Aideu Handique: The First Actress Of Assamese Cinema And Her Forgotten Legacy

Aideu Nilambar Handique, born in 1915 in Panidihingia village of Golaghat, Assam, holds the title of being Assam’s first film actress. She etched her name into history by playing the lead role in Joymoti (1935) — the first Assamese feature film, directed and produced by the cultural icon Jyotiprasad Agarwala and based on a play written by Lakshminath Bezbarua.

The Journey to Joymoti (1935)

Aideu’s journey to stardom began when a cousin showed her photo to Jyotiprasad Agarwala, who was in search of a girl to portray the courageous queen Joymoti. At just 16 years old, Aideu was taken to Agarwala’s tea estate, where she was trained in acting — how to walk, talk, emote, and perform on screen.

Despite having no prior acting experience, Aideu’s performance was widely appreciated for its natural grace and authenticity. Her portrayal of Joymoti became a pioneering moment in Indian regional cinema. Yet, it came with an unimaginable cost.

Social Ostracism and Tragic Life

While the film was a milestone, Aideu’s return to her village was met with humiliation and rejection. Conservative Assamese society of the 1930s viewed her decision to act in a film — especially in close proximity to men — as taboo. Worse still, her on-screen dialogue addressing her co-actor as “Bongohordeo” (husband) was considered sacrilegious. As a result, her family was ostracized, and she was not even allowed to re-enter her own home.

The rest of Aideu Handique’s life was lived in poverty and isolation, confined to a modest cowshed behind her house. She remained unmarried, not because of personal choice, but because no one in the village was willing to marry a woman who had “acted with men.”

A Forgotten Pioneer Rediscovered

After Joymoti, Aideu never received another film role. She never even saw the completed film during her early years. It wasn’t until 1985, during the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Assamese cinema, that she was remembered again. The state government presented her with a cassette copy of the film’s remnants and granted her a modest pension of ₹1,000 per month.

Sadly, the honor and recognition came too late. Years of illness and neglect took their toll. Aideu Handique passed away on December 17, 2002, leaving behind a powerful story of courage, societal injustice, and unrecognized legacy.

Legacy of Aideu Handique

• The first female face of Assamese cinema.

• A symbol of the early struggles of women in Indian film.

• A tale that reflects the social stigma associated with women performers in pre-independence India.

• Honored posthumously in various film festivals and documentaries.

• The Aideu Handique Memorial in Golaghat commemorates her contribution.

Why Her Story Matters Today

In a time when women actors are celebrated nationwide, Aideu Handique’s life is a sobering reminder of the price some pioneers paid for stepping into a male-dominated, conservative world. Her courage not only broke cinematic ground in Assam but also started a conversation about gender, art, and social acceptance.

Conclusion

Aideu Handique’s name deserves to be remembered not just as a film actress, but as a trailblazer who challenged the norms of her time. Her role in Joymoti may have lasted only a few reels, but her impact on Assamese and Indian cinema echoes through generations.

Let her story inspire us to recognize, respect, and celebrate the sacrifices of those who dared to dream when society did not.