In quest of protest culture in music

Singers, lyricists and critics agreed on Monday that the voice of simmering protest fails to proliferate in the Assamese music.

Panelist in a discussion on “Turning into Literature: Music and Literature” on the last day of Guwahati Lit Fest, the panelists said that the call for protest against the major incidents of injustice seems to have been declining after Dr Bhupen Hazarika.

Renowned singer Loknath Goswami said that Assamese music has been lagging behind Manipur in terms of the voice of protest on the burning issues. Protest is yet to be a full fledged culture in Assamese music, he observed.

Manipur singer Akhu who was one of the panelists deplored that even a Dimasa guy who has voice of protest in a number of English lyrics is not much known within Assam.

Prolific writer Mitra Phukan, who moderated the discussion agreed with some of the panelists and audience that voice of protest is required in Assamese lyrics.

But in the same breath, she said that lyricist and performing artists must have a clear cut commitment.