Tribute to the legend of love and art

I was a young kid, studying in Lower Primary School, way back in 1965. I heard the melodious song 'Chennai Moi jaw dei .....' by Dipali Baidew in the Assamese language (Padmashree Dipali Barthakur) in the very early morning of a marriage ceremony of my neighbour, the time of leaving the bride's home. That is like a custom that this song must display at the time of leaving the bride after finishing all rituals of a marriage.

What reminds me today the melody of the song that I heard during my childhood, is today her bridegroom left heavenly in the same tradition as the bride, keeping heartfelt memories to art lovers. It is a great loss for us that today we lost our most beloved Neelpaban da, the great Artist of Assam, a true symbol of love and art.

1976, I just entered the Pre University of Cotton College. One fine evening I could discover a small one-room cottage, improperly maintained at the look in the premises of Judge's Field, Guwahati. Still, I feel the thrill of entering the room, full of marvellous creations of Art in different modes. A few artists from Guwahati came there to make their feelings of mind into the canvas and other materials with their inborn talents. Neelpaban da, the leader of the group, and I was spellbound to see his creations. That is the first day I met Neelpaban da, almost 44 years back.

Neelpaban da having a true Artist's look, with Charminar in his lips, creates such an art, that speaks on its own. Dipali Baidew expresses this through her melodious voice and Neelpaban da expresses it through his magical arts. And now both remain in our hearts as a 'True symbol of Love'.

1986, being the cultural secretary of Gauhati Medical College Junior Doctors Association, I with my few friends visited his farm-like house at Beltola (Neelpaban da told us that he has given a name of his cottage, but couldn't recollect, where both the love pair dwelling) to invite him to inaugurate our cultural program.

These are my sweet memories with Neelpabanda and Dipali Barthakur Baidew.

In between in 2016, the CC'76 batch (Cotton College 76 batch) made an effort to give some financial support to them by reproducing one great artwork of Neelpabanda and selling it among the members of the group (as seen in the photographs).

Again the great tune 'Chennai moi jaw dei…'.singing in my ear today and hope to be always...' Om Shanti'...

– Dr Bhabajyoti Bora

IMS, SVU, Gajraula, UP

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