| Aparup for higher studies in UK With the making of Cotton College, a documentary film (35 mm) in 1974, ex-Cottonian Aparup Agarwala entered into the Assamese film industry. After making several documentaries, films and television productions, Agarwala is now leaving for London to take up a course in ‘Film and Video Production’, under the East London University. The one-year course will introduce him to the latest technical knowledge in film and video production of international standards. Apart from the course, he will have discussions with the film policy makers and film studio authorities on how to solve the present stagnant like situation in the Assamese film industry, and the possibility of a joint international project in film production. Aparup Agarwala is the eldest son of late Bibekananda Agarwala (the younger brother of Rupkonwar Jyotiprasad Agarwala) and late Dipti Agarwala of Tezpur. He will also try to popularise the immortal compositions of Jyotiprasad and Bishnu Prasad Rabha in UK. |
| Jharani Khurang Najone: VCD in Rabha A VCD film  in the Rabha-Assamese language has been recently released under the banner of Nayotraokai Film Society. Journalist-painter Munin Rabha has directed the film with his own story, screenplay and dialogue. The film depicts a love story with the backdrop of the social customs, faith and culture of the Rabhas. The shooting was done capturing the scenic beauty of the Assam-Meghalaya border near the Garo hills. The five songs in the film are written and tuned by Dr Upen Rabha Hakasam and Munin Rabha, and sung by Sangita Barthakur, Jairaj, Mrinal, Nina, Chandan and Murin. The cast includes Prakash Rabha, Padmini Rabha, Smita Rabha, Lipika Rabha, Dwipen Rabha and others. The producers are Bhairav Rabha, Siraj Rabha and Legen Rabha. |
Video film: Prem Jouvonote Prem Jouvonote, a  video film directed by Lokenath Deka, is produced by an Assamese NRI of Washington DC — Bhabani Sarma of Guwahati. Director Deka had earlier made a TV serial with the same name, based on the widely read novel Ferengadao by legendary writer Medini Mohan Choudhury. The video film’s theme is love and the story screenplay and dialogue are written by Dharmakanta Rajbongshi. Anupam Saikia is the music director. The cast includes Chetana Das, Arun Hazarika, Mallika Sarma, Vicky, Monimala Bora, Swagata, Jeet, Hitesh Pori and the Bhabani Sarma. Prem Jouvonote is made under the banner of Niribili Jonak and is awaiting early release. |
| Mrinalini Borbora: Moi Bedona Tumi Hanhi After a  long break, versatile melody singer of yesteryears, Mrinalini Borbora has come out with a musical album Moi Bedona Tumi Hanhi, which can be said to be a valuable addition in the arena of Assamese songs. The album contains ten appealing old songs by the singer, which are familiar to the ears of the song lovers of the last three decades and are likely to be well appreciated by the present generation of listeners. The album contains meaningful and rich lyrics by Puroshottam Das, Nalinibala Devi, Lakshyahira Das, Muktinath Bordoloi, Alimunnisa Piar and Gita Hatikakati, some put to tune by the lyricists while others are by Mukul Barua, Deven Sarma and Subir Mukherji. Special mention may be made here of the once popular songs like Moi Bedana Tumi Hanhi, Mor Sonar Deshar Mati, Sukula Meghar, Arey Olikoi Shuwani Chenehi Asomi, Diachon Khiriki Khuli and Moi Jano Tumi Ahiba. The music arrangements of the songs by Tarali Sarma are praiseworthy. The veteran singer deserves praise for bringing out some of the old gems. |
| Sukhad Swargram’s Bhajan Sandhya Sukhad Swargram, an organisation set up by Bhajan lovers in Guwahati, is planning to hold a day long programme of Assamese bhajan on September 7 at the Rabindra Bhawan, which will include competitions from 11 am among Assamese bhajan singers aged between 10 to 18 years and a show in the evening participated by the pioneers of Assamese bhajans — Lakshmiballabh Kandali and Chitrali Goswami. The Bhajan Sandhya will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, while Culture Minister Gautam Bora will declare open the competition. The organisers have informed that cash awards of Rs 10,000, Rs 7,000 and Rs 5,000 will be awarded as the first, second and third prizes. |
Apurba Kumar Das