Ninth annual meet of Asam Sahitya Sabha UK held
GUWAHATI, Aug 23 A Scottish countryside hall in Carluke, South Lanarkshire
was filled with the festive atmosphere of Scottish bagpipe and Assamese song
and dance recently, when Asam Sahitya Sabha UK (ASSUK) the torchbearer of
Assamese literature and culture in the UK had its annual general meeting and
cultural evening with zeal and enthusiasm on invitation by Anima Sharma and
Nirala Baruah on behalf of the Scottish members. It was another great success
story that in the last nine years of its inception, ASSUK had been able to
organise its annual event in England, Wales and Scotland with great success.
This years event was also of no exception; with a great attendance of people
from the US in particular Alpana and Ram Sarangapani, Europe, Assam, and from
the UK. The event was partly funded by South Lanarkshire Council, Strathclyde
Police and Henna Ladies Club of Glasgow. That itself was great unity in
diversity.
The afternoon session began with a Scottish bagpipe player, Jim Donnechy,
ushering in the president and the executive committee/trustees to the dais.
The Sabha flag was hoisted by Anil Ranjan Barthakur. He reminded the gathering
how glorious was their beautiful motherland was in the distant past and invited
every one to stand united under the flag and draw inspiration and genuine
strength from their glorious past and imbibe their fore fathers bright
qualities of life, light and energy to lift up the position of Ai Asom. This
was the highest status of the world when people will bow down to her with
respect.
The opening song Siro senehi mor bhaxa janani was sung in chorus before Nirala
Baruah welcomed the gathering thanking the patronage of South Lanarkshire
Council, Strathclyde Police and Henna Ladies Club.
Gagon Hazarika, the president, welcomed the audience and said that literature
and culture could bring about a sense of unity and solidarity in todays
volatile world. They are concerned about slowing the development process by the
impasse between authority and the insurgent groups in the north east of India
and the vexed problem of illegal infiltration. He urged the parties concerned
to work out an acceptable solution in order that peace and prosperity returns.
Among other things he said that translation literature has a very important
role to play; he was happy that the magazine Yatra being published from
Guwahati an unique venture to present before the world the treasure of
contemporary Assamese literature.
Lahori Barthakur, the vice-president, stated that we must think of a way to
protect, preserve and enhance our language and culture here in the UK, leaving
behind our past, look forward with a positive attitude and work together for
the benefit of our homeland. She also chanted a prayer from Rig Veda for World
Peace. Manjira Chowdhury, the secretary explained ASSUKs activities and
solicited support from everyone and stressing if the diaspora were to maintain
its roots wherever they were, the authorities at home should encourage and
sponsor talented people as ambassadors to update and spread the rich literature
and culture. Karuna Sagar Das invited non members to join ASSUK, Tarun Kumar
Chowdhury spoke about the political instability in Assam which is holding back
the economic and social development, and Nilmoni Sikdar spoke about unity. Roy
Hilldrup one of the distinguished guests praised ASSUK that it may be a small
organisation but with a noble mission of peace and
prosperity that have spelled out clearly. Prof Nilima Bhagabati from Guwahati
focussed on the prevailing situation of Assam soliciting support for the
disadvantaged section of the people.
There were recitations of poems by Nirala Baruah, Surobhi Lahon, Mayapee
Chowdhury-Hilldrup; Shankar Sharma and Manjira Chowdhury - poems by Probin
Hazarika.
A quiz on Assam was conducted by Manjira Chow-dhury and ASSUK executive was
pleased to accept the invitation with thanks from Karuna Sagar and Arundhuti
Das to hold the next 10th AGM in Bradford.
After a tea break facilitating mingling among the people, the cultural evening
started with Rudra Baruahs song Aaami Axomorey jiyori o by ASSUK ladies
wearing colourful mekhela sadars. Songs were sung by local artistes Puspa
Hazarika, Mayapee Chowdhury- Hilldrup, Surobhi Lahon, Dilip Baishya, Kumud
Sharma and Gitanjali and Namrata Kakati from Guwahati and Scottish and Irish
dances by Scottish lasses Rebecca, Karen, Allison and Hanna, from Carluke, Bihu
dance by Nirala Baruah were highly entertaining. The highlight of the evening
was Anjan Barthakur from Guwahati who played a medley of songs on his harmonica
(mouth organ), Ralf Kempuis from Germany on vibraphone, Manoj Baruah from
Guwahati on violin, Rishi Chowdhury from Leicester on tabla with their
compositions and medley of songs kept the audience spell bound and created an
atmosphere like a concert hall.
This high standard entertainment came to an end with a vote of thanks offered
by Manjira Chowdhury to the audience from distant places, Tom McCabe, Member of
Scottish Parliament (MSP), Asha Mallik of Henna Ladies Club, Supdt Alex
McDonald, Sgt. Robert Young and Officer Bhaskar Baruah of Strathclyde Police
for their material support, all artistes who took part from various parts of
the world, Anima and Samudra Sharma, Nirala Baruah, Krishna and Jitten Dutta,
Purobi and Jagdish Sharma, Nilu and Liakot A Hazarika, Shankar Sharma, Geeta
Sikdar, Arundhati Das and after the Assamese national anthem O mor aponar des
sung in chorus a sumptuous dinner was served.
(The Assam Tribune,24.08.2007)
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