(From left) Rishiraj Sarma, Rijushree Sarma Mazumdar, Sudakshina Sarma and Dilip Sarma perform at the Soorar Deul

The 116th session of Soorar Deul, held once a month at Vivekananda Kendra auditorium, on October 26 was distinctly different from past sessions.

After a long time, the soiree seemed to have regained its lost charm thanks to the brilliant performance of great octogenarian singer-composer Dilip Sarma and his wife Sudakshina.

Their last show in Guwahati nearly two years back still lingers in many a mind and this time too, their fascinating performance left everybody spellbound.

The organisers deserve praise for presenting Dilip Sarma before the audience.

He was first invited to the stage to lead a group of budding talents to present the immortal Bishnu Rabha number Surare Deulore Rupare Shikolee… in chorus.

Rajkumari Lulu, a young danseuse, performed to the tune of another mesmerising Bishnu Rabha number Logon Ukoli Gol Teoje Nohol Dekhaa… sung with great passion by Sarma.

The mass singer, famous for his skill of scale variation and creation of an ambience of pathos inspired Lulu immensely to put in measured stress on abhinaya in her performance.

The next one to share the stage with Sarma was Rijushree Sarma Mazumdar in Rabindrasangeet, Dinguli Mor Sonaar Khaachaai Roilo Naa.

And then Sudakshina Sarma came to the stage and the couple presented five numbers. The first one was the Durgawali Geet Moyo Bone Jaao Swaami O...

The others numbers they presented in collage style were Bishwabijoyee No-jowaan (of Rupkonwar Jyotiprasad), Sankochcero Bihbhalataa Nijerii Apamaan... (of Tagore), Bol Bol Bol Krishak Shakti Dol... (of Bishnu Rabha) and Chol Chol Chol Urdhagagane Baaje Maadol... (of Nazrul).

Sarma concluded his programme leading another group of young singers in the rendition of Tagore’s Jodi Tor Daak Shune Keu Naa Ashe... as chorus.