Guwahati, Aug. 11 -- Assam's cultural stage has lost one of its brightest lights with the passing of Hemanta Duttaa playwright, lyricist, director, and actor whose work reshaped the very soul of Assamese performing arts.

The 83-year-old cultural icon breathed his lastat the ICU of Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) on Monday, leaving behind an artistic legacy that will echo through generations.

Born on 24 September 1941 at Kharupetia in Assam's Darrang district, to Haliram Dutta and Birja Bala Dutta, Hemanta Dutta was the fourth child in his family.

His early education in Mangaldai, followed by higher studies at Dibrugarh's Kanoi College, marked the fertile ground where his artistic instincts began to bloom.

It was here he me...