Aideu Handique


Aideu Nilambar Handique was the first film actress of Assamese cinema. She starred in the film Joymoti directed by Jyoti Prasad Agarwala.

Personal life

Aideu Handique was born on 1920 in Pani Dihingiya, Golaghat, Assam to Nilambar Handique and Malakhi Handique. She remained unmarried because she referred to the co-actor assuming the role of her character's husband as Bongohordeo in the film. Unfortunately, the general public perceived Handique as having violated a cultural taboo and she was, consequently, shunned by neighbors and would sink into solitude and obscurity.

Recognition

She never acted after Joymoti again except for a minuscule role in the film Ganga Siloni and a guest appearance in a film made on her life. In 1985, when Assam celebrated the golden jubilee of the state's cinema, her role was acknowledged. The East Indian Motion Picture Association had gifted Aideu a wheelchair. The Assam Government, much later, gave her Rs.1,500 a month as pension. It also recommended her name for Padmashri, but was denied the award because she had done only one film. In 1991, a girls' school was named after her in her village.

''Aideu'' (''Behind the Screen'')

An Assamese film Aideu was made on Aideu Handique tragic life and times of the first Assamese film actress by Arup Manna which was released in Mumbai International Film Festival in 8 February 2007.