Skip to content Skip to navigation

Faced with bandh calls, musicians in Assam get together for Freedom Jam

By editor |


A day that is of immense significance in the lives of every Indian. The entire country wakes up on this particular day to celebrate their state’s independence. The day is a national holiday in India and widespread jubilation is witnessed amongst people of different religion, caste and creed. Besides the government-sponsored celebrations, people from different walks of life get to together to celebrate their being Indians, when more focus is given on strengthening the bond of brotherhood rather than on fighting amongst themselves for petty differences.


The scenario in Northeast India, especially in Assam, is a bit different, with most of the people being forced to stay indoors due to the bandh diktat of the countless militant and insurgent outfits. Thanks to the bandh calls, the very essence of the day is lost and for the people it is another lazy day to while away at home as most people refrain from coming out of their homes to go to work, vehicles remaining off their roads and businessmen and traders downing their shutters. A true ‘celebration’ of our independence.


But things are slowly changing. Since last year, musicians of the city have started to celebrate the day by jamming on the city roads. Led by musicians and music lovers like Rupam, Mrinal, Aiyushman, Arzoo, David, Rabiul, Deepak and the like, the jamming session was a huge success as lots of passers-by joined the impromptu jamming session and lit candles by the roadside. The musicians got together once again this year and together they struck a chord or two to celebrate the day, much to the delight of all those who came out of their homes last Sunday evening.


Aiyushman Dutta, one of the initiators of the session and secretary of the Eastern Beats Music Society, says, “There are no big names or stars involved in the Freedom Jam session and everyone is free to join. There were no backdrops or logos and the only motive behind organizing the session was to celebrate Independence day through music. Candles are lit in the evening by the roadside and the entire act results in the creation of a very serene atmosphere, befitting the sanctity of the day.”


Rupam Bora, one of the initiators of the session, said that the number of musicians slated to participate in the session would increase this year. “Last year it was more of an impromptu session. But a number of prolific musicians, amateurs as well as simple music lovers are expected to join us this year.”


The response of the public towards the jamming session is increasing with each year. While only a handful of people could be noticed last year, thousands of people thronged the small empty pavement near Commerce College last Sunday evening to watch the performance of the musicians.




Comments

ropi's picture

Submitted by ropi on Tue, 17/08/2010 - 00:16
organise such a show against mega dams

Pages

Add new comment

Other Contents by Author

Sattriya Dance presented for the first time in the Netherlands

Milan : During the opening of 23rd Milan Festival in The Hague, on Friday, 23rd July 2007, Vedajoyti Ozah, a young talented dancer from Assam with extensive performance experience both in and outside India presented for the first time in the Netherlands the Sattriya dance of Assam. The festival was opened by the mayor of The Hague Mr. Deetman. The ambassador of India Mrs. Neelam Sabharwal was the guest of honour.Veda captivated the audience with her graceful presentation. After the performance she received invitation to perform in other cities of the Netherlands as well as in Belgium. Veda is a recipient of All India Competitive Talent Scholarship in Bharatanatyam sponsored by Ministry of...

Guwahati wins Inter District soccer title

Koliabor: Guwahati has won the 44th Junior Inter District soccer title for Santosh Lahakar Trophy. In the final held at Koliabor on Saturday they defeated Golaghat by a solitary goal.K Priya Kumar Singh gave the visitors the lead in the 51st minute to seal the fate of the match. He was also adjudged the best player of the final.Partho Chakravorty

World Bank officials visit Raha in Nagaon

Raha : World Bank officials from Nigeria Mr D Zaudu,Mr Ligachi and Dr M Patri visited the Sub-divisonal agriculture office of Raha in July 25th. They had a talk with the farmers of the locality and discussed on various agricultural issues specifically Investment of funds,Production of crops, Irrigation problem in fields etc. The Deputy Commissioner of Nagaon Dr J Balaji, Joint Director of agriculture and Divisonal Head Md Abdul Mannan also, apart from the officials, attended the meeting.

Zubeen Garg and several organizations come together to create awareness of preserving wildlife in Kaziranga

Guwahati: Zubeen Garg is set to join other organizations to create awareness to save animals in Kaziranga National Park (KNP).KNP has been declared as a world Heritage site by the UNESCO. KNP has always faced a problem of poaching and especially this year the numbers have been alarming as nine rhinos have been already killed till date. Moreover, many animals are killed due to accidents in the NH – 37 when they cross the highway to move to the safety of the hills especially in the monsoons. Sometimes the villagers also kill animals when they come out of their shelters due to floods.Zubeen will attend four awareness meetings at Kohora, Burapahar, Kuthari and Bokakhat on 1st of August....

Two ANLA militants including self styled commander arrested in Bokakhat

Bokakhat : Karbi Anglong police arrested two ANLA actvists from Bokakhat on Friday evening. They have been identified as Rishard Tirki and Rupa Mardi of Bokolia Molestbasti.Tirki is the self styled commander of the Adivashi Militant outfit.

Two ULFA militants arrested for plans to destabilize Independence Day celebrations in Guwahati

Guwahati : City Police have arrested two ULFA militants in Guwahati on Friday for plans to destabilize the Independence Day celebrations. The arrested militants have been identified as Mushhary Siphung and Uday Das. In a joint operation conducted by the Police,para military and the CRPF,the two militants were arrested from Garobasti under Dispur Police Station. 3 bombs with cordex wire, 1 PTED switch and 2 detonators have been recovered from them.

All Assam Hills Tribal Council, a NGO forms its Sonitpur Unit

Tezpur : On 25th July,2007 All Assam Hills Tribal Council had organised a meeting in Sonitpur District in village Missamari. Benudhar Tumung, President and Nripen Ingti General Secretary of All Assam Hills Tribal Council was present in the meeting. In the meeting the Sonitpur District Committee has form to work for the Hills People living in plains. The new unit was formed with Chikari Terang as President and Sarching Teron as General Secretary. All Assam Hills Tribal Council is Non Government, non religious, non political organisation. The Head Office is at Guwahati. The Organisation is working for the upliftment of Hills people living in Plains.

Bird Flu in Imphal: Assam Government bans import of Poultry

Guwahati / Imphal: Assam Government has banned the import of poultry from the neighboring states after laboratory tests confirmed the outbreak of bird flu in Manipur.Laboratory tests conducted on 144 dead poultry confirmed the presence of HBIN virus. This was detected in a suburb of Imphal. The government of Manipur has already started taking precautionary measured to prevent the flu from multiplying.The department of poultry and livestock in Assam has swung into action and has ordered all border posts to be alert and ban illegal trade. They have also asked for sample tests to be conducted in border areas.

Black Widow in action against Security Personnel.

Haflong: Fierce fighting broke out between the Black Widow extremists and security personnel in Semkhor near Maibong around 44 Kilometers from Halflong on Thursday. The 72 field regiment and the Maibong police recovered a Rocket Launcher and an AK 47 rifle after an encounter that lasted around 20 minutes. The extremists however managed to escape. Juwel Garlocha is the Chief of Black Widow which is anti talk faction of Dima Halom Daga, a Dimasa militant outfit

Hatigaon ( Dispur) Police Station officer in charge suspended for contempt of Court

Guwahati: City Superintendent of Police has suspended Mr Utpal Das officer in charge of Hatigaon out post under Dispur Police Station. The city SSP was forced to suspend him as a lower court has issued a non bailable warrant against him for contempt of court. The contempt of court case has been slapped against him as he was not following the courts instructions in an earlier case related to a land dispute.