RAHA, Nov 9 - A book titled Gopinir Kirtan, written with women devotees in mind, was released recently at a function held at the Raha Basic Training Centre.
The function was graced by a galaxy of distinguished citizens and educationists. Written by Tulu Prabha Saikia, an Assistant Teacher at Raha Adarsha Govt JB School, the book consists of ghosas and naams meant for community singing on different religious occasions.
Releasing the book, Dr Nirala Devi, Principal of the Basic Training Centre in her brief but thought-provoking speech shed light on the contents and richness of the book. She said, �Although it is a collection of ghosas and naams, it is a unique book for us, i.e., women devotees. I never thought that someone would bring out a book on folk ghosas or naams, which we have over the years heard our mothers and grandmothers sing during different rituals either at home or in the village naamghars since our childhood.�
Author of the book Tulu Prabha Saikia in her speech said, � I am not a research scholar. I collected the ghosas or refrain followed by a number of verses, called padas out of sheer reverence for Srimanta Sankaradeva.�
Diptee Devi Sharma, former Vice Principal of Raha College said, �Folk songs, traditional rites and rituals reflect a society as a whole. We often face a difficult situation when we arrange Naam-Prasanga at our home as we do not know which ghosa to sing. This book provides an insight into such occasions. I feel proud of this book and applaud the author�s hard labour.�
The author of the book was subsequently felicitated by the officials of Suryaavati Sahitya Sabha at the function. The programme ended with a vote of thanks by the author.
It may perhaps be pertinent to add here that Tulu Prabha Saikia was conferred the State Teacher�s Award in 2015 by the State Government.
