It was an evening the other day at Williamson Magor hall of Vivekananda Kendra, Guwahati that amply touched and charged up the finer sentiments of all those present. Primarily organized to release an audio CD of poetry recitation by Anupjyoti Choudhury, the youngest of the four worthy sons of versatile cultural stalwart Lakshyadhar Choudhury, the programme began with impressive recitations by three budding little artistes — Bhaswati Bora, Aditya Baruah and Himakshi Bharadwaj — followed by recitation of a self-composed number by youngster Arunima Goswami, whose rendition reflected her maturity and awareness about the truths and travails of life much beyond her age.

Anup’s album titled Puhorotkoi Endhar Bhal was released by Bina Barua, Nikunjalata Mahanta and Binita Bhattacharyya, the spouses of Navakanta Barua, Keshab Mahanta and Birendra Kumar Bhattacharyya respectively, the giants in Assamese poetry and literature who have departed from this mortal world, leaving behind their creations galore for all to cherish.

Anup took to the stage and recited verses from his album after some snag stopped the audio player. He also sang on stage, probably for the first time, as suggested by his candid speech. But he didn’t disappoint. Anup then cleared the dais for Kamal Hazarika, who recently conducted a workshop on old Assamese songs at Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra.

Approaching eighty but still young at heart, Hazarika sang two beautiful oldies dating back to 1947 and before, with his struggling voice, and reminding everyone of the passion he carries to keep the rich cultural and musical legacy of Assam — so sadly lacking among a section of the neo-rich and modern Assamese today — alive and vibrant.

Former Gauhati University Vice-Chancellor Dr Amarjyoti Choudhury, who was among the select gathering, recited a self-composed poem despite coming to the function unprepared, for his younger brother Anup’s sudden request. Anup’s elder brother medico Dr Anjanjyoti came next and amused all with his ready wit and humour before singing the hilarious Gaga aji gai ja, accompanied by none other than the song’s composer Ramen Baruah himself on the harmonium. The latter’s special vocal effect ga... in between, added colour to the song. Dr Anjan had almost called it quits for the evening, venturing halfway down the stage before singing again on request, this time an old Bhupenda hit Sagar tirot pori rolu ami..., written by Dr Nirmalprabha Bordoloi and tuned by Mukul Barua.

Actor-director Kulada Kumar Bhattacharya also took the dais on Anup’s request and dwelt briefly about how “Amar, Anjan and Anup” have been successfully carrying on the family legacy, honing and harnessing their latent talents inherited from their illustrious father Lakshyadhar Choudhury.

The solemn function was anchored by Madhurima Kakoti, who also contributed to the evening’s food for thought, reciting her self-translated Assamese version of the original Bengali poem Krishna by Brodoti Bandopadhyay, vividly depicting the plight of Draupadi in Mahabharata, sadly being faced by women in cultured societies even in this satellite era. The recitations revolved around subjects as varied as patriotism, valour, love, war, terrorism, heroism, peace, lust and you name it.

Precisely, it was an enthralling evening amidst an august gathering which will surely remain etched in our memories.

Simanta Bhagawati