prelude  After Lakshmiram Barua, who had contributed a lot to the development of modern Assamese music, we also remember national minded Sangeetacharya Kirtinath Sarma Bordoloi, whose feeling of pride about the Assamese heritage revived the riches of Kamrupiya Sangeet. His immortal books Surparichay, Kamrupee Sangeet etc. are invaluable contributions to Assamese music. Not confined to Raga Sangeet, he wrote many lyrical dramas like Basanti Abhisek, Luit Konwar, Sur Bijay etc. composing songs in distinctive Assamese melodies like Byas, Suknanni, Durgabari, Aainam, Biyanam etc. As the chief of Assamese music in the Publicity Department of the Government of Assam, his contribution has no comparison. His song in Durgabari style – Ai Sonar Asom Ho and two other songs – Naame Mandakini Dhar and Akul Meghe Sujal Dhara earned popular praise at that time. Through the efforts of the leaders of modern Assamese music, there was a beginning of the composition of Assamese songs. Yet, there was no effort made to bring Assamese music to the threshold of the new times and Assamese music had yet to wait to introduce itself without any complex. Though as examples of old music, Bangeet, Bhakatia-geet, Aainam and Biyanam etc. had some leeway into educated society, educated Assamese people sneered at Assamese culture, considering it to be somewhat vulgar. Then, there appeared Rupkonwar Jyotiprasad Agarwala, who inaugurated a new chapter in the history of Assamese music and made Assamese tunes acceptable to Assamese society. 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: He directed the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra beginning in 1977, specialising in the Romantic (19th century) repertoire. Identify him. (Mamoni Barman, Miles Bronson Residential School, Guwahati)

harmonisers  From Alakananda Medhi, Guwahati – 2) What was the name of the Hall of Worship constructed by Akbar? 3) Which Mulk Raj Anand novel depicts the tea garden labourers of Assam? 4) Chilarai, the Koch prince, died of which disease? 5) Name the two envoys sent by Ahom King Jayadhwaj Singha for peace with Mir Jhumla.

unities  From Saroj Kr. Deka, Gauhati University – 6) It was a 1973 movie where Amitabh Bachchan played both Shyamu and Deepak. It was for the first time that he played a double role. Can you name the movie? 7) Which early Indian cinema hero was nicknamed the ‘Indian Douglas Fairbanks’? 8) Which matinee star played the title role in Satyajit Ray’s Nayak?

do-re-me  9) The ancient Indian play Mudrarakshaka by Vishakhadutta is based on which subject? (Alakananda Medhi, Guwahati) 10) How is Madeleine Slade, the British disciple of Mahatma Gandhi, better known as? (Jayanta Topadar, Hatigarh, Dhemaji) 11) Who played the role of junior Govinda in Jaisi Karni Waisi Bharni? (Kamal Medhi, Mathgharia, Guwahati) 12) Sur Deulor Pujari – an Assamese novel by Kanchan Baruah, is based on which famous Assamese musician? (Niranjan Giswami, Lachima, Tihu) 13) Her real name is Gitali. Come Away with Me was her debut album. Moreover, she is the youngest Grammy winner. Just name her. (Deepjyoti Deka, Barmurikona, Nalbari) 14) Mario Puzo has depicted the life of which singer through the character of Johnny Fontaine in his book Godfather? (Amiya Kumar Baruah, Phulaguri, Nagaon)

crescendo  15) Where would you find a ‘ring-pull’? (Prosenjit ‘Piklu’ Dutta, Aryapatti, Tezpur)

answers  1) Zubin Mehta. He also directed the New York Philharmonic Orchestra from 1978 to 1991 2) Ibadat 3) Two Leaves and a Bud 4) Small pox 5) Sanatan and Madhab Charan 6) Bandhe Haath 7) Master Vitthal 8) Uttam Kumar 9) The court intrigues at the time of Chandragupta Maurya 10) Mira Behn 11) Neil Nitin Mukesh 12) Lakhmiram Baruah 13) Norah Jones 14) Frank Sinatra 15) It is the metal ring attached to a can of beer or soft drink which, when pulled, facilitates the opening of the can.