Artistes perform Goalpariya dance in Guwahati on Saturday. Picture by Eastern Projections

Tomraa Geile Ki Aasiben... a programme on Goalpariya folk song and dance, organised by cultural forum, Khilonjiyaa, in memory of Pratima Barua Pandey, enthralled the audience at Rabindra Bhawan in Guwahati on July 3.

A children’s chorus of the folk number, Baaro Maase Tero Phul Phote... set the ball rolling for a feast of Goalpariya folklore.

Prof. G.C. Pandey, husband of the illustrious folk singer and guest of honour, lit the lamp and paid floral tribute to the late Pratima Barua Pandey.

Prof. Pandey’s silent but relentless support behind numerous creative pursuits of the folk singer was highlighted on the occasion, which was another unusual aspect of the sombre cultural evening.

The main attraction of the evening was the recital by singer Baby Bhuyan, who has two albums of Goalpariya folk songs to her credit.

Bhuyan began her recital with the evergreen number Tomraa Geile Ki Aasiben Mor Maahut Bandhure...

With Bhuyan’s voice quality having an uncanny resemblance with the legendary singer, the number infused a sense of nostalgia among the audience.

Of the four other renditions dished out by Bhuyan that evening, a group of little girls performed to the tunes of Bhaalo Koriya Baajao Re Dotaaraa... while another group joined her in the marriage song, Gulapeere Shipe Sindur...

Bhuyan presented the last number, Sukh Dukh Kopaale Lekhaa... that was a chorus, along with a group of over 30 young children, which proved to be a rare experience for the audience.

Four folk dance items presented in the evening were Goalini Nritya, Kushan Nritya, Sonarai Nritya and Padma Puran.

The items, presented by the artistes from Goalpara, kept the gathering spellbound.

Another significant aspect of the evening was a felicitation ceremony of artistes.

Dedicated artistes of Goalpariya folk music were honoured with cash awards and other items, for their contribution to the genre.

The artistes comprised Sudhi Chandra Rai, Bhoisal Rai Bain (posthumously), Budu Bain, Jatindra Rai and Sitanath Rai.