Rani Pal being felicitated by Harendra Nath Borthakur. Picture by Eastern Projections

Rani Paul. The name may not ring a bell in the minds of the new generation of music lovers, but she was among the leading singers of the state who brought in freshness to Assamese music during the Forties and Fifties.

Paul, an immensely talented vocalist, was born in Shillong and spent her youth in Calcutta. During that period she came in contact with cultural icons like Bishnu Prasad Rabha and Purushottam Das. Under their guidance, she added a new dimension to the style of rendition of modern Assamese songs. At present, she lives a reclusive life in Shillong and has been out of the public eye for nearly three decades.

Jana Sanksritik Parishad recently felicitated her with a musical soiree. Organised at the Guwahati Press Club on June 19, the programme also included a lecture by noted thinker Udayaditya Bharali on the relevance of the ideals of Bishnu Prasad Rabha among the contemporary youth of Assam.

After Rani Paul’s felicitation in traditional Assamese style, noted singers Loknath Goswami and Manajyotsna Mahanta Goswami presented a series of Paul’s memorable numbers.

Of these, mention must be made of Jonbaair deshote saajim daaon, Ekhoni toraare jolaaye chaaki by Manajyotsna. This number, penned and composed by Purushottam Das, was one of Paul’s hits during the Forties.

Manajyotsna, with her own distinctive style, brought in a nostalgic flavour. She presented the song with utmost passion and praiseworthy control over tune and rhythm.

However, the unforge-ttable moment for the audience was when Paul herself sang another superhit number, Baanor jiyori kaande maaj raati he. She was assisted by Loknath Goswami in the rendition.

Goswami’s command over the base voice and his capability to express the inner essence of the lyrics made the presentation enchanting.

Goswami rendered another popular Paul number, Kaarengor podulit bokul daalot pori binaai bonore pokhi. This one, too, tugged at the heartstrings of the audience with its rich musical components.