Assamese writer-lyricist Gunamoni Bora conferred with Jiten Deka Memorial Award

By Prantik Deka*
The quintessential “Mor shukula ghora” is one of those enduring Assamese compositions that people of all ages continue to enjoy to this day. The peerless performer Jiten Deka, who endeared himself into the hearts of audiences through his soulful renditions, rose from a very humble background to become a major artiste of our times.
Though the singer has bid farewell to the mortal world, the unmatched passion and intensity of his music and lyrics are forever embedded in everyone's hearts. He was often praised by his peers not just for his musical talents but also because he embodied certain warmth and innocence, and generosity.
An engrossing function organised by Srotoswini – a socio-cultural organisation -- was held at the premises of Gauhati Artists’ Guild on January 26, to mark the beloved singer's 71st birthday, coinciding with the country's 75th Republic Day.
The function celebrated the singer's remarkable achievements by conferring the Jiten Deka Memorial Award 2023 to Assam's eminent writer-lyricist Gunamoni Bora, who happens to share the same birth date. Over the years, Bora's songs, rendered by a number of renowned Assamese singers, including Jiten Deka, have been a regular feature of AIR Guwahati's Geetimalika programme.
On the occasion, the special guests and celebrities who graced the occasion, including noted musician JP Das, actor and former Deputy Director General, AIR, Dinesh Das, noted singer Mridula Das, musician and former station director, AIR, Abani Pathak, noted composer Bipul Baruah, among others, celebrated the 80th birthday of Gunamoni Bora with a little cake cutting ceremony.
Popular singer Munindra Saikia paid a glowing tribute to Jiten Deka with a new song 'Ahin Oha Baat', which was released on the occasion. The song written by Jiten Deka and musically scored by Tapan Das, is beautifully rendered by Saikia. The function got going with a chorus performance based on a Jiten Deka composition performed by the members of the 'Meghbarna' group.
Jiten Deka has been an inspiration for many aspiring singers and musicians in the state. The guests spoke about their association with the artiste in addition to his illustrious musical journey.
Most importantly, Deka's compositions brought him wide appreciation among the new generation artistes, which was evident during the function as a number of talented upcoming singers enchanted the audience with their renditions of his evergreen compositions.
They were Munmi Devi, David Singha, Brisha Bharadwaj, Upasana Barman, Sanskrita Malakar, Bijuli Goswami, Pratul Goswami, Madhusmita Rabha, Jiten Deka's youngest son Sudarshan Prabir Deka.
It's heartening to see this illustrious musician being appreciated for his wonderful talents following his passing.
The function was beautifully compered by Hemanta Nath.

Comments

How community leaders overcome obstacles to protect forests and pastures in remote villages

By Bharat Dogra Dheera Ram Kapaya grew up in such poverty that, unable to attend school himself, he would carry another boy’s heavy school bag for five kilometers just to get a scoop of daliya (porridge). When he was finally able to attend school, he had to leave after class five to join other adolescent workers. However, as soon as opportunities arose, he involved himself in community efforts—promoting forest protection, adult literacy, and other constructive initiatives. His hidden talent for writing emerged during this time, and he became known for the songs and street play scripts he created to promote forest conservation, discourage child marriages, and support other social reforms.

Workers' groups condemn Gujarat Ordinance increasing working hours, warn of statewide agitation

By A Representative At a consultation organised today by the Asangathit Shramik Hit Rakshak Manch at Circuit House in Ahmedabad, leaders of major trade unions and labour rights organisations strongly opposed the Gujarat government’s recent ordinance amending the Factories Act and the draft rules notified under the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Code, 2020. Around 50 representatives from central trade unions, independent unions, and labour welfare organisations participated in the meeting.

Deaths in Chhattisgarh are not just numbers – they mark a deeper democratic crisis

By Sunil Kumar For a while, I had withdrawn into a quieter life, seeking solace in nature. But the rising tide of state-sponsored violence and recurring conflict across India has compelled deeper reflection. The recent incidents of killings in central India—particularly in Chhattisgarh—are not isolated acts. They point to a larger and ongoing crisis that concerns the health of democracy and the treatment of marginalised communities.

'Bengali Muslim migrant workers face crackdown in Gurgaon': Academic raises alarm

By A Representative Political analyst and retired Delhi University professor Shamsul Islam has raised serious concerns over the ongoing targeting and detention of Muslim migrant workers from West Bengal in Gurgaon, Haryana. In a public statement, Islam described the situation as "brutal repression" and accused law enforcement agencies of detaining migrants arbitrarily under the pretext of verifying their citizenship.

Gender violence defies stringent laws: The need for robust social capital

By Dr. Manoj Kumar Mishra* The tragic death of Miss Soumyashree Bisi, a 20-year-old student from Fakir Mohan College, Balasore, who reportedly self-immolated due to harassment, shocked the conscience of Odisha. Even before the public could process this horrifying event, another harrowing case emerged—a 15-year-old girl from Balanga, Puri, was allegedly set ablaze by miscreants. These incidents are not isolated; they highlight a disturbing pattern of rising gender-based violence across the state and the country.

The GMO illusion: Three decades of hype, harm, and false hope

By Sridhar Radhakrishnan Three decades of hype, billions of dollars spent, and still no miracle crop. It's time to abandon the GMO biotech fairy tale and return to the soil, the seed, and the farmer. “Trust us,” they said. “GMOs will feed the world.” Picture a world where there is plenty of food, no hunger, fields grow without chemical pesticides, children are saved from malnutrition, and people live healthily.

The myth of population decline: India’s real challenge is density, not fertility

By N.S. Venkataraman* India’s population in 2025 stands at approximately 1.4 billion. In 1950, it was 359 million, rising sharply to 1.05 billion by 2000. The population continues to grow and is projected to reach around 1.7 billion by 2050.

How natural and organic farming can be a key to combating the climate crisis

By Raj Kumar Sinha* On July 9, while addressing the “Sahkar Samvad” in Ahmedabad with women and workers associated with cooperatives from Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan, Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized that natural farming is essential for both our health and the health of the soil. This is a significant statement in the context of addressing the climate change crisis. Natural farming can play a crucial role in combating climate change. Also known as organic farming, it is a system of agriculture that can increase food production without harming the environment. Natural farming has the potential to reduce carbon emissions by 35% to 50%.

Indigenous Karen activist calls for global solidarity amid continued struggles in Burma

By A Representative At the International Festival for People’s Rights and Struggles (IFPRS), Naw Paw Pree, an Indigenous Karen activist from the Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG), shared her experiences of oppression, resilience, and hope. Organized with the support of the International Indigenous Peoples Movement for Self-Determination and Liberation (IPMSDL), the event brought together Indigenous and marginalized communities from across the globe, offering a rare safe space for shared learning, solidarity, and expression.

Search This Blog