A Tribute to Jayanta
On
The function started with a solemn emotional speech by Rini Kakati recalling her association with Rana in earlier days when he was an up and coming singer of repute. Manisha Hazarika (Mithu) paid her tribute by offering a white flower on his photograph because white was his favourite colour. She described her life with him, his commitment and dedication to music and his desire to serve the society through his Surabahini (the army of musicians).
To pay a tribute to a loved one is always painful when feelings of nostalgia and memories make one emotional. In a family of 10 siblings, Ranabhaity was the 9th in line. He was born in Mangaldoi. As a young man he was a rebel, angry at the same time shy but very determined to achieve his goal to be a musician. At times this led to feelings of frustration. He showed his first signs of musical talent by playing a mouth organ without any formal teaching.
In the late fifties, when Bhupenda returned from
The young and shy Rana later grew up to be a caring, decent human being full of wit and humour, confident, meticulous in his choice of clothes but remained humble, polite and courteous to his elders. He grew up to be a well known musician, music director of films and theatre, and a documentary maker. At this time I was thousands of miles away from home in
On a fateful day on
None of the Hazarika siblings are formally trained in music. However, equipped with a harmonium, a guitar or an accordion, Rana was able to create a tune and a vision from lyrics to compose a new song. In Ranas case, poet Nirmalprova provided that poetry of lyrical quality to combine with Ranas moods to weave through musical notes to create a memorable song sung with emotive sincerity. In some of his compositions, there are hints of extreme pain of a tormented soul. His tunes had a combination of traditional as well as western notes which were sung in his own indomitable sonorous voice with a clear distinct diction of a musical brilliance!
Our Ranabhaity Jayanta Hazarika the bohemian minstrel is no more with us but we will always remember him through his music.
May God bless him and let his departed soul REST IN PEACE
Prabin Hazarika
October 2006
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