The high point of the album Tarali ? Songs of a Star ? is the enchanting Kakuti of Nammghosha, authored by the saint Mahapurush Madhavdeva. But the other eight numbers fail to live up to expectations, as far as melody and freshness of modern music are concerned.

Kakuti is a sort of humble plea made by the great Vaishnavite saints, Mahapurush Sankardeva and his illustrious disciple Mahapurush Madhavdeva.

It is extensively used in Nakiya Bhaona, the classical Vaishnavite plays written in Brazaboli verse.

A Kakuti bears the tragic essence often used to express Bhakti Rasa in Ankiya Bhaona. Tarali Sarma’s brilliant rendering of Kimote Bhokoti Koribo Tomake is an outstanding tribute to the great Vaishnavite saints.

It is no wonder that this number fetched the shy, introverted, soft-spoken and immensely talented Tarali the national award for best female playback singer in the National Film Awards, 2004. Tarali had lent her voice to this song in Manju Bora’s acclaimed film Akashitorar Kothare.

Of the eight other songs in the album, Tarali has composed five.

One could not disagree that all eight numbers are of contrasting quality and essence. For instance, while the second number Chenai Mur Chenai is something of a damp squib, the third, Kolija Kolija Bihureno Botorot penned by talented poet Saurabh Saikia stands out for its rich romanticism and lilting melody.

Tarali scores high in the number Tumi Dibou Nowora Sonare Kharu which she has written and composed herself. The use of the santoor and violin lifts the song from a somewhat ordinary musical pattern, giving it a certain freshness.

The title song of the popular Assamese television serial Megh Rodalir Khel also figures in the album.

Commendable efforts of a group of extremely talented musicians have gone into the creation of the album. Tabla player Paban Bordoloi, flautist Kailash Rabha and Deepak Sharma and violinist Manoj Barua are the prominent musicians who have left their mark on the album. The music has been arranged by Pulak.

Tarali’s voice has touched the hearts of thousands of music lovers in Assam. She has also established herself as one of the most sensitive music directors of Assamese cinema.

She made her debut as music director in Manju Bora’s national award winning film Akashitorar Kothare.

She has also scored the music for Bora’s latest film Laaj which was invited to film festivals across India and Bangladesh.

The album has been produced by Saraswati Communication ? a firm which enjoys a good reputation in the audio-visual arena for quality productions.

Its earlier production, Nayanmoni, a video CD, earned great popularity and got rave reviews in Assam. Two other audio albums of Saraswati Productions, Tarali Sarmar Shrestha Geet and Borgeet were also highly appreciated. Tarali ? Songs of a Star, is Saraswati Communications’ latest enchanting gift to the multi-talented singer’s fans.

Tarali ? Songs of a Star stands out among the ordinary fare served to music lovers in the state, as an above- average album.

Rong Sarmah