Deepali Borthakur cuts the birthday cake at her residence on Wednesday. Picture by UB Photos

Jan. 30: It is a love story, which has left a lasting impression on denizens.

More than 200 people who visited the house of the septuagenarian couple — singer Deepali Borthakur and artist Nilpaban Barua — at Beltola this evening, saw in a documentary how a moment of “just two minutes” led to their marriage.

For many, including Deepali’s brother and playwright Mahendra Borthakur, the decision of Barua to marry Borthakur, a victim of incurable motor neuron disease, was surprising to say the least.

“She had just returned from her treatment abroad. One of my friends, Arkendu, told me to marry her. At that time, I was not prepared at all for marriage. But, after Arkendu’s advice, I changed my mind,” said Barua.

The marriage gave a new life to the singer. “I thought I would have to live a lonely life being a burden on the family. But the marriage definitely changed my life. I looked towards the future with a new hope,” Borthakur says in the documentary.

The story of the singer’s life, including her eventful marriage, is part of The Queen of Melody, on the occasion of her 72nd birthday. Produced by G.N. Creation, the documentary has been directed by Upakul Bordoloi and produced by Ranjit Gogoi and Hrishikesh Borthakur.

The couple’s love story has struck a chord with the residents and the documentary depicts it well.

The documentary also shows how the couple started a tea stall in the Dighalipukhuri area, rent out rickshaws to earn their livelihood before they received the xilpi (artiste) pension from the state government.

Some of the songs sung by Borthakur include are Xonar kharu nelage mok, Bondhu xomoy pale amar phale, Senai moi jao, Dale dale gai kuli bulbuli, Kon xei rupobati jai, Jonbai ei beji eti deh, Agoli bahore lahori gogona, Jon dhane junaliyeh, Konman boroxire seep, and He juddha bidai. Amar phale ebar aahi jaba was the first song she sang on All India Radio in 1957.

The couple expressed their happiness at the love shown by people who came to celebrate Borthakur’s birthday.

The 200-strong audience also praised the efforts of the director for bringing out the singer’s past. “It took us three months to make the documentary,” said Hrishikesh, one of the producers.