Barak multilingual music festival begins

 Special correspondent

 SILCHAR, Jan 30: The two-day Barak multilingual music festival began today in Gandhi Bhawan auditorium here. The festival kicked off with invocation to Goddess of Learning, Saraswati, which was followed by the lighting of the auspicious lamp by distinguished persolities. Bipra Jyoti Purkayastha, secretary of the festival committee, at the outset, welcomed the assembled invitees and the participants in the event and explained the objective behind the holding of such musical extravaganza. He said artists not only of this valley but also from other parts of the state are taking part in it.

Purkayastha added that since its formation in 2013, the Sangeet Mela Committee has been organizing the festival every year. This is the third edition and he expressed his satisfaction with the response of the music lovers and admirers of this town. He touched upon the key message of peace, harmony and unity that the festival participated by the artists of various linguistic groups wants to convey. The growing response from different linguistic groups is an indication of the acceptance of the festival among the people in general.

 Speaking on the occasion as guest of honour, Taimur Raja Choudhury, editor of Samayik Prasanga and president of Barak Upatyaka Banga Sahitya O Sanskriti Sammelan, appreciated the noble efforts of the Sangeet Mela Committee and said it is commendable to bring the artists of different linguistic groups on one platform. This will strengthen both social and cultural bond. In fact, this valley is like an anthropological museum with 16 tribal and a good number of non-tribal communities, retaining their own distinctive cultural tradition and heritage. The mela committee has taken up the most challenging task of keeping the tradition and culture of this valley alive and vibrant.

 Bhabani Chakraborty, social activist and president of Sanghamitra Club, was all praise for the initiative and drive of the Sangeet Mela Committee for organizing such a multilingual and multicultural assembly.

This would provide opportunity to artists participating in the festival to showcase their talent and merit. The young artists will also take advantage of it in order to cultivate and nurture their latent talent in music.

 Subimal Bhattacharjee, a distinguished persolity, said he was happy to see the assembly of music lovers and participants in such a large number. He expressed his hope and confidence that with their melodious songs and tunes the artists would keep the audiences enthralled.