The prestigious Amulya Manna Photography Award 2025 will honor the illustrious photographer, film director, and National Award-winning film critic Utpal Datta for his outstanding contributions to visual storytelling. In a recent press release, the Amulya Manna Memorial Society highlighted Datta’s remarkable achievements and announced the award, which will be presented on the occasion of Amulya Manna’s death anniversary.
Established to recognize and celebrate exceptional photographers, the award has previously been bestowed upon luminaries such as Shri Nalini Baruah, Samir Chowdhury, Mahendra Baruah, and filmmaker Suman Duwara since 2021. This year’s award comes with a cash prize of ₹20,000, a certificate, and a memorial, underscoring the significance of Datta’s lifelong dedication to the craft.
Utpal Datta’s journey in photography is both inspiring and rooted in heritage. His passion was kindled by his father, Golok Chandra Datta, a photographer from whom he received his first lessons. In 1975, as a young student, Utpal’s photograph was published in Assam Bani, marking the beginning of an illustrious career. Throughout college, he contributed photographs to prominent newspapers and magazines such as Bismoi and Roopkar, showcasing his unique artistic vision.
Datta’s versatility extended to the cinema, where he served as a still cinematographer for Bhabendra Nath Saikia’s acclaimed films Kolahal and Sarathi, with his images immortalised in film posters. His contributions to Priyajan and Baroshi further solidified his reputation as a master behind the lens. The Utpal-Dhanjit Calendar, published annually since 2009 and featuring his evocative photography, has received national acclaim and recognition.
Beyond photography, Datta’s creative genius shines in his short films, which have been screened at prestigious national and international film festivals and earned him accolades, including the State Film Award. Last year, his solo exhibition in Guwahati received widespread admiration, further cementing his legacy as a visionary artist.
The Amulya Manna Photography Award is a fitting tribute to Utpal Datta’s extraordinary contributions to the arts, which inspired generations of artists to pursue excellence.
