A NUMBER OF DEVOTED, selfless and dedicated persons have enriched the Satriya culture by practising the traditional songs and dances at the Satras. One of the remarkable treasures of Barpeta satra is the Kirtan Ghosa – composed by Sri Sri Madhavdev, which included prayer songs by Mathuradas Burha Aata, the first Satradhikar of Barpeta satra. Rajendranath Das, a stout devotee of Satriya culture, has been involved for the last thirty five years till date in performing Ghosa-Kirtan at Barpeta satra.

Rajen Das lost his father at the age of thirteen and was brought-up by his uncle Jibon Chandra Das, a prominent musician of Barpeta. Gradually, he started learning Khol Taal Naam Prasanga, Bargeet and Kirtan Ghosa under the tutelage of Moharam Burha Aata. But it was Kirtan Ghosa expert Umakanta Das Membor who gave shape to Rajen Das’s rendition of the same.

Born in August 1934, Rajen Das is a multifaceted personality, as he is equally well-versed in Bhajan, Shyama Sangeet, Rabindra Sangeet and Assamese modern songs. He even formed a cultural organisation – Kristi Sangha, when he was young, along with like-minded friends in Barpeta. Das represented Barpeta in the Indian Peoples’ Theatre Association’s (IPTA) National Conference held in Guwahati in the 1950s. His presentation of cultural items at the conference drew the attention of IPTA stalwarts like Dr Bhupen Hazarika, Balraj Sahni, Hemanga Biswas, Hemanta Mukherji and others. He came into chose contact with the legendary Moghai Oja, Dilip Sarma and Puroshottam Das. He was influenced and inspired by their progressive outlook.

Beside singing the Kirtan Ghosa daily along with a 18-member group at Barpeta satra, he has been taking part in various cultural functions. Remarkably, Sri Das has been relentlessly working to maintain the originality of the Ghosa-Kirtan and making endeavours to draw the attention of the present generation to learn the Kirtan Ghosa in its proper perspective. He has been imparting training on the subject to a good number of students. Sri Das is also preparing a book of Ghosa-Kirtan, with notations, which is going to help the future generations.

Sri Das is a fine actor too. He was a regular actor in the plays presented in the Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev Kirtan Mahotsav held annually at Brindabanhati of Barpeta. People still remember him for his portrayal of different roles in stage plays at the historic Milan Mandir and Tarun Ram Phookun Hall of Barpeta. Besides taking part in various Satriya cultural programmes, he also represented Barpeta at national level functions outside the State.

Sri Das had to face a lot of struggle in his earlier days. He is a Prabodh degree holder in Hindi and got a job in Maharashtra. But he declined it so that he could pursue his love for the Kirtan Ghosa. His contribution to promoting and preserving the culture of our State is indeed praiseworthy.

Apurba Kumar Das