Museum Dedicated to Padma Shri Pratima Barua Pandey to Open in Gauripur

Gauripur's Hawakhana to Showcase Folk Music Legacy

Guwahati, Sept 20: The legacy of renowned Goalpariya folk music artist Padma Shri Pratima Barua Pandey is set to be honored with a dedicated museum at Gauripur’s historic Hawakhana. This initiative aims to celebrate her life, music, and cultural contributions.

On Saturday, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inspected the ongoing restoration efforts at the heritage site in Matiabag, as the government seeks to transform it into a prominent center for preserving Pandey’s legacy.

During the review of the project's first phase, Sarma noted that significant progress has been made in reviving the old structure, which had suffered deterioration over time.

The next phase will concentrate on establishing the Pratima Barua Pandey Museum, featuring exhibits that highlight Goalpariya folk music and artifacts related to the singer's life and career.

“We have received valuable items from her family and the Dhubri Museum. I encourage anyone with assets related to Pandey to contribute them to Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra or the Dhubri DC,” he stated.

Sarma emphasized that the museum will blend traditional and contemporary elements, showcasing displays on traditional hunting practices, along with the associated tools and weapons, as well as exhibits on Goalpariya folk music and the accolades Pandey received throughout her life.

Incorporating technology, the museum plans to feature a hologram of Pandey performing her songs, along with AR/VR experiences as part of the project.

“We are making steady progress on the project and expect to complete it within a year,” Sarma remarked.

While the main structure has been built, conservation efforts are still needed, especially for original documents and materials that require careful handling.

“The building is ready, but original texts must be preserved and copies made available for public viewing. We are also focusing on digital and technological conservation,” he added.

Sarma expressed that the finished project will become a significant heritage site for the state.

Regarding accommodation, he mentioned that visitors can stay in Gauripur or Dhubri, but not within the palace itself. Access to the heritage site will be regulated by specific timings and rules.

Additionally, the Chief Minister noted that details of Bhupen Hazarika’s time at the site and the songs he composed there will also be included in the museum.

The Assam government has been working on the revival and preservation of Hawakhana, also known as Lalbagh Palace, for the past two to three years, closely linking the project to Pratima Barua Pandey's legacy.

Earlier, the government acquired the historic property from the Gauripur royal family for Rs 15.20 crore in January 2023, assigning it to the Department of Cultural Affairs for restoration and preservation as a museum in memory of Pratima Barua Pandey.

The Matiabag Palace, also referred to as Hawakhana, was constructed by Raja Prabhat Chandra Barua of the Gauripur royal family and completed in 1914.

Situated along the banks of the Gadadhar, the palace is deeply intertwined with the region’s royal, artistic, and cultural heritage.