Guwahati, Jan. 23: The Goalparia lokgeet tradition received a shot in the arm today with the release of a book of swaralipi (notations) of its doyen, Pratima Barua Pandey’s songs — something rare in the folk song genre.

The book, Pratima Barua Pandeyr Geetor Swarolipi, is a treasure trove of swaralipis that have been painstakingly written by a team of experts at the initiative of an NGO, Goalparia Samaj Guwahati.

Popular Assamese music director Ramen Barua today released the first volume of the 112-page book, which contains swaralipis of some very popular Goalparia lokgeets such as Nadi He Phote Nadiya Hola, Radhar Awaxer Majhe, Pran Kokilare, Bandhur Badite, Baro Maxe Tero Phul Phote, Sompa Nadir Bogle and Morihe Morihe Morihe Shyam.

Barua said it was a good sign that people from different parts of the state were coming forward to sing Goalparia lokgeet. “Though some audio albums on Goalparia lokgeet have been released recently, many of the songs have not been sung properly. I had a close connection with Pratima baideu and her songs still reverberate in our ears. I feel bad if somebody does not sing her songs properly,” he said, adding, “Besides, there are attempts to give a modern touch to these songs. This should not be done. Let these songs remain the way they are.”

President of the Goalparia Samaj, Girish Roy, said, “Our aim is to protect the Goalparia lokgeets from being distorted by others. That is why we formed a panel of experts, comprising people like Nikhilesh Barua, Ajgar Ali and Anamika Sarma, to make swaralipis on these songs. We hope people will now know the exact way to sing these beautiful songs.”

AASU president Sankar Prasad Roy, who was involved in the process of creating the swaralipis, said, “The effort of the samaj is already being criticised and some quarters are expressing apprehensions about it. I urge people to desist from destructive criticism, as it may discourage the people working on this project,” he said.

Hailing from the royal family of Gauripur in lower Assam's Dhubri district, Pandey devoted her life to collect and sing Goalparia songs. These songs are now popular in the entire state and in several parts of the country because of her tireless efforts.