An evening dedicated to songs penned by Nirmal Prabha Bordoloi promises to be at once nostalgic and refreshing.

Unquestionably one of the greatest names in the world of Assamese modern music, Bordoloi has given the industry some memorable lyrics. Not surprisingly, the evening, Saar Paam Moi..., had a huge singer line-up — both upcoming and veterans — in what was supposed to be a tribute to the lyricist.

Organised by the state cultural affairs directorate on Bordoloi’s third death anniversary on July 1, the programme began with her daughter Swapna Devi paying floral tribute to the lyricist’s portrait.

The evening was then thrown open with a chorus.

Singer Jayanta Das was the first to present a solo song, Saar Paam Moi Puwati Nishate.... It was followed by many other evergreen numbers — Nila Akashare..., Ki Naam di Maatim..., Godhuli Aahil Tora Jilikil..., O Meghor Baa Laagile..., Din Din Nodike Saai..., Phul Phulobor Botor Aahil..., Dekha Naai Aage Ene Chhobi Dekha Naai..., Ei Logonot Kolo..., by Chinmoyee Bordoloi, Shrab-oni Barua, Daisy Das, Antara Kalita, Anita Borthakur, Gitanjali Sarma Barua, Rina Goswami Barua, Hemanta Deka and Mayur Bora.

Of all the songs rendered, four deserve special mention — Rupam Bhuyan’s Sita Banabas Kiman Chabano..., Chhandamita Thakuria’s Sonar Kharu Naalaage Mok Biyaar Baabe Aai..., Abhushruti Bezbarua’s Sondhiyaar Aakashat Bogoli Ure... and Bhaswati Deka’s Kon Sei Rupavati Jaai....

Altogether 17 songs, carefully chosen from the lyricist’s oeuvre, were rendered with great passion and care. Many of these songs were immortalised by Jayanta Hazarika, Jyotish Bhattacharyya, Birendra Nath Dutta and Dipali Borthakur.

On the whole, a neat and well-presented programme.