Music of Assam:

Like different simple and social groups, music in Assam is also varied. While different groups have developed, their own style of vocal intonation along with creation of musical instrument typical to their distinctive ways of life. In the 15^th Century formal and  systematic music with all its associated dimensions was given shape by Srimanta Sankardeva and his apostles. From the early 19^th Century onwards the  Folk musical genius of Assam have been systematize. Ballads, songs, and the other numbers created by unknown geniuses which have taken deep roots, began to be methodically preserved during this period. Some of the examples of more enduring and timeless nos are here.

HORO HORO NONDI BHRINGI is a devotional folk song. It’s a song of Lord Shiva. His physical attributes and appearance is something special, which this song describes.

Best sung by the superb maestro of Kampuria folk songs Rameswar Pathak with Khogen Mahanta,

Music by : Prabhat Sharma;

Available in audio cassette

“Horo Horo Nondi Bhringi

stuti kore gondhorbo kinnore

aa wayto xada xibo deva digomboro

trilukor nath horo xiroy jota dhari

o’ gate xubha kore probhur oi lamba dari

aa wayto xada xibo deva digomboro

 Kopalote xubha kore ordho sondro kola

Aa gale xubha kore probhu noro munda mala

aa wayto xada xibo deva digomboro

 Kandhey xubha korey prabhur goroloro jala

Aru konkalote xubha kore ahir baghor salow

aa wayto xada xibo deva digomboro

 korey xubha korey prabhur trisulor domboro

o’ brixobhay soriya phuray jogotoro goru

aa wayto xada xibo deva digomboro’

TRANSLITERATION OF THE SONG

“The Gods their attendant all in heaven

Pray to Shiva the naked God

O’ Soda Siva the naked God…….

Unkempt knotted hair and yet the king of the

Three worlds of the universe

His face adorned by flowing beard

O’ Soda Siva the naked God…….

On his forehead the sickle moon waxes

Garland of human skull adorns his neck

O’ Soda Siva the naked God…….

Through his throat he swallowed the world’s poison

His waist wrapped in tiger skin and

Coiled by a live serpent

O’ Soda Siva the naked God…….

On his shoulder slung a bagful of marijuana

Adorned with ashes smeared all over his body

O’ Soda Siva the naked God…….

His hand holds the hour glass drum

Roams the world on a stud bull”

O’ Soda Siva the naked God…….

KANAI PAAR KORA HE…

Best sung by Dr. Bhupen Hazarika; available in audio cassette HMV 844402

This song is a Bantering between Lord Krishna and his beloved Radha.

 Lyrics in Roman Script

“Hey Kanai par kora he, belir poril saya

Nosto hoilo dudher bhandar, bzar gelo baya

 Kathore dexote thaka o” kathor kiba dukh

Bhanga noukar pani phelai kiba pawa xukh

 Bhang nohoi Singa nohoi gamerir xaar

Hostee ghura paar kora Radhar kiman bhar

 Onya lukok paar korila loiya aana aana

Aamar Radhak paar korila loia kanor xuna"

TRANSLITERATION OF THE SONG-

Kanai, take me across

The sun has cast its shadows

My wares of Milk will perish and market was bad

You live in the land of timber

There seems to be storage of wood

What pleasure do you get in

Taking people across in a run down leaky boat

 Its not leaky nor it is rundown

Its made out of the substance of white teak

I’ve taken across elephant and horses and how nuch does Radha weight?