| Introducing Amrit Nath In 1987, a function was held at  Rabindra Bhawan, Guwahati to present the Kamal Narayan Chowdhury award to Dr Bhupen Hazarika. A youth from Cotton College, who had a dream to meet the legendary singer, happened to approach him for an autograph. The youth, who had been singing since his childhood, approached Dr Hazarika and got the autograph signed with the legend’s blessings for a bright career. The youth is Amrit Nath, who has been singing modern songs, borgeet and lokageet in Akashvani, Guwahati and various stages. A BMus from Sangeet Kanan, Guwahati, Nath had the opportunity to sing with Dr Hazarika in many functions. A creative artiste, Nath, who hails from a poor family of Borka, has also directed a number of telefilms and documentaries, mostly on the cultural heritage of Assam. The low profile Nath is presently holding the charge of principal of a non-government educational institution. |
| Shankar Barua’s film Shankar Barua, a Canada-based  young Assamese director who has a number of films and documentaries to his credit, is now planning to make a film titled Souwa Cha – Beli Maar Gole (with the English title The Wail of the Sun) based on a short story by him. The film depicts reflections of globalisation on Assam and the North East and its probable consequences in the year 2016. Shankar Barua, an MA in criminology, who is presently in Guwahati, said : “A nation and a people in the year 2016. This is Assam’s moment of apocalypse... and memories trampled by greed. The film will be made with the backdrop of Guwahati city in 2016.” The story, script and dialogue are written by the director Shankar Barua. The shooting will start from October 21, with artistes like Gitawali Rajkumari, Bhagawat Pritam, Paul Phukan and Elora Barua. Pradyut Kumar Deka is the executive producer of the film. |
| Audio CD Rimjhim Rimjhim, an audio CD containing  popular old melodies in Assamese and Bengali, sung by Junu Goswami Khound, was released recently. The highlights of the CD include O kopou pahi tomar laahi, Kuhipat jen, Jonakore raati, Jonbai, Mah halodhire in Assamese, and Ashaar Shravan and Nijhuma sandhya in Bengali, which make one nostalgic about these melodies of yesteryears. A singer with a melodious voice, Junu Goswami Khound has done full justice to these old hits. She began singing in her childhood. In college, she won the best singer award. She has performed in various functions too. The CD Rimjhim, under the banner of Eastern Media, has music arrangement by Parimal Barua. The singer has another popular CD to her credit – Jhumka Gira Re – consisting of popular old Hindi numbers. The release function of Rimjhim was held at the Guwahati Press Club in the presence of a distinguished gathering. The album was released by popular singer Dwipen Barua, while Apurba Kumar Das attended as the chief guest. Both of them praised the endeavour of the singer to keep the old melodies alive. |
| Kalabhumi fest Kalabhumi recently organised a ‘Young Dancers Festival’ at Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra, Guwahati, where about 80 students of Kalabhumi performed Bharatnatyam, Satriya dance and semi-classical dances. Kalabhumi’s last production in August 2009 was a ‘Children Dance Show’, where a group of 100 children presented classical, as well as other dances and drew applause. Some of the leading academicians of Guwahati were present on the occasion to interact with the exponents of dance. Since 1982, Kalabhumi has been imparting Bharatnatyam training as per the style of world famous Kalakshetra of Chennai, established by the legendary Rukmini Devi Arundale. For the last three decades, Kalabhumi has created a conducive environment for teaching and practising classical dances. Kalabhumi has been organising a series of dance programmes since the last several years. Over the years, many students of Kalabhumi have been performing in India and abroad, while some are teaching dance after setting up schools in UK, Europe, USA and Australia. |
| Pulak’s new album Tomar Chithi Mayur Kapere Likha is  the title of the latest album of celebrated singer Pulak Banerjee, which was released at a function held on August 30 by Dr Birendranath Dutta at a gathering of elites of Guwahati. The album is an invaluable contribution to modern Assamese songs. All the eight melody-based songs are suitably tuned by composer Bimal Dev Medhi, with meaningful lyrics by reputed lyricists. Each of the songs has been rendered by Pulak Banerjee in his inimitable style.The special invitees at the release function were Hiren Bhattacharya, Ramen Barua, Apurba Kumar Das, Anuradha Sarma Pujari, Dilip Kumar Hazarika and Ramen Choudhury, who dwelt at length on the qualities and contributions of the singer. Releasing the album, Dr Birendranath Dutta spoke on the manifold qualities of Pulak Banerjee. |
Apurba Kumar Das