Thursday, May 31, 2018

Some songs,some stories

                                                                                                              Ankur Bora

We don’t read poetry or sing songs because they are cute, we recite poetry and listen to music because we are human being and as a member of human race we are imbued with passion. Medicine, engineering, business, these are professions necessary for day to day life. But Poetry, songs and music are the higher manifestation of the man, they are the preview of life’s past and coming attractions and they are what keep us alive and throbbing. And it is the melody, rhythms, songs of music which, every time, evokes a feeling of nostalgia, delight, hope and brings all of us, whether Muslim or Hindu, Bengali or Assamese together in a common thread of oneness.

Assam Tribune , Horizon , Ist June 2018

We love music because most of us can’t really express our real feelings in words and thus music becomes the only medium which help us to unwind- by listening to songs, by posting or writing part of the lyric or simply by singing aloud.  Occasionally, as we unravel, they uncover to us- It is said that behind every song there is an untold story. Ravindra Jain was an irreplaceable song writer who left behind scores of evergreen and soulful music. Beautifully rendered by the legendary singer Yesudas, his songs illustrates the prowess of a musical composer. Unknown to most of us, late Ravindra Jain was born blind. Although he composed songs that created magic all over, he never got to see this beautiful earth and though the stellar lyrics of his songs depicted the village life in all its moods with fields, fairs, harvest and celebrations, his own world was devoid of colors!  

Generations of Assamese have grown up hearing the legendary voice of Jayanta Hazarika. For every itinerant Assamese who sets out from state to make out his fortune, there is a cassette of the singer which he carries because he knows that he will be incomplete without the voice of Jayanta. In a small corner of the new world, amidst struggles, he sustains by the music and these songs composed by another legend Nirmal Prabha Bordoloi. These songs are reflective of a great lyricist who captured the every emotion in Assamese life , ‘Akou natun prabhat hobo’ – the hope a new beginning , ‘Tumar Morome Mur’ - a fond remembrance of first love or ‘Sita Banabash Kiman Sabanu’ – lets fight the great battle called life. Dr. Bordoloi contributed immensely to Assamese literature producing scores of scholarly articles, academics essays and research works of high value. But for common man, she is eternally remembered as a song writer who added color to their life. I happened to know Bordoloi as my maternal grandmother’s house in chandmari Guwahati was located just across the road from the legendary writer. While I was a child, I heard those stories of this singer writer duo– when, while the singer would produce a tune, the writer, like a magician pulling out rabbits from a hat, would produce a song - when, while she would churn out a melody, he would render them in his golden voice.

It was early sixties, the introduction of the long playing disc produced by HMV and musical recording at the All-India Radio, revalorized Assamese music. The trendsetter was one timeless classic – ‘Agali Batahe Kopale Kalare Pat’ and there is a fascinating story behind. Both Nirmalprabha and Jayanta happened to attend a wedding party when noted poet Hiren Bhattacharyya offered a pack of cigarettes if they could compose a song within three minutes. The story goes, as everyone watched, Nirmalprabha completed composing the song within three minutes which  then was set to tune by Jayanta  in equal time. “We used to call him Rana Bhaiti” I remember another story narrated by Bordoloi “One day he walked into our house whistling as I was taking shower. He wanted a song but I needed to get ready for my university classes. So, both of us boarded the city bus- Rana set beside me while I began writing as the bus headed for Guwahati University, he was whistling continuously throughout till I completed and handed him the song  

The life story of Nirmal Prabha Bordoloi is a story of exemplary courage and determination who rose from her own ashes to walk her own path. It was year 1943, when her parents, compelled by the prevailing custom of ‘Bal Vivah’, married her off at the tender age of eleven to a man twenty three years older. At her thirteen, she became the mother of girl child. Nirmalprabha was not willing to leave her education incomplete and when she was not permitted to have her education, she left her husband's home with her little daughter forever. It was a moment of her rebirth, with support of her parents she completed higher study and finally established herself among the most influential writers and one of the best known Assamese public intellectuals.

The songs and the melody have a healing power. It brings people peace, let them know there are others who are going through the same. For every emotion in Assamese life there is a song from Nirmalprabha which hits a chord that cuts right through and goes right to the soul. For every unreal peak of joy and every despairing depth of sorrow there is a song by the legend which let us break free. "I shall die tomorrow, Let me alive today" - Nirmal Prabha Bordoloi still rings alive in the strains of her creation. Today, as we recall, let’s celebrate the anniversary, not in black and white but to the colors of rainbow so pretty in the sky.    
                                                                                                            ankurbora@hotmail.com
Feedbacks
Dear Bora,
I have gone through your article published in Assam Tribune today. It was really nice.
Thanks for your endeavour.
Swapna Devi baideo
Daughter of Dr. Nirmal Prabha Bardoloi
Guwahati
Phone 986426xxxx
Dear Mr. Ankur,
I am writing to you in appreciation of your article," Some songs,some stories" published in The Assam Tribune's , Horizon page today. I especially enjoyed reading your article about your tribute to illustrious writer- poet- lyricist Nirmal Prabha Bordoloi who is a contemporary artist and philosopher of my father's times, Shri Mihir Bordoloi, popularly known for lending his voice to one of Nirmal Prabha Bordoloi's lyrics, " Muk Eti Xur Kori Tula".
My contact # : +91708601xxxx
Yours sincerely,
Pronti Bordoloi( d/o Sri. Mihir Bordoloi)
 Ankur, very nice of you doing this. I sing songsDr. Nirmal Prabha Bordoloi in our community gatherings . I have tracks of  those Jayanta Hazarika songs. Bhupen Uzir made me those tracks. They are always alive in our hearts. We even did it at AC-2014 in NJ.
All the best.
Binoy Bardoloi , USA



Thursday, May 10, 2018

Measure of Love


                                                                                                                                   Ankur Bora
There are certain words that carry with them strong mental images – words that are capable of painting a picture with just few syllables. Mother is one such word, instantly transporting anyone that hear it to joyful feelings of wonder, love and affection. Mom, Mama, Madre, Maa: though these words are all in different languages, they signify the same concept of motherhood—love, care, nurture, dedication and selfless sacrifice. Abraham Lincoln once said, “All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my mother.” It must be true to for many of us - the earliest, the strongest and most impacting force in life begins with mother and it is impossible to tell our story without starting with hers.    
Assam Tribune , Horizon 11th May 2018
In America and as in many parts of the world, to honor all the mothers and their amazing contributions, Mother’s Day is celebrated every year on the second Sunday of May. For the non-resident Assamese, thousands of miles away from our mother, whom we cannot meet, hug or greet, it’s a bittersweet day. Nevertheless, some of us were still able to celebrate this day in a unique and fulfilling way. It was made possible due to a few charitable organizations who facilitate meetings and greetings between senior citizens and interested individuals who are willing to lend a hand. In the city of Dallas where we live, we got such an opportunity on 14th of May, last year. A few of us visited a local Rehabilitation & Nursing Center on Mother’s day where we spend the day, listening, talking and playing music for them. Some of the mothers who had not met their own songs or daughters, were delighted to receive flowers, cards and stuffed toys from us. I was having an animated conversation with a lady in a wheelchair, when she, with her touching hand alluded to her son – who had passed away never to be returned. At that moment, I felt, we were brought together as if by some divine intervention, intertwined in the common thread of love and compassion. My wife, Anjana, recited a glowing poem dedicated to the mothers while my daughters brighten the day playing violin - everybody enjoyed getting to know each other in an atmosphere of tender love and care. As we left, we realized that the seemingly little things like passing out handmade cards, poetry recitation, playing a musical instrument, are acts of love that not only make a lasting impact but also fill the hearts and minds of both the doer and the receiver with immense joy and happy memory.
Assam Tribune , Horizon Poem by Anjana Bora
There are number ways to lend a hand, a listening ear or one’s skills to senior citizens— simply giving your time and conversation can sometimes mean the most.  The loss of a parent or grandparent can be painful for many. Though that void can never be replaced, yet there are plenty of seniors out there whom we can provide tender love and company. An Assamese man hailing from a small town in upper Assam, inspired by such philanthropic zeal, has been leading a movement to create awareness and a sense of responsibility towards mothers for the past 28 years.

Gobin Bordoloi is a successful entrepreneur, who with hard work and dedication, established an electric and electronics business in North Lakhimpur town, thereby, providing employment avenues to scores of Assam Youths. However, it is a long and enduring story, in the course of his life journey he had to wade through rough waters, go through painful situations before he could steer clear and reach the shores. In the year 1990, when he was a young boy, Gobin met with an accident which shattered his whole world. The day was 20th November when, while assisting someone, high atop a tree, he suddenly slipped and his body came into direct contact with a live high voltage electrical wire. The incident left him with severe burn wounds on the upper and lower half of his body. Fortunately he survived, though, it took months of hospitalization to recover and to become fit again. In the face of inconceivable anguish and suffering, it was his mother who pulled off a miracle in his life. She carried the burden, oftentimes, working long hours and two to three menial jobs to keep the family floating. Bordoloi slowly recovered and eventually his life turned to better sails as became a successful businessman. The story, however does not end here. The dedication and sacrifice of his mother made a profound impact on Gobin Bordoloi’s life and thus he decided to establish an organization named “MAA Anusthan”

Bordoloi made a commitment to himself that at every opportunity, he would tell his story – how his mother helped him turning his life around. He commenced his mission in a right earnest visiting schools and colleges, mobilizing students and communities and felicitating aged mother or elderly women living alone. Recently, on 18th March, a program was organized at the Cotton University’s Sudmersen Hall where more than 50 aged mothers were honored. As Mr. Bordoloi became more well-known and getting more opportunities to speak to young students, he is trying to help them realize that they have a responsibility and encourage them to spend more time with their parents. He also regularly receives letters from mothers – how they are touched and loved, something that many of them have never seen in their lifetime.  
                       
Love is not merely a noun, love is also a verb and the only language love truly speaks is action. Sentiments and words can mean very little when it comes to expressing love. The language of love and sacrifice made a triumphant win and Gobin Bordoloi through his selfless act of love and singular quest, won the hearts of scores of mothers, making a difference in their life, which they otherwise would have never known. On the eve of this year’s Mother Day, we wish that you will also, truly, follow your heart with action and spread the enduring and universal message of love beauty and giving.  

                                                                        ankurbora@hotmail.com