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Guwahati, April 13: Zubeen Garg continues to rule the charts, but somebody else is basking in the Bihu spotlight.
Barnali Kalita has become one of the most sought-after singers for Bihu functions this year, a popularity she owes as much to her mellifluous voice as to her prolific nature. The young singer churned out an astounding 309 Bihu songs in just one calendar year, a feat bettered only by Zubeen.
Barnali is set to travel the length and breadth of the state to set the Bihutolis on fire over the next one month, but the singer remains modest about her achievements and attributes her popularity to the ?love of the people?.
Barnali?s songs grace several bestselling albums, including the hit Moromjan series with Anupam Saikia and the peppy Chal Gori with Krishnamoni Chutia.
?Barnali?s USP is her voice, which is perfect for Bihu songs. She was the main attraction at our Bihu function last year and, so, we invited her again,? said a member of a Bihu organising committee in an Upper Assam town.
Barnali?s popularity is evident from the fact that she is now among the top eight singers of the state in terms of the fee she commands for each performance.
Zubeen still tops the list, charging a handsome Rs 2 lakh for each appearance. Industry sources say maestro Bhupen Hazarika earns between Rs 2 lakh and Rs 2.5 lakh, but limits his performances to one or two shows during the entire Bihu season.
The Mumbai-based Saswati Phukan, the voice behind some hit remixes, including Kaanta Laaga, is close behind Zubeen in terms of appearance fees.
She, too, will perform at functions across the state this season. Anupam is another Bihu crowd-puller and so is national award winner Tarali Sarma, though she prefers to stick to quality rather than quantity.
As the beat of the dhol and the strains of the pepa rent the air, people are hoping violence does not mar this festive season. ?Hope it stays peaceful during Bihu. And why Bihu alone? It should be like this the whole year,? said college student Anushka Saikia, before making a dash for Fancy Bazar to do some last-minute shopping.
The crowd at the main shopping area in the city is testimony to the fact that Bihu is here.
The meteorological office at Borjhar has predicted fair weather with a few spells of rain over the next few days.