Critics say less inclusive, Patowary defensive

mami Brahmaputra theme song

By our Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, March 23: Auni Ati Xatra Xatradhikar Pitambhar Deva Goswami today said that the theme song of mami Brahmaputra Festival released on the night of March 21 could have been made richer.
When asked for comments on the theme song, composed and set to music by Angarag Mahanta (Papon), the Xatradhikar said: “The theme song isn’t that inclusive in so far the depiction of the diverse cultures of the ethnic tribes in the State is concerned. Bhupen Hazarika’s ‘Mohabahu Brahmaputra’ creates a hallmark moment of Assam and the Mighty river the world over. Dr Hazarika wrote a number of songs on the Brahmaputra. The Brahmaputra is not just the me of a river as it depicts the diverse cultures of a tion. The word ‘Mohabahu’ alone would have made the theme song redolent with the mighty river and the culture along its basins had it been used in the lyrics of the theme song. The diverse culture of Assam would have been depicted better. The song is bereft of Dr. Hazarika’s concept on the Brahmaputra.”           
Meanwhile, in view of the controversy related to the theme song, Chandra Mohan Patowary, Minister for Transport, Industries and Commerce, today said that the controversy on the song is uncalled for since the theme song has been widely praised and appreciated across the country.
In a statement, the Minister said, “While the song has been appreciated by a majority of people, a small section has criticized it. Constructive criticism is appreciated, but ill motivated comments should not be made.”
Minister Patowary appreciated the efforts of the singer Angarag Mahanta (Papon) who has leveraged his goodwill and contacts to rope in the best of Hindi and Assamese film and music fraternity to be a part of this initiative. “All the artistes involved have contributed in this massive effort only out of goodwill and with positive approach.”
Patowary further mentioned that there are imagiry figures being circulated about the cost of the song. The expenditure on it is limited to logistic and production cost only. “We cannot demean an honest effort made with honest intentions just by spreading incorrect facts,” the Minister added. He urged the people to dissuade from controversies and criticism and appealed for their active corporation to make this festival a grand success.
The Tribal Sangha also said that the theme song failed to include the diverse cultures of diverse ethnic tribes of Assam.  It said that the video graph of the song failed to depict the vastness of the mighty river. Some of the critics are of the view that the Hindi version of the song is even worse.