acting in films an TV seriels. Indra Bania, who has acted in various plays in Assam as well as Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, Cuttack, Kerala, Raniganj etc. also acted in the world of mobile theatre through Purvarun theatre in the eighties.

Bania, was also closely associated with Aikyatan, an amateur theatre group based in Guwahati.

Bania died on Wednesday, 25 March 2015 at Hayat Hospital in Guwahati, Assam, at the age of 72 due to prolonged illness. Indra Bania, who has been making the most of his life with an artistic tendency, will forever occupy a distinct place in the minds and hearts of the audience, even though he is not physically present in this world.

FAQ

1. When and where was Indra Bania born?

Ans: He was born on December 24,1942 at Dhalpur Lakhimpur.

2. Who was Indra Bania?

Ans: Indra Bania was an Indian theatre actor, playwright, film actor and director from Assam, who earned the Silver Leopard Best Actor’s award at the Locarno International Film Festival.

3. When did Indra Bania won Silver Best Actor’s Award?

Ans: He won Silver Leopard best actor award at Locarno Film Festival in1988.

4. When did Bania won Natasurya Phani Award?

Ans: Bania won Natasurya Phani Award in 2010.

5. Name some of the films where Bania acted.

Ans: Some of the films where Bania acted are – Aparoopa, Agnisnaan, Halodhia Choraye Baodhan Khai, Haladhar, Aadalat, Apeksha etc.

6. When and where did Indra Bania died?

Ans: Bania died on Wednesday, 25 March 2015 at Hayat Hospital in Guwahati, Assam, at the age of 72.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top