Jonaki Cinema, established in 1937, is not just Assam’s oldest movie theater but also a testament to the visionary spirit of RupkonwarJyoti Prasad Agarwala, a luminary in the realm of Assamese cinema and culture. After completing the first Assamese film, Joymoti in 1935, Agarwala realized there were no permanent cinema halls in Assam for regular screenings. Thus, he embarked on an audacious journey to build Assam's first purpose-built cinema hall in his hometown, Tezpur.

Despite skepticism from those around him, Agarwala's pioneering zeal pushed forward the construction of Jonaki, which was built in a matter of weeks. The hall was constructed using iron trusses, bricks, lime paste, and wooden balconies, signifying a blend of local materials and ingenuity. The hall’s original dimensions were modest, but the sheer effort in its creation was groundbreaking. Located behind the Agarwala family home, the hall was named Jonaki (meaning 'firefly')—a metaphor for bringing light and entertainment to the people.

In the year of its inauguration, 1937, Jonaki opened its doors with the screening of Elephant Boy, a British film that starred SabuDastagir, an Indian boy. The film drew crowds, and Jonaki became a beacon of cinematic culture in the region.

Though Jonaki had an initial run of success, its fortunes began to dwindle due to the small town's limited audience and the challenges of sustaining a regular film exhibition business. As Jyoti Prasad Agarwala shifted his focus to other cultural and political activities, Jonaki was leased to Abdul Hussain, a local businessman, but business continued to decline. Eventually, the government canceled the hall's license due to structural weaknesses.

It was Agarwala’s youngest brother, HridayanandaAgarwala, who revived Jonaki. After a series of renovations and repairs, Jonaki reopened in 1941 with a screening of Blockhead, a Laurel and Hardy classic. Hridayananda’s dedication kept Jonaki afloat, even during World War II when Tezpur became a hub for Allied forces, who frequented the cinema.

Throughout the decades, Jonaki remained an important cultural landmark, witnessing the highs and lows of Assamese cinema and the entertainment industry. By the 1960s, Assam's cinema scene was thriving, and Jonaki expanded its seating capacity to 1,000. However, as television and home video became more accessible in the 1980s and 1990s, single-screen theaters like Jonaki faced tough competition.

Despite these challenges, the Agarwala family persevered. In 2009, Jonaki embraced the digital era, screening the Oscar-winning film Slumdog Millionaire as its first digital presentation. This step revitalized the cinema, drawing in new audiences and rekindling its former glory.

Jonaki’s story is not just about a cinema hall but also about the resilience and passion of the Agarwala family, who fought to keep Jyoti Prasad Agarwala's vision alive. Today, Jonaki remains a cultural institution, a reminder of the early struggles and triumphs of Assamese cinema. While multiplexes may dominate the modern landscape, Jonaki’s enduring legacy is a testament to the pioneering spirit that gave birth to Assam’s cinematic journey.

Jonaki continues to serve as a vital thread in Assam’s cultural fabric, symbolizing the early days of cinema in the state and the dedication of its founding family. It stands as a living tribute to RupkonwarJyoti Prasad Agarwala, whose contributions to Assamese culture transcend cinema.