Birendra Nath Dutta at the programme. Picture by Eastern Projections

City-based Nemcare Hospital organised a musical evening, Smritir Ekhilaa Paat, to felicitate singer-musician Birendra Nath Dutta at Rabindra Bhawan in Guwahati on August 22.

Dutta, with a chequered career spanning over half a century, enjoys a distinctive status in the arena of modern Assamese music. The evening was dedicated to legendary singer late Dilip Sarma and eminent physician-social worker Bhubaneswar Das.

After the inauguration of the programme by musician Ramen Barua and Assam cultural affairs department secretary Swapnanil Barua, Dutta was invited to the stage, where he recalled several moments of his life. The audience was treated to Dutta’s songs in an ambience filled with nostalgia.

The presentation began with passionate renditions by Sudipranjan Medhi. The songs Borshaa tomaar chokut meghor anjan... and Aakaash aamaak akoni aakaash diyaa... that the singer had chosen were splendid and Medhi’s heartfelt rendition was a perfect tribute to Dutta’s genius.

Also impressive was Nityananda Deka’s presentation of two haunting numbers, Bohudin bokulor gondh powaa naai… and Rohimolaa oranir majere... Deka maintained subtlety in his rendition of the numbers, complemented by the musicians.

Three seasoned singers who took the performance to rare heights were Anjanjyoti Choudhury (Jhilir maate gobhir bore nirjanataa...), Kula Barua (Satokhon suriyaa noi...) and Pulak Banerjee (Meli dilo mon dingaare paal...). The passion in Banerjee’s rendition was a rare treat for the audience.

Sangeeta Kakati, Pranita Baishya Medhi, Lopamudra Neog, Asimjyoti Barua and Jina Rajkumari Goswami performed laudably on the occasion. The team of musicians comprised Bhabiram Boro, Amar Deka, Dipak Talukdar, Biraj Das, Rupjyoti Sarma, Jogen Basumatary and Tapan Das.