[Assam] Ninth annual meet of Asam Sahitya Sabha UK held (The Assam Tribune, 24.08.2007)

[Buljit Buragohain]

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 year’s 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 today’s 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 Baruah’s 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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