Octogenarian Music Maestro Sisir Kumar Suni

Music legend of undivided Darrang (presently Darrang, Udalguri and Sonitpur) Sisir Kumar Suni is now 84 years old being confined to his home only.He is still optimistic about systemic research and practice of traditional folk culture of Assam in their original style.Although forgotten by present day singers and producer directors of Assamese music world,Suni still busy with his never ending musical activities alone in his home at sleepy Bengbari just five KM away from Tangla town.Age could have restricted his bodily movements,but his talent and spirit still busy looking for new ideas.It had been his effort that Bodo folk dance "Kherai" was performed on stage for the first time during 1955."Kherai" dance had never been performed on a stage till then.He was also the first music director of Bodo modern song broad caste through All India Radio Guwahati in 1977.

Sisir Suni will always be remembered as the founder of Bodo Musical Notation in Assam.He was the person involved with the book "Gwthang Denkhw" published in 1994.He also composed notation on Kamrupi Lokageet in a book "Sodomsri" published from Barama in 1995.Suni composed more than hundred songs which have already been published in books namely-'Jaydhwani', 'Palas Phular Botarote','Denkwo Bidang','Gwdan Denkhwani Methai', 'Swrang Lama', 'Bodo Bhajan' etc.He composed Assamese Notation of modern songs,Jyoti Sangeet,Rabha Sangeet,Bhupendra Sangeet,Kamrupi folk songs,Bihu songs etc and also have trained many students in his lifetime.Preffering to keep a very low profile,this octogenarian music maestro has now been living alone at Bengbari in Udalguri district.He is never angry with anybody nor had any complaints.He loves to play violin most although he has mastery over other musical instruments namely-Spanish Guitar,Hawain Guitar,Mandolin, Piano, Organ,Accordion etc.Suni had been a close associate of Bishnu Rabha,who had been a regular visitor to his house at Bengbari during early days when Kalaguru had been underground.Sisir Kumar Suni was born on 20 November in 1932 at Bengbari.He was the eldest son of Dr.James Suni and singer Giribala Suni.Completing primary education at Bengbari LP School,he joined Bengbari Mission School in 1942.He eastblished Bengbari ME School in association with late Nabin Chandra Medhi,Mouzadar of Harisinga Mouza.Also offered to work as an Hony Asstt. teacher.While talking to media persons Suni expressed unhappiness at the present day status of Assamese ethnic folk song and dances."If not preserved with notation all will be lost in the midst of remix culture",he said.He was also critical of government policy towards singers,actors and musicians."Anybody with Radio and TV background gets government recognition leaving behind genuine artists", he said.He mentioned Dr.Nirmal Prabha Bordoloi, Mukul Barua and Pulak Banerjee as his most favourite artists of Assam.Unfortunately,even after so much of his contribution to Assamese music society,Sisir Suni is yet to receive government pension or recognition.