Culture of Assam
Music:
Assam, being the home to many ethnic groups and different cultures, is very rich in folk music. The indigenous folk music has in turn influenced the growth of a modern idiom, that finds expression in the music of such artists like Jyoti Prasad Agarwala, Bishnuprasad Rabha, Bhupen Hazarika, Nirmalendu Choudhury & Utpalendu Choudhury,Pratima Barua Pandey, Luit Konwar Rudra Baruah, Parvati Prasad Baruva, Jayanta Hazarika, Khagen Mahanta among many others. Among the new generation, Zubeen Garg, Angaraag Mahanta, Debojit Saha and Jitul Sonowal have a great fan following.
About Jyoti Prasad Agarwala:
Jyoti Prasad Agarwala was born on 17 June 1903 in an Agrawal family, to Paramananda Agarwala and Kiranmoyee Agarwala in Tamulbari Tea Estate. He is the nephew of another cultural icon, Chandra Kumar Agarwala. His forefather, Nabrangram Agarwala, had come to Assam in 1811 from the Marwar region in Rajasthan. After completing his studies in various schools in Assam and Calcutta (Kolkata), he matriculated in 1921. He went to Edinburgh in 1926 to study economics, but returned in 1930 before completing his course. On his way back, he spent seven months at the UFA studio in Germany learning film-making. After his return to Assam, he continued his activities for Indian independence that had disrupted his studies earlier and in 1932 he was imprisoned for fifteen months. He established the Chitraban Studio at the Bholaguri Tea Estate and began filming the movie Joymoti around the end of 1933. This was the first film from Assam. The film, released in 1935, was based on a play by Laxminath Bezbarua about a heroic Ahom princess imprisoned and tortured by a repressive Ahom swargadeo. In 1936 he married Devajani Bhuyan. In 1941 he participated in the freedom movement, and in 1942, he went underground to escape British repression. Toward the end of his life he moved from a romantic to a more radical vision, which was reflected in his works. He died of cancer on 17 January 1951 at 'Poki', Tezpur
Jyoti Prasad Agarwala had written around 300 songs, many of which he had set to music himself. Collectively, these songs are called Jyoti xongit.
Plays:
- Sonit Kunwori
- Karengar Ligiri
- Rupalim
- Nimati Konya or Rupkonwar
- Sonpakhilee
- Khanikar
- Kanaklata
- Sundarknowar
- Lobhita
Agarwala putting the finishing touches to the editing of Joymati
- Joymoti(1935)
- Indramalati(1939)
Poems:
- Jyoti Raamaayon - Poetry Collection
- Luitor Paaror Agnixur - Poetry Collection, 1971
Others:
- Background of Assamese Architecture
About Bishnuprasad Rabha:
Bishnuprasad Rabha was born in Dhaka on 31st January 1909. He was a multifaceted artist and revolutionary singer of Assam. A doyen of the Arts, he is popularly known as Kala Guru. From an early stage, he played an active role in the struggle for Indian independence. However, he never joined Indian National Congress. He believed - the Congress is a party of the bourgeoisie and so it's struggle against British imperialism is fraught with compromises. He came to be influenced by left wing ideas and came close to the Communist Party of India. However, when Germany attacked Soviet Union during second world war and the Indian communists decided to work with the British government, a section of the party favoured a different approach - to oppose British imperialism and Fascism simultaneously. So a split happened in the communist party and in 1945 he finally joined the Revolutionary Communist Party of India (RCPI). In 1951, after the death of Jyoti Prasad Agarwala, he became the president of the Assam branch of Indian Peoples' Theatre Association (IPTA). His work Bano Kobang is a masterpiece which contains valuable information about ethnic groups of Asom. His other works include Mising Coneng, Sonpahi, Axomiya Kristir Samuh Abhash, and Atit Asom. His interest for the upliftment of the weaker section of society is visible in his works. But these works did not get much accolade as his works received.Bishnu Prasad Rabha was an eminent freedom fighter. His meaning of freedom however is not simply freedom from British rule. But it meant freedom from poverty and all social evils. He dedicated his entire life for the freedom movement. He even donated an estate of 2500 bigha land in favour of tenants.The present day Tezpur University stands upon the land donated by him.He kept on moving like a nomad. He was a mass mobiliser. His speeches and lectures could touch the heart of the masses. However, his political struggle was never pregnant with power seeking motive. It was only for the betterment of the masses. He even said that the independence achieved in 1947 was simply a farce. It is because in spite of the freedom the poor and weaker sections of the society remained the same. According to him, the real struggle begins after 1947. The genius of Bishnu Prasad does not end here. He was also a brilliant academician.Due to participation in freedom struggle he was obliged by the British Govt to break his academics and escape from Calcutta to Coch Behar.He was not able to continue his studies even there due to frequent raid of British forces in his hostel and was compelled to give up his academic career for ever.
The level of influence exerted by the Kola Guru can be observed through the fact that most cultural music competitions of Assam feature a segment called Rabha Sangeet related to his compositions, lyrics and verse.Bishnu Prasad was an established singer. He had learnt Borgeet of Shrimanta Shankar Deva and gave the genre a new significance for the modern times. There are more than hundred songs composed by him. His songs are collectively called as Rabha Sangeet. This was a new genre of Assamese. His songs were mainly a tribute to Mother Nature. His songs also reflects the his revolutionary ideal and the country’s struggle for real freedom. Some of his songs are popular among children even today and will be, for all times to come. Some leading numbers include ‘Xurore Deulore, ’Bilote Halise’,etc. He advocated the need to be aware of other people's cultures, views and religion etc. in the interest of national integrity. His evergreen compositions includes song like Para jonomor khubho logonor, logon ukali gol, roi roi keteki ,tilai tilai, kurua botah and many more to mention. He was a great actor. He used to perform dramas at Bann theatre of tezpur which is regarded to be one of the oldest cultural activity centers of Assam. His paintings are still preserved in his residence at Tezpur. His art works are considered to be master piece, as it were worked on with such a great perfection even at that time.
Theatre:
There have been many live performances at the Ban Theatre in Tezpur which is famously connected to Bishnu Rabha.
Films:
He was recognised as a film director, music composer (Siraj) and actor (Era Bator Sur).He was an actor par excellence. His acting expertise was witnessed by Ban Theatre of Tezpur. But, he never used this talent for commercial purpose. In spite of having very good rapport with the art world of Kolkata and Bombay, he never left Assam to achieve commercial success in the field of acting. Rather he used his talent to educate the masses. This talent also helped him to move around in disguise during his days of struggle. He also assisted in making of the first Assamese film Joymoti, by Jyoti Prasad Aggarwala. He was also a recognised film director.
About Bhupen Hazarika:
About Bhupen Hazarika:
A multifaceted genius, he is a good poet, music composer, singer, actor, journalist, author and film-maker of the very highest repute. He is the only living pioneer of Assam.s film industry in the Northeast, and has been therefore, rightly hailed as the uncrowned king of North-Eastern India.s cultural world.
Education:
Bhupen Hazarika was born in 1926, in Sadiya, Assam. An extremely academically prolific person, he did his Inter (Arts) in Guwahati in 1942, and went on to Banaras Hindu University to complete his B. A. in 1944 and his M. A. in Political Science in 1946. Soon after, he left for New York, USA where he lived for five years and received his doctorate (PhD) in Mass Communication from Columbia University. He also received the Lisle Fellowship from Chicago University, USA to study the use of educational project development through cinema.
Career:
As a singer, he is known for his crisp baritone voice and flawless diction; as a lyricist, he is known for poetic compositions and parables that touch on a wide range of themes---ranging from the erotic to social and political commentary; and as a composer for his use of folk music with a touch of the contemporary. He also participated, first as a child artist, and later as a director, in the nascent Assamese film industry. When studying at Columbia University, he became acquainted with American performer Paul Robeson, from whom he also learned songs which he later adapted in his music career. He is immensely popular, touching on reverence, in the states of Assam, West Bengal as well as in neighbouring Bangladesh. In addition to his native Assamese, Hazarika has sung in many other Indic languages, including Bengali and Hindi.
Bhupen Hazarika composed the music of few Bollywood movies. They are -
Some songs:
- Aami Axomiya Noho Dukhia
- Asom amar rupahi
- Akaxi Ganga
- Autorikshaw chalao
- Bistirno Parore
- Bojalije pepati
- Dil Hoom Hoom Kare (from Rudaali)
- Foot Godhulite
- Gajagamini (title song)
- Ganga mor maa
- Manuhe manuhar babe jodihe okono nabhabe
- Moi eti jajabar
- O bidesi bandhu durbhagia
- Parashi Puwate
- Sagar sangamat
- Saisabate Dhemalite
- Samay O Dhire Chalo (from Rudaali)
- Samoyar agragoti
- Sharodi Raani Tomar Heno Naam
- Shitore Semeka Raati
- Chgira jugamiya dhou tuli
- Mahabahu Brhamaputra
- Moi Ei Matire Lora
- Moi Aru Mor Cha
- Natun Nagini
- Natun Purish
- Pratiddhani Suno Moi
- Prachanda Dhumuhai Proshno Korile
- Tomar Dekho Naam Potra Lekha
- Kohua Bon Mor
- Kajiranga Kajiranga
- Gouripuria Gabhoro Dekhilo
In 2001, he was conferred upon Padma Bhushan by the Govt. of India. In 1992, he was awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for lifetime achievements in cinema. He has been conferred with "Sangeet-Natak Academy Ratna" award. For his contribution of building bridges of unity and culture not only in north eastern region, but also over greater India, he has been conferred with "Assam Ratna" award. He also won the National Award as best music composer in India in 1977 in recognition for his work in the Assamese film, Chameli Memsaab. Apart from these, he has received innumerable awards and accolades in the field of music, art, and other media. In the month of February, 2009, the All Assam Students Union felicitated Dr. hazarika in a grand way by erecting a life size statue in the heart of Guwahati. It was unveiled by Dr. Hazarika himself.
Hazarika was hospitalized in the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital and Medical Research Institute in Mumbai in 2011. He was admitted to the intensive care unit on 30 June 2011. He died of multi-organ failure on 5 November 2011.
Hazarika was hospitalized in the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital and Medical Research Institute in Mumbai in 2011. He was admitted to the intensive care unit on 30 June 2011. He died of multi-organ failure on 5 November 2011. He was in care of his close friend, and film director Kalpana Lajmi during the last part of his life.
About Zubeen Garg:
Zubeen Garg (born 18 November 1972) is a singer and composer from Assam, India, in the Bollywood and Assamese music scene. He plays dhols, guitar, dotora, mandolin, keyboard and various percussion instruments.
Zubeen Garg hails from Jorhat, a developed city in upper Assam. His birth name is Zubeen Borthakur. He was named after the great composer Zubin Mehta and used their Gotra as his surname. Zubeen was born to Mr. Mohini. M. Borthakur, a famous lyricist and poet (who uses the pseudo name Kapil Thakur), and late Mrs. Ily Borthakur. However, because of transliteration discrepancies he is sometimes credited as Zubin Garg, Jubin Garg, or simply Zubin, Zubeen or Jubin and various combinations of the above mentioned. The Borthakur family had its roots in Janji, Sivasagar. Mr. Borthakur was a magistrate and moved often during his early years along with little Zubeen. Zubeen's mother was a good dancer, an actress and a singer. However, she never turned these talents into a professional career. Instead, she decided to teach them to little Zubeen at home. Zubeen considers his mother to be his first guru and mentor. Zubeen's younger sister Jonkie Borthakur was a well known singer and actress who died in a car accident in 2002. Zubeen's other sister Palme, is a good bharat natyam dancer, presently living in Guwahati. Feeling indebted to his loyal fans from Assam, Zubeen became involved in various charitable organizations dealing with AIDS and brain cancer. He plans on opening an institute in the near future to help those that are mentally challenged as well. Zubeen lives with his wife Garima, a fashion designer, in his flat, which is a part of his music studio called Sound & Silence, located at 165/1, Sher-E-Punjab. Andheri East. Mumbai, India. He is also working on a script for a Hindi film which was announced in August 2006. Zubeen has opened a chain of beauty parlors across the northeast India called Zubeen's Veda.Entering the music scene:
- Chandini Raat
- Yuhi Kabhi
- Sparsh
- shradhanjali
- Nupur
- Zindagi
- Chanda
- Global Indian Film Awards (GIFA) (2006)- Best playback singer (Male) for the song "Ya Ali".
- Max Stardust Awards (2007)- New Musical Sensation (Male) for the song "Ya Ali".
- Nominated for Film Fare Awards (2007)- Best Play Back Singer.
- National Award (Rajat Kamal) (2009) for Best music director (non-feature film category) for his work on film 'Echoes of Silence'(English-Khasi)
- Nominated for National Award (Rajat Kamal) (2010)- Best Play Back Singer.
- Strings - bound by faith (14 July 2006)
- As The River Flows 2010 (upcoming)
Zubeen started learning tabla from Guru Robin Banarjee, and then continued learning Assamese folk music form Guru Romoni Rai. He attended J.B. College in Jorhat, and then moved to B. Barooah College, where he was pursuing Bachelor of Science after his family moved permanently to Guwahati. But he did not complete his baccalaureate studies as he jumped in to the music scene. Zubeen's life had a turning point when he received the gold medal for his western solo performance in the youth festival held in 1992. This is where he got his first taste of success and confidence as vocalist. Apart from playing dhols, dotara, mandolin, percussions, Zubeen is an accomplished keyboard player. He broke into professional music scene in 1992, releasing his first album - Anamika. This unusual album, became an instant hit in entire northeast India and re-defined Assamese musical landscape for the coming 21st century. After that, there was no looking back for Zubeen. With about 40 albums to his name, Zubeen continues his musical career directing music to over 24 Assamese movies including a few Hindi and bangla movies as well. He received the best Music Award in 2005, for the Bangla movie Shudhu Tumi. Zubeen considers himself to be a musician having sung more than 9000 songs in various languages including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Punjabi, Oriya, Bengali, Marathi, Nepali, English, Bodo and many others. The song Ya Ali from the movie Gangster became a superhit in mainland India, the Middle East, and across South Asia. Following the success an Album titled 'Ya Ali Remix Blast' containing remix by DJ Suketu & Aks were released. In 2000, Zubeen wrote, directed and acted (also watched) in his own Assamese film Tumi Mor Matho Mor. He acted, co-produced and scored music in another Assamese film Dinabandhu, for which received a national award in 2005. Zubeen had done music for Strings - Bound By Faith, a Hindi film, directed by Sanjay Jha was released in 2006. Mukha and Uronia Mon are the latest solo Assamese albums of Zubeen released in the year of 2007 under the N.K. Production banner. Currently he is working on his new Hindi album Chakra. Zubeen came up with his own Hindi album 'Zindagi' in 2007, which received good appreciation. He is currently working on the video album of his latest Assamese audio album "Rumal" which was released in 2008. Zubeen has mentioned that the video album will be released in Bengali version in Kolkata.
Assamese Albums:
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Very Good and informative. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDelete-JRD
honest attempt
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