Jaya Saikia Duarah

Joya Saikia Dowerah, an esteemed Assamese actress and the first Bihu Kuwori, was born on January 12, 1951, in Panigaon, Lakhimpur district, Assam. The daughter of Joga and Kalyani Saikia, she grew up in a culturally rich environment; her father was a teacher and a practitioner of Xatriya culture, while her mother was a talented singer.

From a young age, Joya displayed a natural flair for the arts. At just eight years old, she captivated audiences with her performance in the play “Prahlad” and became a regular participant in cultural events at the Lakhimpur district library.

Joya’s acting career took off with the Brajen Barua-directed film “Mukuta (1970)” , which was a commercial success. Her performance in the play “Prempotro,” broadcasted by All India Radio Guwahati, caught Barua’s attention and led to her casting in “Mukuta.” She continued to work with Barua, featuring in his film “Lalita,” and went on to act in notable Assamese films such as “Bhaiti,” “Momota,” “Protidan,” “Obhiman,” “Ronga Nodi,” “Gorom Botah,” and “Mohamanab.”

Despite her promising career, Joya’s filmography is not extensive due to her time abroad. After marrying Basanta Duwerah, an engineer with the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited, in 1973, she spent eight years in the USA and a few years in Mumbai. Nevertheless, she had the privilege of acting in “Bhodori,” directed by Nip Barua, which was the first film shot at Jyoti Chitraban.

The couple has been blessed with a son and a daughter. Upon returning from the USA, Basanta built a multi-storey building in Milanpur, Chandmari, where the family started anew. Joya also contributed to the arts through her work with the Directorate of Cultural Affairs, attached to Rabindra Bhawan in Guwahati.

Joya’s impact on Assamese culture extends beyond cinema. In 1971, she was honored as the first Bihu Kuwori by Latasil Bihu Sanmilani in Guwahati, a title that sparked the tradition of Bihu Kuwori competitions across Assam to recognize the best Bihu dancers. Her contributions to Assamese culture were further acknowledged when she received the prestigious Bishnu Rabha Award from the Assam government on June 20, 2012.

Joya Saikia Dowerah’s legacy in Assamese cinema and culture remains influential, marking her as a cherished figure in the state’s artistic history.