Sitar Maestro who put Indian music on international map took his final bow

Pt. Ravi Shankar (1920-2012)

I can't claim to know much about Pandit Ravi Shankar's music, nor much about music for that matter; but it is safe to say that with his demise, the world of music has suffered another massive blow, and not just in the Indian scene but on a whole global front.

In the 1960's when India was still struggling to segregate and discover it's own identity from that of the leftover influence of Brits, a musician from orthodox classical music background emerged as a music icon of the western hippie culture. Was it dumb luck that shot him to fame? Not Likely. Dumb luck is for Gangam Style, not the likes of people who understood and fused genres with polar differences and created a blend that could be grasped and loved by many.

The multi talented Maestro wrote the Oscar-nominated score for 1982 film "Gandhi," several books, and mounted theatrical productions. His popularity exploded in the west for his multiple collaborations with western musicians, George Harrison being the most enduring one. Amongst his numerous performances in the west the most notable ones include the Woodstock Music Festival, Monterey Pop Festival and one at the Concert for Bangladesh at Madison Square Gardens in New York City (of which he was a co-organiser along with Harrison). Pandit Ravi Shankar’s influence in classical music, including on composer Philip Glass, is equally noteworthy. His work with Menuhin on their "West Meets East" albums in the 1960s and 1970s earned them a Grammy, and he wrote concertos for sitar and orchestra for both the London Symphony Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic.

Pandit Ravi Shankar has been the recipient of many prestigious awards and recognition. Silver Bear Extraordinary Prize of the Jury at the 1957 Berlin International Film Festival, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award; the three highest national civil honours of India: Padma Bhushan, in 1967, Padma Vibhushan, in 1981, and Bharat Ratna, in 1999, just to name a few. He was made an honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire by Elizabeth II for his "services to music". He will also receive lifetime achievement Grammy award posthumously, making him the first Indian recipient of the award. The 55th annual Grammy Awards show will be held in Los Angeles on February 10, 2013.

Pt. Shankar’s contribution to Indian music is equally substantial – from composing music for Apu Triology to working as the music director of All India Radio, New Delhi, from 1949 to 1956. His legacy however, is not limited to being a brilliant sitar virtuoso; rather, the fact that he helped assimilate traditional Indian Raagas into the ever progressing world of rock and roll, thus opening the flood gates of fusion. He helped to craft and develop a genre of music that the whole world could understand, relate to and enjoy. While fusion experiments may not always be successful, but with the sitar going global and forming a core part of rock ballads, jazz and world music, Shankar threw light on centuries-old traditions of Indian music which would have otherwise remained unknown. Niklas Stålvind, lead guitarist of the Swedish heavy metal band ‘Wolf’ himself played the sitar on the track “Electric Raga. A synergy like that is feasible today, thanks to the vision that Pandit Ravi Shankar had many decades back.

There’s little wonder why George Harrison of Beatles labelled him as the ‘godfather of world music’.

- by Parmita Borah

Assam celebrates Bhupen Hazarika's b’day

Dr. Bhupen Hazarika (1926-2011)

GUWAHATI, Sept 7 – Around 5,000 people from different walks of life will render in unison Dr Bhupen Hazarika’s timeless number Manuhe manuhor babe at the Sarusajai Stadium tomorrow, as the State braces to give a fitting tribute to the music maestro on his birthday.

This will be the maestro’s first birthday after his demise in November last year.

Sadiya in Tinsukia district – the birthplace of Dr Hazarika and the easternmost tip of the State – will host the central birthday function.

City-based event management group, J Creations, is organizing the musical evening at Sarusajai, while many other organizations including the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) are also celebrating the occasion in the city as also elsewhere.

“We expect some 5,000 people from across the State to sing Manuhe manuhar babe in unison at Sarusajai tomorrow. It is a homage to the singing legend, and also an attempt to use the universal appeal of his songs to usher in peace and harmony in the testing times faced by the State today,” the organizers said. A host of luminaries from the State’s musical arena will add to the grandeur of the musical evening.

The AASU will observe the evening titled ‘Uddipana’ at Dighalipukhuripar before the statue of the singer from 6 pm. The best singers from one college in each of the districts of Assam, and the best singers of the universities, will render evergreen numbers of Dr Hazarika at the function.

Cultural group Jajabor will be holding another musical evening at the Swahid Udyan at Chandmari before the statue of folk maestro Pratima Pandey who had a close association with Dr Hazarika. Several prominent singers will render a wide array of songs – including many rare gems — from the vast repertoire of songs of both Dr Hazarika and Pratima Pandey.

The Gauhati Commerce College which begins its golden jubilee celebrations tomorrow has dedicated the first day’s programme to Dr Hazarika.

- The Assam Tribune

First Superstar of India Rajesh Khanna's demise

Rajesh Khanna (1942-2012)

Yesteryear Bollywood superstar Rajesh Khanna passed away on Wednesday afternoon (July 18, 2012) after a prolonged illness. He was 70. News of Khana's deteriorating health  has been making rounds lately and the actor was reported to have visited the hospital thrice due to weakness and BP problem.

He breathed his last at his Bandra house in the presence of his physician and all his family members including  son-in-law Akshay Kumar who returned from one of his shoots abroad in wake of father-in-law's ailment.

Rajesh Khanna shot to stardom between 1969 and 1972 after 15 consecutive solo superhits and is considered the first 'superstar' of Indian cinema. He appeared in 163 feature films and did 17 short films. 

He won three Filmfare Best Actor Awards and was nominated for the same fourteen times. He received the maximum BFJA Awards for Best Actor (Hindi) – four times and nominated 25 times. He was awarded the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005.

He made his debut in 1966 with Aakhri Khat and rose to prominence with his performances in films like Raaz, Baharon Ke Sapne, Ittefaq and Aradhana. 

Rajesh Khanna was a member of Parliament for the Congress Party, from the New Delhi constituency, where he won the 1992 by-election, retaining his seat until the 1996 election. When Khanna was M.P he worked full time as a politician and did not accept new acting assignments. He had since been a political activist for the Congress Party and campaigned for Congress in Punjab for 2012 elections.

The nations mourns the demise of this legendary actor and fondly remembers him for his memorable work.

- EFNI

Assamese singer Kalpana Patowary resurrects Bhojpuri Shakespeare

Indian folk music goes global, thanks to Bhojpuri singing sensation of Assamese origin, Kalapana Patowary with the launch of her new album The Legacy of Bhikhari Thakur. Produced by EMI/Virgin records, the album is a tribute noted Bhojpuri litterateur Bhikhari Thakur. It was launched in Mauritius on the 4th of June 2012, by the country's Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Public Infrastructure Mr. Anil Kumar Bachoo and Mr. Mookhesswur Choonee, Minister of Arts and Culture.

The richness of Bhojpuri mores have perhaps been shadowed by the massive popularity of double meaning hip shakers, thanks to the competitive rating points driven entertainment industry. It therefore comes as a surprise when one of the most popular Bhojpuri vocalists decides to stream aside from the rat race and explore the lost works of Bhikhari Thakur, fondly known as Shakespeare of Bhojpuri literature for his contribution to poetry and drama.

Assam born singer Kaplana Patowary has carved a mighty niche for herself in the entertainment industry having lent her vocals to a numerous Bhojpuri songs as well as Bollywood numbers including films like Billo Barber and De Dhana Dhan. Although she has a myriad of folk and popular songs to her credit, Bhojpuri music has been her most dedicated foray.

Born in 1887, Bhikhari Thakur’s creative sojourn began late in his life for he was an illiterate until quite a few decades of his life. He learnt the three Rs from a shopkeeper when he went to Calcutta following a family tradition of working in the city. The stark social and cultural variations of his village and Calcutta, as well as works of Raja Ram Mohan Roy inspired him to express his experiences through literature. On returning to his village Bhikhari Thakur formed Bhikhari Thakur Natak Mandali thus creating a theatre form called Bidesia. Unlike conventional poets and dramatists, Thakur’s work took a dig at the redundant ways and customs of the society of his. One of his most noted works includes the tale of a woman in a village whose husband leaves the village to work in a but she still has physical desires, so she gets involved with another man and has a child.

Inspired by the contemporary nature of Thakur’s writings, Kalpana felt a need to share his work with a present day global audience. It turned out to be a mammoth task as the material available on Bhikhari Thakur is negligible. Luckily her rendezvous with a 98 year old dancer from the Bhikhari Thakur Natak Mandali gave her a first person account of the experiences of Tahkur’s legend as well as well walked her through his works.

Titled The Legacy of Bhikhari Thakur, Kalpana’s tribute to the Shakespeare of Bhojpuri literature has nine melodious tracks, the lyrics of which were penned down by Thakur himself. His memorable poems on immigration and unemployment rendered by Kapalana's powerhouse vocals have been welcomed with warmth in many parts of the globe. It has been launched in France and Mauritius and a launch in is scheduled in the foreseeable future. It's comes as no surprise that EMI/Virgin Records has undertaken the risk of pricing this Bhojpuri album at Rs. 195. The Legacy of Bhikari Thakur takes Bhojpuri music from the masses to the classes.

- by Parmita Borah

Kindgom of Ghazals loses its King

After Jagjit Singh another golden voice has departed from the world of Ghazal with Mehdi Hassan's demise.

Mehdi Hassan (July 18, 1927 - June 13, 2012)

Born into a family of traditional musicians, Mehdi Hassan was the 16th generation of hereditary musicians hailing from the Kalawant clan of musicians. He started performing at a young age and the first concert of 'dhrupad' and 'kheyal' with his elder brother is reported to have been held in Fazilka Bungla.

After the Partition of India, 20-year-old Hassan and his family migrated to Pakistan and suffered severe financial hardships Mehdi started working in Chichawatni, in a bicycle shop. He later became a car and diesel tractor mechanic.Hassan's passion for music however was never deterred by his personal struggles. Hassan's struggles gradually ceased after receiving an the opportunity to sing on Radio Pakistan in 1957, primarily as a 'Thumri' singer, which earned him recognition within the musical fraternity.

Mehdi Hassan is a recipient of multiple prestigious awards and honours: the Tamgha-i-Imtiaz granted to him by Gen Ayub Khan; the Pride of Performance bestowed on him by Gen Ziaul Haq; and the Hilal-i-Imtiaz conferred by Gen Pervez Musharraf. he received the Saigal Award in Jalandhar, India, in 1979, and the Gorkha Dakshina Bahu Award was given to him in Nepal in 1983.

This Indian born Pakistani Ghazal maestro breathed his last after battling with a prolonged illness on on 13 June 2012.

- by Parmita Borah

Ruskin Bond celebrates 25th anniversary of Penguin in Bangalore

Ruskin Bond at Landmark (Photo: Jim Ankan Deka)

Ruskin Bond, author of many widely sought after books, was at the Landmark store in Forum Mall, Bangalore, on June 6, 2012, to release his new book of poems "Hip Hop Nature Boy and Other Poems" published by Penguin Books India. The event "Meet Ruskin Bond at Landmark" was organised by Penguin Books and Landmark to celebrate their 25th anniversary this year.

With around 200 spectators, the event was grand and aesthetical. After the inauguration ceremony, the author cut a cake along with his favourite audience - children, recited a poem from the new book, answered few questions of his fans and signed autographs.

Ruskin Bond is an  Indian author of British descent born in Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh in 1934. His first novel "The Room on the Roof", written when he was seventeen, received the John Llewellyn Rhys Memorial prize in 1957. He received the Sahitya Academy award in 1993 and the Padma Shri in 1999. Presently he is staying in Landour, Mussoorie, with his extended family.

Ruskin Bond reciting a poem from his book Hip Hop Nature Boy and Other Poems (Photo: Jim Ankan Deka)

Audience asking questions to Ruskin Bond (Photo: Jim Ankan Deka)

- EFNI | Jim Ankan Deka
 

Agents of Change - Women

Defying existing conventions, establishing their own, the perfect mix of nerve and grace - these women in their own subtle style changed the way the world looked at the descendants of Venus.

Mother Teresa

Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu was a novice nun in the early years of her training when she found her true calling. Realizing that the path to God lied not just in prayers within the walls of her convent - she replaced her traditional Loreto habit with a simple cotton sari and reached to the ones less fortunate than her on the streets of Darjeeling.

Mother Teresa, as we know her today pioneered the Missionaries of Charity, India, in 1950. For over 45 years, she ministered to the poor, sick, orphaned, and dying. Born and raised in Skopje, Mother Teresa adapted India as her own country while guiding the Missionaries of Charity's expansion, first throughout India and later in other countries.

Aung San Suu Kyi

Fifteen years of house arrest and still standing strong. She was elected as the Prime Minister of Burma the 90s, but Burmese military didn’t allow her political party National League for Democracy to join the government and forced her to remain in her house sans visitors. 

Thus began her non-violent crusade to establish democracy in her country. Despite arrests and house arrest until her most recent release on 13 November 2010, Suu Kyi managed to accumulate international support for her cause. If that got you zonked dig this- Suu Kyi was offered freedom if she left the country, but she refused.

Amelia Earhert

Amelia Earhert needs no introduction. At a time when women intellect didn’t stretch beyond maneuvering vacuum cleaners and dish washers, when being an airhostess seemed the most gratifying job for women, this female aviator from America flew a plane all by herself across the Atlantic. 

Earhert delved into an arena which predominantly belonged to men and beat them at their own game- breaking many records and showing how aircraft had moved forward. We love this feisty daredevil for her guts and sense of adventure.

Kalpana Chawla

The first Indian-born woman and the second Indian person to fly in space, Kalpana Chawla had traveled 10.4 million kms, as many as 252 times around the Earth. Chawla joined the 'Astronaut Corps” in March 1995 and was selected for her first flight in 1996. 

She spoke the following words while traveling in the weightlessness of space, "You are just your intelligence". Unfortunately she was one of seven crew members killed in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster, but while she was alive she truly did live.

Coco Chanel

She redefined the concept of archetypal seamstress with her modernist thought, practical designs, and pursuit of expensive simplicity. Coco Chanel learnt how to sew in the orphanage that raised her and later used this skill to revolutionize the way women dressed. 

Her ‘little black dress’ and the trademark ‘Chanel suit’ that she introduced in the 1902s catapulted her to the echelons of fashion world. She was the only fashion designer to be named on 'Time 100: The Most Important People of the Century'. In addition to her contributions to fashion, Chanel was a popular figure in the Paris literary and artistic worlds.

- by Parmita Borah

Farewells in 2011

The reel of every passing year brings with a potpourri of joyous and aggrieved moments, convivial births and deaths. This year in particular witnessed some historic deaths; the most shocking ones being that of Osama Bin Laden and Mohammed Gaddafi, but especially of iconic figures whose impact of society and culture have been humungous. Let us take a moment here and remember the fond farewells that we bade in the year 2011.

Steve Jobs

Known for his showmanship in what is otherwise considered a geeky profession, Steve Jobs in his iconic turtle neck, jeans and sneakers took the world of technology by storm with Apple Mac and Lisa. Even when he was dethroned from his own company, Jobs moved to bring about another revolution in the world of animation with Pixar. When Apple roped him back, Jobs pioneered the ipod and the incredible radical consumer product the iPhone which soon evolved into the ipad. This legendary genius breathed his last on October 5, 2011, after battling for long with a rare form of pancreatic cancer.

Bhupen Hazarika

The Bard of Brahmaputra, Dr. Bhupen Hazarika placed Assam on the global cultural radar when he represented India in Berlin at the World Conference of Composers. His efforts towards integrating the Northeast with the rest of India, expressing political views with music, and using the platform of music as a ballista for social change are simply overwhelming. The people of Assam will remain ever grateful to him for carving a niche for Assam as a musically and culturally affluent land. When Dr. Hazarika passed away on 5 November 2011 an estimated half a million mourners arrived to pay their homage to this legend, which surpassed the number of mourners in Michael Jackson’s funeral.

Elizabeth Taylor

Multiple Academy Award winning screen Goddess of yesteryears and known for unforgettable portrayal of characters like Cleopatra, Elizabeth Taylor will always be remembered as a timeless beauty. Apart from the stardom, the legendary actress fondly known as Liz Taylor is also known for her activism and charitable foundation supporting AIDS and HIV positive victims. After suffering from many years of poor health Taylor died of congestive heart failure on 23 March 2011 at the age of 79.

M F Hussain

A contemporary artist from India, who rose to worldwide fame and controversy, Maqbool Fida Husain is another noted figure in the world of culture to have left this world this year. Often criticized for alleged misinterpretation of Hindu deities, M F Hussain left India in 2006. He also took a shot at Film Making and being the controversy’s child that he was, Hussain received a mixed bag of reviews for his work. His colorful personality and expressed fondness for a myriad of Bollywood actresses occasionally got his name printed on Page 3. M F Husain died, aged 95, on 9 June 2011, following a heart attack.

Dennis Ritche

Another mighty pioneer in the world of computers, Dennis Ritche helped shape the digital era and is was best known as the creator of the C programming language, a key developer of the Unix operating system, and co-author of The C Programming Language. In 1990, both Ritchie along with Ken Thompson received the IEEE Richard W. Hamming Medal from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), "for the origination of the UNIX operating system and the C programming language". Ritchie was found dead on 12 October, 2011, at the age of 70 at his home in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey. 

Computer historian Paul E. Ceruzzi had quoted: "Ritchie was under the radar. His name was not a household name at all, but... if you had a microscope and could look in a computer, you'd see his work everywhere inside".

Amy Winehouse

While most vocalists of her age and time engaged in creating peppy muzak, Amy Winehouse’s foray into fame came from her multifarious mix of RnB, Soul and Jazz, her distinctive style, and her powerful contralto vocals. However like most extremely talented musicians with the passage of time, her controversial battle with drugs, alcohol and various health problems took over her and she became a victim of her own demons. Winehouse died of an overdose on 23 July, 2011. Her musical career might indeed have been brief, but it was a reflection of pure talent, musical knowledge and a captivating personality.

Shammi Kapoor

Known as Elvis Presley of India for his western looks and bouncy dance moves, Shammi Kapoor remained a prominent romantic lead in Hindi cinema from the late 1950s until the early 1970s. Not many are aware but Shammi Kapoor was the founder and chairman of Internet Users Community of India (IUCI). He had also played a major role in setting up internet organisations like the Ethical Hackers Association. Kapoor maintained a website dedicated to the 'Kapoor family’. He died on 14 August, 2011, from chronic renal failure. Shammi Kapoor will be fondly remembered for his vitality and charm and for bringing many characters to life and making them memorable.

M. A. K. Pataudi

Fondly known as Tiger Pataudi, ex Indian cricketer and former captain of the Indian cricket team was as the ninth Nawab of Pataudi until 1971, when India abolished royal entitlements through the 26th Amendment to the Constitution of India. He was an Indian Cricket Cricketer of the Year in 1962, and a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1968. Tiger Pataudi breathed his last on 23 September 2011. His funeral was attended by myraid of film actors, directors and producers, as well as cricketing fraternity.

Jagjit Singh

Revered as one of the finest vocalists and a Ghazal maestro, Jagjit Singh was touted for contemporizing Ghazals with his melodic baritone voice and the infusion of western instruments in the genre. His silky voice ruled during early 80's in films like Prem Geet, Saath Saath and Arth. Singh crooned his last film song for Ashish Ubale's upcoming film Anandache Dohi. 

Jagjit Singh was the recipient of many prestigious awards including the 'Padma Bhushan', one of India's highest civilian honors by the Government of India. Singh’s career touched meticulous heights in the 70s and 80s and he came to be known as ‘The Ghazal King’ among music lovers. His collaboration with better half, ghazal singer Chitra Singh established them as the first ever successful duo-act (husband-wife) in the history of recorded Indian music. He died on October 10, 2011 at the age of 70 in Mumbai at Lilavati hospital, after suffering from a brain hemorrhage.

Kim Jong il

The supreme leader of North Korea (DPRK) from 1994 to 2011 Kim Jong-il was the General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, Chairman of the National Defence Commission of North Korea, and the supreme commander of the Korean People's Army, the fourth-largest standing army in the world. In April 2009, North Korea's constitution was amended to refer to him implicitly as the "supreme leader". Among other titles e was also referred to as the "Dear Leader", "our Father", "the General", and "Generalissimo”. There are many mystical legends attached to his birth and lifetime.

Kim Jong-il died of a suspected heart attack on 17 December 2011.

- by Parmita Borah

The King's Speech Star to Auction Himself for Charity

Colin Firth, one of the most sought after British Cine stars will auction himself for Oxfam America, a charity dedicated to ending poverty.

His fans can now bid on a chance to meet him at the Hollywood premiere of his new movie through an auction to raise money for Oxfam.

The winning bidder will receive two passes to the December 6 premiere of the Colin Firth starer ‘Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy’ based on the best selling novel by John le Carre.

Not just that, the winner and a friend will also get a chauffeured ride to a Chateau Marmont after party.

Fans can bid through Wednesday on the opportunity to shake hands with Firth. Oxfam America has teamed up with eBay for the fundraiser.

Following a successful career as in the UK, Firth has become a known face in Hollywood especially after box office hits like ‘Bridget Jones's Diary’ and ‘Love Actually’.

He is also known for his work in TV miniseries ‘Pride & Prejudice’, and the movies ‘Shakespeare in Love’.

Colin Firth won the Oscar for Best Actor for a sensitive portrayal of King George VI who battles to overcome his stammering , in the 2010 drama ‘The King's Speech’.

-by Parmita Borah

Jolie to Play the Iconic Gertrude Bell in Ridley Scott's Next

Angelina Jolie will soon be seen stepping into the shoes of iconic woman leader “Gertrude Bell” in her upcoming movie with the same name, to be produced by Ridley Scott’s production company.

Scott is also contemplating directing the biopic, after completion of his Alien’s prequel-of-sorts Prometheus, which hits theatres in June.

The project’s screenplay is being written by Jeffrey Caine, who wrote the script for 2005’s “The Constant Gardner.”

Gertrude Bell, a British woman, pioneered the mapping the Middle East in early 20th century, which became the framework for what would become Jordan and Iraq.

Bell won widespread admiration among Arabs for being instrumental in founding of Iraq during World War I and is often described as the female ‘Lawrence of Arabia’.

The Tomb Raider was roped in by the makers of this film for her history of playing strong female characters. The Oscar winning actor has previously portrayed periodic characters in movies like Alexander and Changeling.

-by Parmita Borah

Dr. Bhupen Hazarika - the Great Ballad Singer of India

Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, the Assamese Maestro who represented Assam in the world music scenario, passed away on Saturday, Nov 5,2011, in Mumbai at 4.37 P.M. He was 85 years old. He is considered the last of the great ballad singers in India and one of the greatest singers of all time.

As arrangement for last rites of the mortal remains for Dr. Bhpuen Hazarika inside the premises of Guwahati University progresses, thousands of people amass at the Judges Field in Guwahati, Assam to pay their last respects to the bard of Brahmaputra.

The state governments of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh have declared Nov 8, 2011, as state mourning to Dr. Hazarika. Arunachal Pradesh remembers this legendary musician for his association with the state that began four decades ago. His early songs like Hamara Arunachal embody the spirit of the land and its people and compositions like 'Kata jawanar mritu hol' referred to the 1962 Chinese aggression.

Mourners from Bollywood too have extended their condolences for his unfortunate demise. Popular singer Shaan commented “Bhupenda's humility and simplicity were second to none. He was never in a hurry, always accommodating. He had a childlike gaze. We once had a beer at Kolkata airport. I thought it was really cool. I have lots of warm memories .When we were recording, he would never impose his views. He would patiently guide us through the song. He was always smiling and kept everyone around him comfortable”.

India’s melody queen Lata Mangeshkar too remembers Dr. Hazarika with find affection. “I fell in love with Bhupenda's music. Our association continued through decades. He became close to my entire family specially my youngest sister Usha who sang innumerable Assamese songs for him”, she recalled.

Kolkata and Pune Film Fraternity too paid their homage to this legendary musician.

Born in Sadiya, Assam, on 8th Sept, 1926, Dr. Bhupen Hazarika was a noted music director, playwright, actor, journalist, author, lyricist, poet, politician and film-maker of the highest repute. He was known for his crisp baritone voice and flawless diction. He started his music career by writing and singing his first song at the age of 10 and working for the second Assamese film, Indramalati (Dir - Jyoti Prasad Agarwala), in 1939, when he was 12 years old.

In his lifetime, Bhupen Hazarika has been associated with noted film directors like painter Maqbool Fida Husain, Sai Paranjype, Lekh Tandon, Kalpana Lajmi and Bimal Dutt. He had directed music for many movies by these directors. Dr. Hazarika produced, directed, composed music and sang for 32 (thirty two) films in Assamese, Hindi and other languages. He was one of India's oldest performing singers who entertained music lovers all over the world for more than seven decades.

He represented India in Berlin at the World Conference of Composers who used songs as an instrument in social change. He was given the honour of inaugurating the World Seminar in Congress Hall with his own songs on the liberation of Bangladesh.

In 1987, Sangeet Natak Academy in New Delhi awarded him for his outstanding contribution towards Indian music. In 1999, he has been appointed by the Honourable President of India as the Chairman of Sangeet Natak Akademi for a period of five years. In 1987 he won "Assam's Man of the Year" award. Same year the Government of Assam bestowed its highest award the 'Shankar Dev Award' for his contribution to Assam's culture.

His biggest achievement in terms of awards would be 'The Dadasaheb Phalke Award', also considered as 'India's Oscar', which he was honoured In 1993 for his lifetime's contribution to development of Indian cinema.

Dr. Bhupen Hazarika was hospitalized in the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital and Medical Research Institute in Mumbai in 2011 after he suffered dehydration. He was in ICU for four months and required dialysis due to kidney failure. He was admitted to the intensive care unit on June 30, 2011. He died of multiple organ failure at the age of 85.

The Assam government announced a three-day mourning from Nov 6, 2011 and a state holiday on Nov 8, 2011 on his honour. The mortal remains of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika was brought to Guwahati on Monday, Nov 7 and was kept at Guwahati's Judges' Field for two days for the people to pay their last respects.

Dr. Hazarika had always been a dreamer and had to struggle his way through life at different points. But his dreams and hard work made him reach the top of the ladder and a legend. Though Dr. Bhupen Hazarika is no more physically, his music will linger on and give hope and faith to the upcoming musicians to carry on with their dreams.

-by Jim Ankan Deka & Parmita Borah

Other Dr. Bhupen Hazarika articles - Assamese Maestro Turns 86 ; Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, the Legend of Assam

On A Spiritual And Emotional Journey - India.Arie And Her Music

It isn’t always that one comes across a musician who manages to brilliantly take the listener on an introspective journey. India.Arie is a woman who simply radiates with a light... a light that emanates from her soul and reaches out to one through her music. A multi talented woman, who sings, writes, plays, arranges and produces music. India’s richly textured voice and the ability to commune directly with her listeners through impressive, soul stirring lyrics is overwhelming and truly inspiring.

Born in Denver, Colorado on October 3 1975, India Arie Simpson is a Grammy Award-winning American soul, R&B, and neo soul musician, songwriter, and producer. She absorbed musical skills early in life as she was encouraged by both parents. Her mother Joyce is a former singer (she was signed to Motown as a teenager and opened for Stevie Wonder and Al Green). Her father is former ABA and NBA basketball player Ralph Simpson.

After her parents divorced, Simpson's mother moved the family to Atlanta, Georgia when she was thirteen. Simpson had taken up a succession of musical instruments throughout her schooling in Denver, but her interest in the guitar while attending the Savannah College of Art and Design, in Savannah, led to a personal revelation about song writing and performing.

"When I started tapping into my own sensitivity, I started to understand people better. It was a direct result of writing songs", she said at the press release of her debut album, Acoustic Soul.

Her first single “Video” and her multi–platinum debut album Acoustic Soul were released in 2001. It was followed by the release of the platinum selling Voyage to India in 2002, an album acclaimed worldwide by critics. The New York Times called it “music that only further enhances her reputation as an artist of substance; centering on her acoustic guitar and confident but restrained vocals, it recalls such soul masters as Stevie Wonder and Roberta Flack.” In 2006 she released her No. 1 charting album Testimony: Vol.1, Love & Relationship. Next was the highly anticipated Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics, which was released in 2009. Besides these she has also collaborated with many musicians and her latest collaboration is with Israeli musician Idan Raichel – a driving force in contemporary world music. Together they created Open Door –a collection of soul stirring, poignant songs, the authentic East-meets-West experience.

Songs of love, of empowerment and emancipation, of inner emotions... there is a candid expression of feelings and emotions in her songs. India.Arie has the charismatic ability to absorb one and simply motivate to assert one’s true self and to love oneself and to love life.

“I feel my music is even more in accordance with where people are. Everybody’s looking for ways to feel better –– the world is so unpredictable, people are looking inside themselves to ask what’s meaningful in life. My music has always addressed this, and now it’s so much in vibrational accordance with what people are thinking.” -India.Arie

-by Samriddhi Tanti

Candid Conversation With Kalpana Patowary

 (Click on the play button above to listen to the interview)

She’s an Assamese lassie who sings in Bhojpuri. When most musicians vie for contemporary forms of music, Kalpana Patowary headed in the direction of folk and has established herself as a sought after Folk Music vocalist of our time. Parmita Borah talks to the lady herself about her rendezvous with music.

Parmita Borah: Although you’re from Assam, you have voiced more songs in Bhojpuri language. What inspired you? 

Kalpana Patowary: Frankly speaking, being from Assam, we Assamese artists have a very dangerous ‘accent’ problem. Even I face it. However, much before me, Dr. Bhupen Hazarika paved the way when he made a traditional Assamese wedding song into a Bhojpuri song (bursts into as song by Dr. Bhupen Hazarika). People like Dr. Bhupen Hazarika made it large even with Bhojpuri songs. Similarly, Jyoti Prasad Agarwala was from Rajasthan but took on Assamese music and gave a new direction to it. So they have all inspired me. 

PB: You’ve mentioned that Assamese artists have trouble with the accent. So when it comes to mastering the ability to sing in Bhojpuri and getting accepted by the Bhojpuri people themselves, was it a challenge for you? 

KP:If some tells you to write in Gujrati or Bhojpuri out of the blue, you will face a problem. Be it the literature perspective or grammatical, it’s bound to be a challenge. But I simply went with the flow. Currently I am singing in 23 different languages, somehow Bhojpuri clicked. I don’t know how. 

PB: It’s destiny... 

KP: Yeah. I am doing a research, a thesis sort of work on the legacy of Bhikhari Thakur. He is like Assam’s Dr. Bhupen Hazarika or Bengal’s Rabindra Nath Tagore. Bhikhari Thakur is a personality of that category. About hundreds of years ago, during the British Raj, a lot of people from UP and Bihar were taken out as labourers, to places like West Indies, Trinidad, Tobago and Fiji. Now, I’ve been called by the Government on West Indies because the people over there want to their roots, their musical roots. They know that they are basically from UP and Bihar, but don’t know much beyond that. It’s an irony that an Assamese girl will introduce them to their own roots. It’s actually very interesting. 

PB: Tell us something about you upcoming album Mai-re. 

KP: Mai-re is a Hindi album. About three-four years back, when I began to taste success, there was also a vacuum forming inside me simultaneously. I was searching for something inexplicable, that search led to Mai-re. The emptiness that was around despite the rush around me, that’s Mai-re. The whole world, its global warming and its negativity, everything that’s going on, Mai-re is all about that. 

PB: Let’s talk about JUNOON…..Kuchh Kar Dikhaane Ka. The show shot you to nationwide fame. How was the experience? 

KP: Thrilling! It was a where I discovered more of myself. Basically I was called for the UP/Bihar group. “Maati Ke Laal” was its name. But I spoke to the production team, that being from Assam; I wanted to show the Assamese folk as well. Finally I managed to represent UP/Bihar and Assam. Assamese music was widely accepted and liked on the show. 

PB: You made quite a splash with Billo Barber and Khatta Meetha. Are you planning to focus entirely on Bollywood? 

KP: Bollywood is not that important for me now. Work keeps coming and going, but I am not concentrating only on Bollywood. 

PB: Northeast has many talented singers and musicians. Do you think they have been successful on a national level? 

KP: Ofcourse, Northeast guys are very talented-not just musicians, but technicians as well. But somehow we lack a certain fighting spirit and the will to promote ourselves. It’s not possible to survive only on talent- one has to market herself/himself properly. The mindset that that we are from Northeast, we are backward is very negative and we need to lose that to succeed. 

PB: I was about to ask you for a message for aspiring musicians, but you’ve already covered that. I’d like you to leave a message for our readers now. 

KP: Explore yourself. The world of music is very interesting. Don’t restrict yourself, shed your inhibitions and get out of your comfort zones. Music has only one language and that is the language of feelings 

PB: Thank you so much for joining us.

KP: Thank you. 

In Fond Memory of Jagjit Singh

The world of music suffered a massive loss with the demise of ghazal maestro Jagjit Singh. He died on October 10, 2011 at the age of 70 in Mumbai at Lilavati hospital, after he suffered from a brain hemorrhage.

Jagjit Singh is known for contemporizing Ghazals with his melodic baritone voice and the infusion of western instruments in the genre. He pioneered the inclusion of the 12 string guitar and bass guitar in Ghazals. As a result, Ghazal emerged as a classically proficient yet trendy and marketable form of music. Patrons loyal to films songs suddenly found themselves grabbing copies of Jagjit Singh’s records.

Singh’s career touched meticulous heights in the 70s and 80s and he came to be known as ‘The Ghazal King’ among music lovers. His collaboration with better half, ghazal singer Chitra Singh established them as the first ever successful duo-act (husband-wife) in the history of recorded Indian music. Chitra Singh however, stopped singing after their only son Vivek died in an accident in July 1990. Jagjit Singh has sung in several languages including Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi and Nepali.

Jagjit Singh entered the music circuit at a time which was primarily dominated by Pakistani ghazal singers, and Indian singers were considered relatively lesser authentic than their Pakistani counterparts. Unlike other ghazal singers, Singh did not hesitate in lending his voice for films. His silky voice ruled during early 80's in films like Prem Geet, Saath Saath and Arth. Singh crooned his last film song for Ashish Ubale's upcoming film Anandache Dohi. 

Jagjit Singh was the recipient of many prestigious awards including the 'Padma Bhushan', one of India's highest civilian honors by the Government of India.

Singh's passion, after singing, was horse racing. He would name his horses after his music albums, and his first horse was called Sound Affair.

Jagjit Singh may have left this mortal world but his golden voice will linger on.

-by Parmita Borah

Other Link - In His Voice, There Is Peace - The New York Times

Bad Guys We Love - Best Bollywood Villains (Part 1)

Back home, Bollywood Baddies have varied from gangsters, local goons, and corrupt cops to wicked step moms and mother -in-laws. There is also a breed of Bollywood Villains who are known for a different genre of notoriety. Their speciality lies in molesting wives, girlfriends and sisters of the protagonists. They scandalized our aunties, make them wipe their misty noses with tear soaked cotton handkerchiefs and blurt out, ‘Kaminey tere ghar mein ma behen nahi hain kya?’(Rascal, don’t you have a mother or sister at home?) Off late, the existence of such nasty felons is sort of on the decline with candy floss romances, cheating husbands, bikini babes and item numbers taking over. So let’s take a quick trip down memory lane and track down some of the most iniquitous characters seen on the silver screens of Bollywood.

Bhavani Devi - Sau din Saas Ke 

Played by Lalita Pawar

Schemer, envious, spiteful Matriarch Bhavani Devi runs her regal home with an iron hand. A fly wouldn’t dare move an inch without her permission. Trouble starts when her sons marry women against her wishes, worse the blushing brides didn’t being a lot of dowry with them. Bhavani Devi would go to any extent to instil fear in the hearts of her daughters in law, and resorts to extreme measures like hitting them and burning their pretty toes. Her tyranny goes well, till the entry of her second daughter is law, Reena Roy in the guise of an subtle iron woman, who has the guts to say “Bas Kijiye Maaji”. (Enough already mother).

Member of Parliament Chaturvedi – Aakhree Rasta 

Played by Sadashiv Amrapukar

He is so sly that he sends the husband of his muse on a rail roko andolan. While the ignorant hubby David D'Costa (Amitabh Bachchan) is out there as a devoted political party worker, rising politician Chaturvedi pays a quick visit to the naïve and unsuspecting wife-Mary (Jayaprada). He strips her off a 9 yard long saree and ahem, does it with her, as she squeals ‘Bachao’ (all the while verbalizing graphic details of his carnal aggression). When husband D'Costa discovers what happened, Chaturvedi pays off some cops to put him behind the bars before any confrontation can happen. After serving his term, a vengeance driven D'Costa (who now wears a grey wig) is out there to pound Chaturvedi to death, to avenge his wife’s dishonoring. Chatturvedi, watch out, Big B has spent two decades with a bunch of hardened criminals and beating you in your own game, should be cake walk for him! (Rama Shetty in Ardha Satya and Maharani in Sadak are two of the other notable negative characters played by Amrapukar. I would have written about them too, but my mean editor has given a word limit).

Shakaal - Shaan 

Played by Kulbhushan Kharbanda

Shakaal-the name itself is intimidating, isn’t it? There’s something about this authoritative first names that makes Bollywood Bad guys more villainous. Shakaal is bald, wears designer costumes custom made to suit his personality, and parks his arse on a colossal throne. His calm demeanor and sardonic smile makes him one of the most sophisticated and avant-garde villains Bollywood has witnessed. Besides what do you say about a guy who has his own island, controls it from a roomful of switches and has his own shark? I’d pretty much stay out of his way.

Loin - Kalicharan 

Played by Ajit

Say hello to another suit-boot walla angrez type villain in Hindi Cinema. Nothing beats the “Saara seher mujhe loin ki naam se jaanta hain”. (The whole city knows me by the name of loin).Din Dayal is an honest rich guy who rules the empire of crime and Mafia under the alias of Loin. He is the man under whom black-marketing, smuggling and robberies flourish in the city but makes sure to maintain a clean image in the public eye. It takes the iron will and hand of Inspector Kalicharan to crack a duplicitous nut like Din Dayal a.k.a Loin

Prem - Bobby 

Played by Prem Chopra

In the 21st century, Prem would have been an average promiscuous commitment phobic bachelor, who dates the pretty supporting actress and ditches them due to his lust for the heroine. His brief cameo in Bobby as Prem Chopra and the famous one liner ‘Prem Naam Hain Mera, Prem Chopra’ (The name’s Prem, Prem Chopra) sort of encompasses an entire career spent on the wrong side of the law. Prem Chopra a.k.a. Prem the sleazy bad boy, who even manages to attract pretty girls, perhaps the only one of his kind during his time.

Rahul Mehra - Darr 

Played by Shahrukh Khan

He may be suspending from invisible cables and shaking his booty to the beats of Chammak Challo with Kareena Kapoor; but long before science had its way and transformed a curly haired geek into a spiky haired Superhero, Shahrukh Khan played a star-crossed psycho stalker. He anonymously sings love songs for his love interest and his naughty crank calls professing his love for k-k-k-Kiran keeps getting crazier and scarier as the film progresses. Worse, he fell for a woman married to none other Sunny Paaji, the owner of a dhai kilo wajan wala haath (an arm that weighs 2.5 kilos). Yet the pretty boy manages to slip the grip of the mighty Sunny Deol, bump off a few guys and almost woos his lady love till he gets shot by her angered husband.

Ma’am - Kaun 

Played by Urmilla Matondkar

A white collar worker and a thief posing as cop manage to enter the lavish house of a solitary girl on a rainy night. The girl had seen a piece of news about a serial killer earlier that evening and it appears that either of the two men could be the serial killer from the news. But hold on, what do we see? The seemingly innocent girl is actually a psycho herself! She stabs her victims for no apparent reason, throws them off the roof and sings nursery rhymes. Urmilla Matondkar’s convincing portrayal of a nameless psycho killer (addressed as Ma’am by the other two characters) would completely leave you baffled and gasping for breath. You better not look into those eerie looking eyes, for she could make you freeze with her gaze.

Kesariya Vilayti aka BAD MAN – Ram Lakhan 

Played by Gulshan Grover

Time for some iconic Bollywood villains, one of them being the Kesariya Vilayti a.k.a Bad Man! When a man calls himself bad, well there’s no stopping him. There’s nothing much one remembers about this character but for his name and the way he says BAD MAN! The notorious gangster pretty much plays his cards right but the government slaps a reward for him, and he gets captured by street urchin named Lakhan.

Mogambo - Mr India 

Played by Amrish Puri

When one is making a list of Bollywood Baddies, is it possible to leave out Mr. Amrish Puri? He had convincingly portrayed so many negative roles that it was hard to accept him as a good man when he graduated into character roles. It is safe to say that Mogambo is the most iconic villain role Amrish Puri has ever performed. He dresses like he’s walked out of Buckingham palace, has blonde hair, but speaks excellent Hindi. His den looks like a sci-fi set, he has Chinese scientists making missiles for him, and a minion that chants in chorus ‘Hail Mogambo’. He is out there to promote bonding and alliances in the community of international terrorism and his control room is bigger than Shakal or Loin’s. When he is happy he says ‘Mugambo Khus Hua’ and it takes the might of an invisible hero like Mr. India to take him down.

Gabbar - Sholay 

Played by Amzad Khan

Amitabh Bachchan seems to have had trysts with most of the baddies on our list during his hay days. Amzad Khan’s debut as a super villain Gabbar Singh in probably the Indian version of The Good, the Bad and The ugly has a cult following till date. Every single dialogue that he uttered in Sholay, his repugnant laughter, and his tobacco spitting (Khak Thu) has attained an iconic status among cine goers, then and now. Gabbar’s leads and feeds a bunch of sidekicks, the most accountable ones being Samba and Kaaliya. His Return on Investment model is taxation on the people of Ramgarh village. His only mistake was to chop Thakur’s hand (sort of the village headman) instead of wiping him off completely. The handless Thakur backfires by hiring two city bred ruffians to put an end to Gabbar’s regime. Gabbar Singh is credited some of the most immortal lines of Bollywood history, the most famous ones being ‘Kitne Aadmi the’ and ‘Yeh Haath mujhe de de Thakur’.

-by Parmita Borah