prelude  In the history of the gradual development of Assamese music, we remember the names of lyrical poets like Umesh Chandra Choudhury, Nabin Chandra Bardoloi, Ambikagiri Raichowdhury, Prasannlal Choudhury and Parbatiprasad Barua. During the freedom movement, these poets wrote songs to suit group singing. Among these songs, Nabin Chandra Bardoloi’s Deka Gabharur Dal and Ambikagiri Raichowdhury’s Bol Bhai Aguai will ever remain in the minds of the Assamese people as a great source of inspiration. In 1915, Ambikagiri earned the applause of all by singing his He Janmabhumi Janani Amar Santi Sadhana Swarga, in the Assam Students’ Conference which had Lakshminath Bezbarua in the chair. Umesh Choudhury will be remembered for his song Asoma Nirupama Janani and for his books of music Pratiddhani, Debaddhani and Mandakini. We cannot also leave aside Jyotiprasad’s contemporary Parbatiprasad Barua, who enriched Assamese music by writing Sonar Soleng. On the other hand, Kamalananda Bhattacharyya’s collection of songs Bauli and two songs which were once so largely appreciated – Bilat Tirebiroy Padumor Pahi Oi and Charai Haladhia will make him immortal. In the field of modern Assamese music, mention may be made of Purusottam Das, who composed Srimoyee Asomee, Anandiram Das, Siva Bhattacharyya, Nirmal Mazujmdar, Anukul Nath, Kamal Choudhury, Dilip Sarma, Naba Barua, Brajen Barua, Rudra Barua, Mukul Barua, Molin Bora, Dhan Chandra Das and many others. Above all, Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, who, with a new style both in matter of composition and tune brought a resurgence in Assamese music. Through his efforts, Assamese songs have transcended their limitations and have found a place in other provinces as well. E-mail your questions with answers at: only4_pol@yahoo.co.uk or post at: THE COLOSSEUM, Mosaic, Friday Supplement, The Assam Tribune, Guwahati-781003 or SMS at: 9864102417. Send your name in each SMS.

side screen  1) Picture Clue: This is the stage version of The King and I. The shaved head the actor adopted for the role, for which he is most famous – the King of Siam – became his trademark. The co-star is Virginia McKenna. Identify him.

harmonisers  From Maharnav Gogoi, AEC, Guwahati – 2) Which popular word means ‘single number’ in Japanese? 3) Which form of ballroom dancing is based on the movement of a bullfighter in a bull-ring ? 4) How is the lyricist Shitla Pandey better known as? 5) ‘Eugene the Jeep’ is the magical pet of which famous cartoon character?

unities  From Dipankar Koushik, Guwahati – 6) In Gulzar’s Koshish (1972), where Sanjeev Kumar and Jaya Bhaduri played deaf and mute characters, who played the blind man who lives with the couple? 7) Contrary to the norm then, the music for the film Sholay was not recorded on HMV. Which company bought the music rights for Sholay? 8) The opening train sequence of Sholay is an almost direct lift from which Hollywood film?

do-re-me  9) The Shakespearean play The Merry Wives of Windsor has a unique distinction in it. What is it? ((Pranjal  Kishore  Sharmah, Moscow, Russian  Federation) 10) Who delivered the speech on the Golden Jubilee of India’s Independence at the Red Fort? (Kamal Jyoti Borah, Gauhati University) 11) Who resides at 26, Labrador Road? (Prosenjit ‘Piklu’ Dutta, Aryapatti, Tezpur) 12) If Cain is the first son of Adam and Eve, then who is the second? (Mamoni Barman, Miles Bronson Residential School, Guwahati) 13) Rabindranath Tagore gave the title “Mahatma” to Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. Who bestowed the title “Father of the Nation” upon him? (Amiya Kumar Baruah, Phulaguri, Nagaon) 14) What is the Japanese term for grilled, broiled or pan-fried meat? (Deepjyoti Deka, Nalbari)

crescendo  15) Connect Bombay Dyeing and The Star Spangled Banner. (Jayanta Kumar Nath, Tezpur)

answers  1) Yul Brynner 2) Sudoku 3) Poso Doble 4) Sameer 5) Olive Oyl of ‘Popeye’ fame 6) Om Shivpuri 7) Polydor 8) North West Frontier 9) It is the only Shakespearean play to have an English place name in its title 10) I. K. Gujral 11) Tintin12) Abel 13) Subhash Chandra Bose 14) Yakimono 15) The Wadias of India. They own Bombay Dyeing and they built the ship HMS Minden, aboard which the American national anthem The Star Spangled Banner was composed.