The album Manjyotsna

Singer Manjyotsna Goswami’s latest audio album, Manjyotsna, stands out as a rare one amid umpteen run-of-the-mill albums being produced regularly for archival significance.

The album, released recently, contains as many as 18 immortal Assamese numbers penned by “Luit Konwar” Rudra Barua and noted lyricist Keshab Mahanta. Of these, eight have been set to music by Barua himself.

Significantly, such an album of haunting, evergreen melodies, which carry the flavour of a distinguished school of typical modern Assamese music, is bound to have a lasting effect on the younger generation.

Qualitywise, Manjyotsna has attained a distinctive height because of the singer’s passionate and sensitive rendition.

The very first number, “Pokaa Dhaanar Maaje Maaje Soru Soru Aali...” the most significant of all the Rudra Barua numbers, finds a different flavour in the singer’s keen rendition and restrained but enchanting overall musical expertise. The portion of the number bearing the essence of Bodo folk tunes comes out refreshingly in Manjyotsna’s voice.

The same favour is felt in three more numbers of the album: “Bowati Noir Paarare..., Kaar Jaano Parashat...” and “Hoyeraa Jetuki Baai...”. The fine recording quality has made all the three numbers a listener’s delight.

Another number, “Enekoye Bhaagene Sapon...”, which fetched Manjyotsna and Keshab Mahanta the best singer and best lyricist awards respectively at the state film award festival a few years back, is an added asset of the album. This is obviously one of the most haunting numbers of the contemporary Assamese music arena and its inclusion has enriched the quality of the album.

Some other comparatively new numbers, penned by Kajal and set to music by him along with Manjyotsna, bear signs of a wonderful creative outcome of the lyricist-musician-singer amalgam.

Of these, the numbers, “Baarishaare Barashun..., Aahinar Niyarat..., Imaan Aabegera...” and “Tomaak Aadari...”, deserve special mention. All four numbers are beautifully rendered.

Among the new generation of singers, Manjyotsna has earned a distinct identity for her immaculate voice quality, and the numbers in her album are perfect examples of such rare voice quality.