GUWAHATI, Dec 27 � Inspired by Hemanga Biswas, this artiste has been braving all hurdles to keep the Goalparia culture and its unique music alive and the mission is on and so in the words of Robert Frost he says, �miles to go before I sleep�.
Nikhilesh Baruah, the untiring man who has travelled every nook and corner of Goalpara searching for Lokgeet, is upbeat that many young artistes are showing keen interest in Goalparia Lokgeet, but he has also cautioned against remixing and fusion as that will divest the uniqueness of this music.
Interacting with media persons on Tuesday at the Guest of the Month programme at the Guwahati Press Club here, Baruah, who has been honoured with the Silpi Award, stressed the need for preservation and promotion of Goalparia culture and music as it has a distinct identity.
�Goalparia culture, the music, the folk lore, etc, is wonderful. Nothing is as soul touching as the folk music of this district,� said Baruah.
It needs to be mentioned here that Baruah is not only interested in music, he also has a penchant for writing. He has penned stories, poems and essays apart from making documentaries for DDK, Guwahati. He has donned the role of music director for Bengali films like Hirer Tukru and Nabik.
�I am grateful to Hemanga Biswas because he pointed out to me my mission in life,� recalled Baruah remembering that he woke up to the presence of a treasure trove in the form of folk music in Goalpara only because of Hemanga Biswas.
Baruah�s documentary on Pramathesh Baruah had won the best documentary honour from Prasar Bharti in 2002. Born in Gauripur, Baruah has recently completed another project on Goalparia Lokgeet and Goalparia Lok Nritya and submitted the same to DDK, Guwahati.
�Still there is a long way to go. I have collected many Lokgeet from the interior areas of Goalpara, but there are so many to be recorded. I wish the young generation would take up the work of collecting this invaluable treasure and preserve it,� said Baruah.
On the other hand, Baruah emphasized the necessity for retaining the originality of the folk music of Goalpara.
�Proper training will ensure that the originality of Goalparia music is retained. It is also important to use the traditional instruments while performing Goalparia Lokgeet,� said Baruah.
