Noted folk singer KP Bhattacharjee remembered in Silchar

SILCHAR: Commemorating the 51st birth anniversary of renowned folk singer, Kalika Prasad Bhattacharjee as 'Loko Songhoti Divos' with strict adherence to COVID protocols, a programme was organised by the Regional Office of Information and Public Relations, Barak Valley Zone under the aegis of the District Administration, Cachar at Gandhi Bhawan here on Saturday.

District Development Commissioner, Cachar, Rajiv Roy presided over the function. MLA, Silchar, Dipayan Chakrabarty graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.

At the outset, all the dignitaries present were felicitated on the occasion followed by lighting of lamp.

Floral tributes were paid at the portrait of the eminent folk artiste by MLA, Chakrabarty, other distinguished guests, artistes and government employees.

Addressing the gathering MLA, Chakrabarty said, "Today I take this opportunity to pay my tribute to late Kalika Prasad Bhattacharjee, a versatile folk singer, researcher and song archivist all rolled into one, who was born and brought up in Silchar".

Elaborating on the activities of late Bhattacharjee, Chakrabarty said, "Music, rhythm and tune were an intrinsic part of his growing years with his musical inspiration being his uncle late Ananta Bhattacharjee. He took the tabla as naturally as he learnt to walk and was gradually propelled towards various ethnic percussions and also trained in vocal music".

"His keen interest in music eventually led him towards the folk music of Bengal and Bangladesh, Barak Valley in Assam and North East India, and the search for traditional vibrant, melodious folk songs. In 1999 he co-founded the band called 'Dohar', a group of folk musicians with the intent to revive the folk music tradition of northern and eastern Bengal and unnoticed folk songs flowing from time immemorial in order to reach out to innumerable people through the albums produced by his band."

"He also steered many television reality shows like SA RE GA MA PA and got worldwide acclamation. We lost him in a terrible road accident on 7th March, 2017. He was a creative thinking personified. His passing is a big loss to Bengali music , However, our government has taken the initiative to observe 11th September, his birthday, as 'Loko Songhoti Divos'. I shall extend all possible help to make the occasion a grand success in the coming years", Chakrabarty quipped.

Other distinguished guests, Dr Amalendu Bhattacharjee, retired professor, Makbul Bari, Nikhil Paul, Subrata Bhattacharjee, District BJP president Bimalendu Roy, Nandiini Chakraborty, elder sister of late Kalika Prasad Bhattacharjee and renowned singer Mitali Das also spoke on the occasion.

Earlier, Incharge Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations, Barak Valley Zone, Silchar, Sajjadul Haque Chowdhury explained the purpose and significance of the day.

As part of the programme, selected songs of Bhattacharjee were relayed over the fixed loud speakers in the morning and evening hours.

Artistes from different cultural organisations of Silchar rendered popular songs of the noted artiste as a mark of tribute to him.

The 51th birth anniversary of the legendary folk artiste was also observed in the Offices of District Information and Public Relations, Karimganj and Hailakandi.

Minister for Environment & Forest, Fisheries and Excise, Parimal Shuklabaidya also paid tribute to the popular folk artiste. Taking to twitter handle, Shuklabaidya said, "Remembering the legendary Bengali folk music singer Kalika Prasad Bhattacharjee on his 51st birth anniversary which is being observed as Loko Songhoti Divos in Assam.

"The popular folk artiste was credited with infusing folk elements in new form in Bengali music. Besides popularising folk songs of rural Bengal among the present generation in the albums of his band 'Dohar', he had also lent his voice in films like Jaatishwar (2014), Moner Manush (2010) and Bhuban Majhi (2017)."

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