Assam to institute Moghai Oja Award: CM

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today announced to institute an award in the name of Moghai Oja who was the pioneer in popularising the Dhol (Drum) of Assam to the world stage with his masterful and unparallelled beats.
Speaking at the Sodou Asom Lok Sanskriti Samaroh at Hatigarh in Jorhat District, Gogoi said, "The contribution of Moghai Oja to the world of music unparallelled and as a gesture of gratitude to this great performer, we will institute an award in his name".
Stating that his style of playing the dhol was innovative and his beats kept the audience mesmerised, Gogoi termed Moghai Oja as a pioneer of integration whose music was a symbol of harmony and unity.

Ojha was a great son of Assam who blended the essence of life in his music and popularised and spread Assamese folk culture to the world audience, he said.
Gogoi also announced that the Government would take steps to organise the birth centenary celebrations of Moghai Oja who was born on March 15, 1916, throughout the state.
The chief minister also announced a cash assistance of Rs 20 lakh to the Moghai Oja Kala Kshetra to continue its works in popularising the music of percussion maestro to the world audience.