East India in the Songs of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika

REFLECTION OF THE CULTURAL DIVERSITY AND UNITY OF ETHNIC GROUPS OF NORTH – EAST INDIA IN THE SONGS OF DR. BHUPEN HAZARIKA

Puspanjali Hazarika Ph. D, Research Scholar Dibrugarh University. Assam, India-786004

Abstract: The Culture of North East India has been formed by the exchange of cultural elements between the various tribes and communities. They are a number of tribes living in the entire NE India and each of these tribes has special cultural side of these tribes. The subject of our research paper is ‘The reflection of diversity and unity between the tribes and communities of North East in the songs of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika. The research paper has been formed with the help analytical and descriptive techniques. In this research paper how the cultural diversity and unity of NE India has been observed in the songs of Dr, Bhupen Hazarika will be discussed.

Key Words: North –East India, Cultural Diversity, Songs, Dances, Folk Festivals,

1. Introduction: The cultural life of the North-East India has formed with the exchange of the cultural elements from various tribes of ethnic group. The North East India (Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Sikkim) there are various tribes living in every state. Each of these tribes have their own culture and language. Each of these tribes have their own songs, dances, festivals. Dressing and food. In the songs of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika the various sides of these communities and tribes have been reflected. When we notice the songs of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika the festivals, culture, dressing etc. of the various tribes have taken place in the songs, Along with that he had written songs, based on the tunes of Bihu songs, Aainaam, Marrige songs, Borget, Lullaby, Oinitom, Zeekir, Kamrupiya and Goalpariya Loka- Geet, etc. The subject matter of our research paper is ‘The diversity and integration of the various tribes of ethnic group of NE reflected in the songs of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika. 2. Objective of discussion: The objective of the research paper are listed below- a) How the picture of the cultural diversity of the NE India reflected in the songs of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika. b) The cultural diversity of the various tribes of the NE India and solidarity or integration between them. 3. Importance of study: ‘The diversity and integration of the various tribes of the NE India reflected in the songs of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika’ is an important topic to discuss. The various tribes and communities living in the vast area of the NE India is filled with different cultures. Every Community has their own language and diversified cultures. Then integration of all of these has formed an integration of diversified culture. It is very important to research about the cultural life, lifestyle, economic status, diet, songs, dressing, festivals etc. of these communities. The cultural diversity of NE India is a subject of a vast parameter. In our research paper how the cultural diversity and integration of NE India picturasied in the songs of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika tried to tie the entire

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© 2019 JETIR January 2019, Volume 6, Issue 1 www.jetir.org (ISSN-2349-5162) communities of the NE with the thread of mutual love by calling them Assamese. He called for the cultural solidarity of between each and every community from the Hills as well as land through his songs. Therefore his songs contained the picture of the cultural diversity and integration of NE India. Dr. Bhupen Hazarika called for the formation of major Assamese community forsaking the discrimination in religion and cultures. Therefore it is important study for the picture of cultural diversity and integration has reflected in the songs of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika. 4. Scope of the discussion: The dimension of the proposed research documents contains the various communities and tribes and their cultural characteristics and how the picture of integration between these tribes and communities of North- East were reflected in the songs Dr. Bhupen Hazarika.

5. System of the Study: To create the research paper for the cultural diversity and integration between the tribes of every state of the NE India through the songs of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, descriptive and analytical study is made. Reference from various books are taken to gather the information necessary to form the research document. 6. Main discussion : Reflection of the cultural diversity and integration between the tribes of NE India in the songs of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika: In the major North East region various tribes and communities live in every state. In East Kameng, West Kameng, Upper Sowanshiri, East Chiyang, West Siyang, Lohit, Dibang Valley. Papumpare , Tawang, Changlang and Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh Nakte, Nangsu, Tangsa, Naksa, Namsang, Soha, Idu, Kaman, Taraon, Khamti, Singphou, Padam, Galong, Monpa, Cherduk-pen, oka etc. Tribes lives and each tribes lives and each tribes have their own language and culture. In Nagaland there are Aangami, Sema, Lotha, aao, Rengma, Kanyak etc may tribes likewise every tribe living in NE India is enriched with their own customs and cultures. This is a picture of integration observed between these tribes and communities of NE who are enriched with their own cultures. A picture of integration and mutual love is observed between these lives living in hills and land. These tribes and communities keeps connected in various occasion and a solidarity of cultural life has formed through the exchange of customs and cultures. The reflection of the colorful cultural life and customs of the various tribes and communities of the old Bor Assam in the songs of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika is very interesting . Dr. bhupen Hazarika’s songs has the reflection of many cultural sides along with the desire to merge every tribes and community with unity. 6.1.Missing Tribes: One of the essential tribe valise of Assam in the Missing Tribe. Dr. Bhupen Hazarika mentioned many aspects of this tribes in his songs. The male attire of the Missing of Disang Mukh Assam. For example- Mibugaluk, Pererumbong, Dumer etc. in much way- Mibugaluk chulati Pererumbang chadarkhan kiyanu pindhili Murat dekhu dumer di gamusa aatali (‘Mibugaluk Shirt’/Why did you wear the Pererubonag /Tied the Duber like a Gamosa up the head.)

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Mentioned about the attire of Missing Women as- Ege mekhelate toi Endhar sanili O rihakhanit tamuli takar rnga tara basili Dekatir sunar bahir sate gunggang bajali Sariyahar ful jen ribigachengkhani toi bukute bandhili. (You bought darkness to the Ege Mekhela/O’ Bought red stars of Tamuri taka into the Riha./Played gung gung with the golden salute of that young man./The Ribigasang like Mustard flower you/Dressed at to the chest.)

Mentioned about the attires of male and female like that and also mentioned about the Oinitom of the Missing. In one of song he mentioned about the death sentence of the young couple Zanki and Panei and their sad story. They will always live with unity with the other tribes and communities of Assam. It is tried to increase the sense of unity between the Missing tribe along with the other tribes and communities. 6.2. The Karbi Community: The songs of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika mentioned about the Karbi tribe who lives in the Karbi Anglong district of Assam. In the Karbi language, the meaning of karbi is Hill and the meaning of ‘Anglong’ is people. Meaning of ‘Ka’ is light and meaning of ‘Bi’ is work. That means the moral of Karbi tribe is ‘work is religion.’ The ritual of giving ‘Sarai’ to worship their god is known as ‘Thekar Kibi”. With the passage of time the words ‘The’ and ‘Ki’ gets ennihilation and remained the word ‘karbi’. The funeral ritual Samangkan of the karbi is also noted. In this Samangkan festival young male and female dancing samchinang dance with Nimcho kerung and dhal-taruwal. Various myths about these festivals flow in there socity. A glimpse of this festival is found in this Bhupen Hazarika’s song - ‘‘Samangkan usawat naach,samangkan hoy Deka gabhuye mili dharitri kapabo” ‘Dance in Samangkam festival, Samangkan yes. Bay and giral will shake the world together.

6.3. Bodo Tribes: ‘Bihuti bosori Aahiba’in this song Bhupen Hazarika said that, in Bodo language ‘Bor’ means wind ‘Di’ means water and the word ‘Bordoisila’ has formed from this. The song also told that Bardoisila comes once a year to unite every tribe and community of Assam. 6.4.Tea Tribes: These tribes coming from various places of India to work at the tea garden of Assam and then got established in Assam the people like Bhumika, Munda, etc. are now learn as Tea tribal people of Assam. These people also become an integral part of Assamese language and culture. Various aspect of these Tea tribe people are clear in the songs of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika. ‘Girl of Assamese tea garden’ In this song gave the picture of a girl having fun by dancing zhoomoor. Their vitual ‘Karam Puja’ is described as such-

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‘ Bhadar masat dham dhama dham Karam pujat dham dhama dham Bajao aaji dham dhama dham madal chaotali’ (Dham Dhama Dahn in Bhado Month Dham Dhama Dham in Karam Puja Play Dham dhama Dham Madal saotaly) The durga Puja in the Ahin Month is celebrated also by the tea tribes. Dr. Bhupen Hazarika song told- ‘aashin mahe durgapuja Dhaker keman gurguri Tare majhe jhilmil kare Mor pranar sundari’ (Durgapuja in Aashin Month Dhakeer Kemen gurguri My clear beauty.) The specialty of the attire of the Tea tribes is interesting to noted. Males wear short ‘dhoti’ and sleeveless shirts and women wear Read lined and yellow lined sarees. Bhupen Hazarika’s song says – ‘Budhur galat ronga rumal bahut tamar tabij Kola sulit koto je bhaj dehat rongin kamij’ (Budhu with red shirt and copper gauntlet Many curls in his black hair colorful shirt) Woman attire was mentioned as – ‘Lal saree pindhi nache Madal jhumur bajna Nake nyuluk baye tabij Runjun baje gahana’ (Dancing Nearest red saree/Madal Zhoomor is playing /Nosering in nose wearing bracelet in arms/Ornaments playing runzhun) At some other place hi says – ‘kanat lare chare kare duti rupar jhumka Khuje pati kiba babe thunuk thunuka’ (Two silver pearls are shining on ears

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Playing jhunuk jhanak with every steps) 6.5. Picture of various tribes of Arunachal Pradesh: The unity of land and hills are reflect in the songs of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika. It was tried to tie the entire community irrespective of language or religion with the thread of unity through songs. There for his songs mentioned about the Galong, Khamti, Wansu, Apatani, Monpa , Pasam,Idu, Nakte, Sereelupen, tangsa etc. tribes of Arunachal Pradesh .For example- ‘O bahudine nedekha padam idu naktei Aah buli hiyare apang jasise’ ( Oh Haven’t seen Padama Idu Nakeatei in a long time Offering heartly Apong saying come) The picture of Unity is reflected through this- ‘ aaji pahare bhoiyamar kalija chinise O serdukpen aru tangsai Anka aru boriye seneh enajarir bati kahise’ (My heart is dancing with the hills and land.Oh serdukpen and Tangsai, Oka and Bari Are cireling the thread of love) His songs also reflects about the Tangsa , Yugli, Namshu , Nokte, Khunsa, Lungsang etc tribe of Tirap district of Arunachal . Wanshu youths neekare dikmani , on the head ‘kashan’ and Nakte youths ‘Jeimseng’ is also found to be mentioned . for Example- ‘Souwa tirapar kishur wangsu Tar muthit junga jathi pakmu Dingit likmoni murat kashan Saru fanat mari nasise shuwan’ (There teenager Wanshu of Tirap Holding sharp speared Pakmu by his fists Likmoni on neek kashan on head Showan is dancing in small steps) He talked about the simple life of Lungsangs from Tirap as- ‘tirapare basti sanglang Tate saral janajati lungchang’ (Sanglang Valley of tirap Simple Tribe of Lunsang there) 6.6. Picture of the tribes from Mizoram:

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The tribes living in Mizoram are observed to have been doing their living on ‘Zoom Kheti’ . Dr. Bhupen Hazarika mentioned it in this songs. The sakma’s of Mizoram only wear cloths which they sew with their own hand. The female of this clean are expert in stitching and sewing They find a pride in wearing cloths which are made by themselves. Dr. Bhupen Hazarika’s songs tells- ‘Tair hate buwa gowan mekhelate Ronga nila aasha bhara ful fulile Tair bakshyar karasei sulate Shukula meghe kiba ful basile’ (The gowan mekhela they are she sew by her hands Red blue flowers of hope have blossomed On the ‘kovsei’ top on her chest White clors have given some things) And in this way the cultural life of the hills and land is reflected in the songs of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika. His weak point of view tried to accept each and every tribes from hills and land as Assamese and from a culture of unity. Therefore he tried to tie up Hindu, Muslim, Horizon, hilly everyone with Unity. Therefore he sang- ‘Horizon, Pahasy, Hindu, Muslim Bodo, Konch, Chutia, Kachari, Ahom Will flow honey through the hearts Breaking the wall of discrimination From the haven of unity.’

7. Diversity in Language: In the song of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika the diversity and unity of language is found along with the diversity in culture. Words from various languages of various tribes are found in his songs. The picture of unity that he tried to form becomes clear through this. Words from various tribes such as Ahom, Missing, Bodo, Rabha etc and many are found in his songs, Use of Ahoms words hengdang, Maihang, Kareng, Singkhap, etc are found. For example- Mula Gabhoru has come fiercely today ‘Hengdan’ has hidden somewhere seeing ‘Mako’. Likewise various words from Khasi language of Meghalaya are found in many songs. Diyengsiye, sharati , jeinsem, shibun etc khasi words are found. Likewise words from Mizo Language is also found innhis songs. Siero, gowan, korsei, Pangkapar, bilkhaatling, lunghle , Chillung, pathiyan ,sakma, lukhum etc Mizo words are found in his songs . For example – ‘Bilkhaotling or lungdai Borangte or lungle

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Thing sol thliyai or sherasib Hunathiyal or kalasiva’

Likewise along with the various words from Missing, Bodo, Rabha, Tea- tribes, various Arabic and Parchi words are also found in his songs. He used these kind of words when he talked about the Muslims of – Namere pranami jagatak bishala Aalla ram eketi katha Kuran gitai insanake insane hoba koise’ (Enlighten the world by praying Allah Ram is the same thing Quran Geeta has told human to be human) Unity between the Muslims and Assamese was tried to be brought about with these kind of songs. In this way the picture of the unity in language was also seen in the songs of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika. 8. Conclusion: As it has been seen from the discussion the picture of the cultural life of the tribes and communities of NE India has been reflected in the songs of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika. We can reach to some decision from this discussion. They are – Decisions- a. The picture of the cultural life of the entire tribes and communities of North –East is found in the songs of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika. The cloth and dress, Musical instruments , festivals , dance and songs , food and lifestyle of different tribes and communities are reflected in his songs. It also reflects that the culture of the NE India is a culture of unity. b. A culture of unity has been tried to from among the cultural life of various tribes. c. His songs has the reflection of the unity of language. Words from Missing, Bodo, Rabha, Karbi, Arabic, Parchy, Tea- tribe and Tai Ahom are seen in many of his songs. By this unite language he tried to bring unity to everyone. References: Dutta, Suman. 2015. Assom t Janajatiya Adhyan r Parikrama. Dibrugarh: Banalata, Doloi, Basanta Kumar. 2009. Assom r Janagosthi . Dhemaji: Kiran Prakashan.2009. Patgiri, Jagadish (editor).200. Purbanchalar Basha- Sahitya aru Sangskriti .Guwahati: Chandra Prakashan. Baruah. Bhimakanta.2003. Assom r Bhasa.Dibrugarh: Banalata. Baruah, Bhimkanta.2007. Bhasa r Itibritta . Dibrugarh: Banalata. Baraman, Bhusan Chandra.2015. Ath bhani r rajya Uttar Purbanchal r Janajati. Dibrugarh: Banalata. Bharali, Shailen. 1989 Assomiya Bhasa aru Sanskriti Bishoyk Prabandha Sangkalan.Gauhati University Rabha Hakasam, Upen.2013. Assomiya aru Assom r Janagosthi Prasanga Anusanga. Department of Assamese Gauhati University.

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Rabha Hakasam, Upen.2016. Assom r Janajatiya Sanskriti. Guwahati: Banimandir. Rabha Hakasam, Upen.2009. Assomiya aru Assomr Bhasa – Upabhasa. Guwahati: Jyoti Prakashan.

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