Noted musician of Assam and tabla player Surjya Goswami, who was a close companion of music legends Dr Bhupen Hazarika (Bhupen da) and Jayanta Hazarika for many years, is hopeful and positive about the future of music in the State.
Goswami, while talking to North East Now, on Friday afternoon here at Zebra Force, a pioneer socio-cultural organization, on the sidelines of the foundation day celebration of the organization said, “I used to visit many places across the State as a jury member in different musical contests and I am very delighted to say that in most the places in Assam including Mangaldai, Biswanath Chariali, etc. there is abundance of talented young artistes,” adding, “So, I am very much positive about the future of the music in Assam.”
However, to enlighten the young artistes in the national music industry, the need to be properly nurtured and groomed for which the government should come forward to set up musical institutions in small towns with the cooperation of local socio-cultural organizations (like Zebra Force), maintained Goswami.
Earlier, the noted table player interacted with young artistes participating in the district level Jyoti Sangeet contest organised on the occasion. Surjya Goswami along with Jibendra Mohan Deva Sarma, a prominent singer and composer, and Gautam Sarma, noted lyricist, journalist and singer performed as the members of jury to judge the musical contest.
Drimli Kashyap was adjudged as the best contestant in the senior category followed by Raktotpal Barua and Anurag Krishnatreya as the second and third best contestants respectively.
Monmita Sibam, Pristha Sarma and Chayanika Phukan all were selected for judges’ special awards. Similarly, in the junior category, Kangakana Kalita emerged as the best contestant whereas Himakesh Sandillya and Debo Kanya Kashyap bagged the second and the third positions respectively.
Out of the total of 65 contestants, Jonak Nibir Kashyap, Dhrubanga Goswami , Anuska Sarma , Aaditi Sarma and Gargi Nath all were adjudged for the judges’ special award. All these winners will be awarded with cash prize and certificates in the closing ceremony of the celebration on Monday afternoon.
Earlier on the day, a district level drawing contest was organised among the students in the memory of distinguished artist and painter late Sarat Ch Sarma in three different categories where more than one hundred young painters participated.