GAANOR POHOROT, an unusual and unconventional audio CD, presented by the Lakshyadhar Choudhury-Usha Choudhury Memorial Trust, has been released recently. It is unusual as it carries six songs, five of which are dedicated to five legendary artistes of Assam, namely, Dr Bhupen Hazarika, Late Puroshottam Das, Late Brajen Barua, Dipali Barthakur and Late Jayanta Hazarika. The CD was released on September 7, on the eve of the birthday of Dr Hazarika, which falls on September 8. The first song, written on Dr Hazarika, is by Dr Saurabh Kumar Bhuyan, set to tune by Dr Anjanjyoti Choudhury, and rendered by none other than Debojit Saha. The second song is from Nimila Anka, the epoch making Assamese film directed by Lakshydhar Chowdhury. The music director was Late Puroshottam Das, one of the pioneers of Assamese modern music. The inserted song is Seujia Gosey Boney – the timeless hit sung by Dr Birendranath Dutta. In the CD, however, the song is sung by Anjanjyoti and popular singer Namita Bhattacharya, as a duet song, which is refreshing. The third one, dedicated to Late Brajen Barua, is penned by Anuradha Das and tuned by Anjanjyoti, who has also rendered with an upcoming singer, Himlina Gautam. The particular duet can be said to be a valuable addition to Assamese romantic duet songs. The fourth song, written by Jimoni Chowdhury, tuned by Amarjyoti, and sung by Namita Bhattacharya, based on classical music, is remarkably melodious and befitting as a dedication to Dipali Barthakur. As the ‘Trust’s tribute to Jayanta Hazarika, the song by Anjanjyoti is impressively written and tuned by Dr Indrajit Kalita. The one dedicated to Late Hazarika, is a popular poem – Mor Lakshya, by Lakshyadhar Chowdhury, set to tune by Anjanjyoti Chowdhury. The song is rendred by Dr Bhupen Hazarika with supporting voices. As said earlier, the CD is unconventional. It is not meant for sale. Interested listeners can download the same from the website www.lakshyadhar-choudhury memorialtrust.org

Incidentally, the Lakshyadhar Choudhury-Usha Choudhury Memorial Trust is doing a commendable job, by contributing to the society in various ways, specially in the musical arena. Earlier, the Trust presented two cassettes and also CDs, titled Aastha and Pratidhwani. Remarkably, all the cassettes and CDs have songs sung by Bhupen Hazarika. The architect behind these musical projects is Dr Anjanjyoti Chowdhury, supported and coordinated by Dr Amarjyoti Chowdhury, Arupjyoti Chowdhury and Anupjyoti Chowdhury, the multifaceted worthy sons of legendary Lakshyadhar Chowdhury. They are assisted by their only sister, Anuradha.

A well known pathologist by profession, Dr Anjanjyoti Chowdhury has also proved himself to be a skilled composer and a singer. He has had a penchant for music and singing since his childhood. Observing this, his father got him admitted to the nearby Bal Bhawan in his early childhood to learn classical music. His classmate was Namita (today’s popular singer Namita Bhattacharya). During those days, Jayanta Hazarika happened to visit their residence. He was wonder struck, listening to the songs, and the playing of the harmonium by Jayanta. From then onwards, he started playing the instrument, humming the tunes. As Anjan says, his early inspiration was from Jayanta Hazarika. Today, despite his busy schedule as a doctor, he makes time to compose and sing on various stages of the State. Interestingly, his first appearance was as a child-actor. Bhupenda selected Anjanjyoti and his brother Arupjyoti, for his first ever stage play Abdul Hamid. With the passage of time, Anjanjyoti became more close to Bhupenda and Jayanta. He started taking music as a hobby. Meanwhile, he was persuaded by his friends at Guwahati Medical College to join the annual college music competition. He stood first in Assamese modern song and Jyoti Sangeet. Encouraged by the awards and appreciation, he took to music seriously. Today, besides being a talented singer, he has made a mark as a composer too. He has most suitably composed the tune for a poem by Lakshyadhar. The title of the song is Moi Gandhijir Dore Home, and it was recorded for the CD – Pratidhwani, which was later inserted in the CD Gaanor Pohorot. In fact, Bhupenda was on his sick bed at his Nizarapar residence, and so, I asked Anjanjyoti – “How did you manage to get it sung by Bhupenda”? Anjanjyoti said, “After hearing Deuta’s poem with my tune, Bhupenda seemed to like it immensely, and, on my request, he immediately agreed to sing. Yes, he was on his sick bed and I had to arrange for recordings in his bedroom! So, on April 11, 2007, we three – myself, arranger Rupam Talukdar and sound recordist Manab Das, recorded the song. He sang the song sitting on his bed. It was amazing to observe his gestures. He picked up the song just like a sincere student, and even asked for my consent for necessary changes.”

Anjanjyoti has manifold qualities. Like his father, he is a witty person. His wit and humour largely contribute to his popularity. He is well-versed in his writings, and is presently contributing to the weeklies and the dailies as a columnist, gradually picking up popularity as a writer too.

Apurba Kumar Das