YES, it was all about a weekly radio play broadcasted by All India Radio, Guwahati some forty years ago. Dhiru Bhuyan had announced its title after the detailed sheet as Jopar Chithi, while the then station director, the late formidable UL Baruah contended that it should actually be Japor Chithi, meaning a letter taken out from a pile of letters and not Jopar Chithi. However, as the play progressed, Dhiru’s interpretation of the title appeared to be correct. Even then, Dhiru telephoned late Ishwar Prasad Choudhury and also another noted litterateur to be doubly sure about the meaning of the word Jopa and conveyed the same to his Station Director. Baruah Sahib permitted Dhiru to announce the name as the latter wanted at the close of the play – with a warning, however, that if anything went wrong with the name, Dhiru would be held responsible. The next day, the playwright who had corroborated Dhiru’s contention was contacted. Baruah Sahib called in Dhiru to thank him for his sincere efforts to be in the right, as also to make before him a frank admission, a gesture rare in All India Radio today, about his unfamiliarity with the term Jopa and the meaning – a finely woven, covered bamboo basket – it carried.

That was one occasion. And here is yet another... It was on a holiday on account of Holi, that the station director UL Baruah came in the morning to the studios as was his wont on festive occasions, to greet his colleagues. Dhiru, who was present on announcement duty, wished him Happy Holi and came forward to apply a tilak on his forehead. Baruah Sahib, taller than Dhiru, stooped and just as Dhiru’s middle finger, coated with colour, touched his forehead, he said softly, “It’s not Daevaen, Dhiru, but Deven, for his full name is a combination of the two words – ‘Deva’ and ‘Indra’.”

Surprised by the choice of time and the manner in which Baruah Sahib chose to point out his mistake that, as he immediately remembered, he had committed while announcing Deven Sharma’s name in connection with a bhajan that same morning, Dhiru was dumbounded and took some time before he could react with the words: “Thank you Sir, I shall be careful next time about this.” However, having feared what he said might have poured cold water over Dhiru’s holiday spirits, Baruah Sahib was quick enough to add, “Ok, forget it for now and enjoy”.

That was Dhiru Bhuyan – who refused to yield when he knew he was right and ready to admit when in the wrong. And the experiences of challenging even the station director to affirm the meaning of just a single word? Simply unforgettable, for it was of real pleasure and pride to work with a living legend like UL Baruah, for whom the fraternity of announcers had high regard and praise as late Baruah, unlike most of his successors, was always considerate and respectful to them.

Born to a family with a long and rich pedigree, Dhiru had well inherited laudable family traits such as generosity and open-heartedness. He was initiated into acting at the tender age of seven. However, he did not confine himself to acting alone, though he excelled as a powerful character- actor, earning considerable fame and had also successfully tried his hand both in memorable stage plays and film direction. While his stage plays have become fond memories for many, his first ever venture in film-making was Pratham Ragini, which earned the distinction for the best regional film of the year in the International Film Festival of India. And it was in essence Dhiru who discovered a gifted musician from Shillong in Sher Choudhury, who came into focus as a music director with Dhiru’s Pratham Ragini.

Dhiru shone as a broadcaster as well. Once his used to be, along with that of late Niren Barua’s, a household name for the captivating roles he played in a number of popular radio serials. Dhiru’s manifold and significant contributions to our cultural arena will always remain worthy of remembrance. Had not destiny ordained as it did, our culture would have been even richer with his achievements.

Personally speaking, Dhiru was a colleague and friend who, I did not know exactly at what point of time, assumed the role of my elder brother and kept my days filled with love tempered with some degree of authority. Dhiru had, at AIR , Guwahati goaded me to write and today, I remember with a sense of guilt how he aspired to see me, a born procrastinator, build up a literary career !

It was Dhiru who introduced me to the cultural elite of Guwahati of the early 1960’s. And how well he could introduce! His way of introducing people often reminded me of the Uttomottam – described by the great Vaishnavite Guru Sri Madhavdeva , who, as the Guru says, was always in the habit of praising and upholding even the minutest of one’s merits. I always feel it worth emulating Dhiru’s dedication and earnestness about whatever he did as an artiste, whether acting or directing or even reciting a poem. I also admired his philanthropic zeal.

It’s been ten years since Dhiru had passed away on September 3, 1999. His family, comprising his wife Reeta, talented and artistic children Sattyakee D’com and Kannakee and daughter- in-law Rudrakshi are remembering him socially at a brief ceremony on the above occasion. I repeat, it’s only Dhiru’s family that’s organising this commemorative ceremony, for who else in today’s society would vouchsafe to do so if one’s family does not come forward! I have been marking with great pain for quite sometime now that this has been the truth in respect of a number of our illustrious persons. However, let us hope this situation would be remedied before long and our SMS generation would learn to honour, and draw inspiration from our past glory.

I offer my heartfelt tribute to Dhiru’s memory. May his soul rest in peace.

Kirti Kamal Bhuyan