On June 26th, 2008, Nehru Centre, the cultural Wing of the High Commission of India in London presented a stunning confluence of semi-classical of violin recital “jugalbandi” with Minoti Khaund, the award winning violin maestro whose musical career spanning 50 years and her daughter Sunita Bhuyan, the recipient of the Indira Gandhi Priyadarshini award for music and has been giving performances both solos and duets with her mother on the world stage.
Sunita is one of the few musicians who balances a full time HR career along with her inherited passion for music. She is the Head of Learning and Development at Syntel, a global ITES company which entails her to train managers on leadership and all round development.
The function was inaugurated by Monika Kopil Mohta, Director and Minister of Culture. She spoke highly about the art and culture of North-East and welcome the invited guest artists of Assam: Minoti Khaund & Sunita Bhuyan.
Sunita Bhuyan in her speech conveyed her gratitude to the Director for giving them the opportunity to perform at this prestigious venue. She also thanked Rini Kakati, a prominent lady of the Assamese community who is instrumental to make this possible.
Both mother & daughter held the audience in complete thrall with their performance of jugalbandi in what was a fitting finale to the long list of cultural activities at the Nehru Centre. Virtues of simplicity and grace that made both Minoti & Sunita the most enchanting artist of the musical world of Assam, showed up in ample evidence during the performance by the yesteryear Assamese sensation.
The evening was started by raag Hanswadhani in Rupak and Teental. The Teental composition was an old and popular Khyal “Laagi Lagana”. This item resulted in the jhala crescendo which left audience spellbound. The next item was a scintillating light classical piece called Bharat Darshan. This had various folk tunes from different parts of India with a special piece of Assamese Bihu.
The grand finale was rendition of Vande Matarm: a superb vocal presentation of the powerful lyrics by Sunita. The audience were moved and became emotional. The duo were accompanied by well-known tablist from Bangladesh: Yusuf Ali Khan. The Asian & European audiences were overwhelmed by the performance and expressed that they had enjoyed the evening as a memorable one.
The invited guest of honour was Lord Dholakia & Lady Ann, Madhava Chandra, the minister representing the Indian High Commission, Jahnu Barua, the well-known film producer & director of Assam. In a traditional Assamese way, the dignitaries were felicitated with phulam gamosa.
In his closing speech Lord Dholakia mentioned about the richness of the north-east especially Assam and the importance of showcasing unity in cultural diversity. He mentioned his fruitful visit to Assam in the year 2005. As a state guest he was invited by Tarun Gogoi, Hounr’ ble Chief Minister of Assam to inaugurate the North-East NRI Convention at Guwahati organised by NECCI (North East Chamber of Commerce & Industry). He praised Minoti & Sunita specially the mother for her tremendous effort to train Sunita not only in violin but also a vocalist. Their next performance surely will be at the House of Lords. Lord Dholakia promised.
The jugalbandi performance was given a standing ovation by the huge audience when they played at the Hindu Cultural Centre, London on 14th June, 2008
The Milapfest of Manchester and Nottingham Arts Council slot were on hold due to Sunita’s busy schedule and other commitment. They have invited both artists to perform at the festival in the year 2009.
Minoti Khaund is an inspiration and her flawless performance is a silent but forceful message for all our upcoming violinist to follow.
PermalinkSubmitted by TLANG ROKHUMA on Wed, 16/07/2008 - 17:29
Dearest Sunita.
I am proud you. You are my Great Indian Musician idol. I also remember Film Festival in Mumbai in 2007, you are the guest there.
I hope one day your show will be in Mizoram.
Bye,
Mr.Rokhuma, Artist
Aizawl, Mizoram
PermalinkSubmitted by diana mavroleon on Thu, 17/07/2008 - 01:45
Hello Sunita,
Yes, this definitely conjures up the enthralled audience of the Nehru Centre that night of your concert; great that the pieces are listed also. The centre has become my 'University of lndia' and l am spreading the word amongst artists here in London, none of whom seem to know anything about it! l feel so lucky to have found it.
Best wishes to your Mother and to yourself and good luck with all the projects,
Diana x
******
PermalinkSubmitted by jul on Wed, 24/06/2009 - 08:16
hi ba,
how ru? i know, you stay here in powai, mumbai. longing to see you. wonder, if you would recognize me. m, pankaja (jul), sister of konkana(konki). we studied in LFS, dibrugarh. know you since than. i met your mom in my weddding last year (nov 23rd 2008, guwahati). infact, my husband abhineet(sanju) know your family very well. we both received the blessings from your grand mom, too. we stay in poonam nagar, mumbai. really look forward to meet you.
lots of love.
jul
Over 300 youths marched through the streets of Sivasagar town on Wednesday to protest government failure to take action on the army jawan involved in the recent molestation in Demow. Baring their pants, the young protesters representing 22 organizations marched through the streets of the town. Later they held a meeting outside the Deputy Commissioner's office. They were joined by hundreds of bystanders. Then they were stopped from entering the DC's office premises by police personnel who set up barricades. The organizations include ATASU, TMPK, AASU, AJYCP, KMSS) and Brihattar Asomiya Parishad. They said that they would continue the agitation programme till all till the demands are met.
The CPI(M) has accused Dispur of a huge failure in firmly dealing with the situation to stop escalating violence in Assam. It asked the government to take immediate steps to restore law and order. In a statement, the called the failure a monumental one of the Congress-led Government.
Delhi on Wednesday directed Dispur to nab the ring leaders involved in ethnic clash in BTAD areas. Further, it ruled out a Bangladeshi hand in the entire episode where 42 people lost their lives. According to Union Home Secretary R K Singh, 2,000 central security personnel have been deputed to guard Guwahati-bound trains and railway tracks which were disrupted.Singh said that the international border is sealed and that it was impossible for any intruders to foment trouble from across the border. Around 2,500 paramilitary personnel have reached Assam to assist the local administration.
In a bid to bring the situation under control in Kokrajahr, Chirang and Dhubri, the Centre is all prepared to talk to the leaders of the both warring factions. According t sources, two senior home ministry officials are all set to hold talks with the Bodo leaders and minority leaders on Wednesday or Thursday in Dhubri and Kokrajhar. Around 1,500 more paramilitary personnel have been rushed in with orders to shoot at sight.
Around 1,50,000 people fled their homes at the height of the group clash after it erupted on Friday last. The displaced people, mostly, have taken shelter in government schools and buildings. Over 10,000 people in these trouble torn districts have escaped to neighbouring West Bengal. Trucks carrying essential supplies are remaining stranded halfway.
In Guwahati, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi held a meeting of government officials, including the chief secretary, to monitor the situation.
In the continuing orgy of violence, 6 more people were killed taking the death toll to 41 in Kokrajhar and Chirang districts on Wednesday. Kokrajhar district administration has relaxed curfew from 8 in the morning to 12 noon. But only to be reimposed indefinitely. Curfew has also been extended indefinitely in Chirang and Dhubri districts.With 13,000 troops, army staged flag march in Kokrajhar, Chirang, Dhubri and Bongaigaon district in presence of a magistrate.
An all party delegation of the Assam legislative assembly is on a stock taking visit to Kokrajhar on Wednesday.Indefinite curfew is still in force in some parts of Dhubri and Chirang. Army and Para military forces have intensified patrolling in the violence hit districts. Union Home Secretary R.K. Singh had earlier said that he has been in continuous touch with the Chief Secretary and the Assam Director General of Police.
The orgy of violence ravaging three districts of lower Assam spreads to the Bengal border. Thousands of people from scores of villages are fleeing to safer places in West Bengal during the last couple of days. Around 1,500 more paramilitary personnel have been deployed in Kokrajhar, Chirang and Dhubri districts with shoot at sight orders. More than 1 lakh people have been displaced. These displaced people, mostly, shifted to 55 relief camps. The Army staged a flag march on Wednesday morning in Dhubri, Kokrajhar, Chirang and Bongaigaon, the first since violence began four days ago.
The Army on Wednesday began flag marches in a bid to ring the situation under control. Moreover, night curfew are still in force three days after it was clamped to control the situation. Tensions between Bodos and Muslims over control of land and settlements have been simmering for a long time. The violence has spread to 400 villages in the Bodoland Territorial Administered Districts.
Violence spreads diabolic tentacles in five lower Assam districts killing at least 38 besides displacing around 1 lakh people till Wednesday. Four more people were killed in two incidents of shoot outs in Chirang district taking up the death toll to 40. There are reports of fresh incidents in both the districts where hundreds of abandoned houses were burnt down in scores of villages in Kokrajhar, Chirang and Dhubri districts. It was learnt that Meghalaya governor RS Mushahary’s native village was also not spared.
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