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“Why is there no male counterpart for Sati, the chaste woman?”
“How long will you suppress our volcanic creativity?”
Quest for feminism in the narrative of Assamese music is a rarity. However, when one encounters with the above questions in a song written in Assamese language that form integral part of centuries old struggle for freedom and emancipation of women, it definitely marks a significant space in the discourse of feminism in Assamese music.
Paridhi Bhangi, (breaking the barriers) the latest composition of internationally acclaimed singer and music composer Joi Barua, is so moving in terms of assertion of equal rights, emancipation, and a women’s desire to break all the barriers, that it has redefined feminism in Assamese lyrics. Significantly, these two basic questions, form integral part of lyrics.
No wonder, the lyrics of the song is composed by Ibson Lal Baruah, a nationally acclaimed sound mixing engineer and very acclaimed composer and lyricist, who has been constantly writing songs for Joi Barua.
Paridhi Bhangi- the song with incredible energy and strength- is actually a tribute to the courageous efforts of five unsung female heroes in Nagaon district in central Assam who dared to form the first all women music band Sur Samalay way back in eighties decade. They challenged stereotyping of women’ role in the society, and broke free from their confined space “in the second line”. It is the theme song of a 30-minute-long documentary film ‘Breaking the Silence’ by Parthajit Baruah, in which he has documented life and struggle of these five female artistes including Anjali Mahanta, Nazma Ahmed, Sewali Lekharu, Kabita Nath and Arati Mahanta. These five passionate female music lovers belong to different creed and religion faced all the hardship of a male dominating music world of that time, as well as under the institution of patriarchy. However, they never stopped and went ahead with indomitable spirit leading their own decisions. It was unconventional and difficult. They had to face endless challenges, hard realities and also threats from religious leaders. Nobody could, however, stop them from performing on stage as a band, playing instruments that were considered to be played only by male.
Parthajit Baruah, an award-winning documentary filmmaker and film critic, has highlighted the gendered perspective of these small-town women torchbearers in his documentary film. When this five-member women music group broke the silence nearly 40 years back, it was actually a new socio-political feminist activism challenging the stereotyping of role of a woman by the society. The song has all the essence of that socio-political feminist activism initiated by these empowered women. The powerful lyrics derived from the deep connotations of feminism discourse encompasses its primary objectivity of paying tribute to the efforts of these women by raising pertinent questions that have been asked by feminists and humanitarians all over the world over the centuries. The answers, however, are still elusive. The human society has a long way to go to achieve the goal of emancipation and equal rights on the basis of gender.
With all its incredible musical elements, Paridhi Bhangi also says how music can be a powerful tool to connect common mass and to spread message of gender-based equality. This social activism in a contemporary music world of Assamese language is refreshing and an energetic experience. Paridhi Bhangi is successful in both ways -- celebrating womanhood as well as raising important questions that lead the age-old struggle for emancipation of women. It is a voice against patriarchy. Raising these issues is crucial as these are the basic questions encountered by every woman all over the world and in every walk of life.
The lines a poem by Pablo Neruda “So I love you / Because I know no other way than this/ when I does not exist/ nor you” make the perfect prelude extending the essence of the song.
The song has been translated into English by Dr. Pori Hiloidari, a literary critic, and Associate Professor in the department of English, Handique Girls’ College, Guwahati.
Photo- Ratna Bharali Talukdar
Covering our human identity
with derivative vowels,
Confining us to the second line
With burkha and veils.
How long will you suppress
our volcanic creativity?
We are indomitable flocks of birds
Fluttering out winged songs
We will soar higher
Breaking the barriers of desire.....
Change your dictionary
Or re-write new meaning of vocabulary
Listen to the concert of time...
Erase the docile-self stereotype
Define her as storm-blast.
Why is there no male counterpart
for ‘Sati’ the chaste woman?
She knows the meaning of the female
gender
is the sparks of fire
Tuned to diverse intonation
Poems-songs-discourses
In our invocation
will triumph over blind prejudices
covering our human identity
with derivative vowels,
confining us to the second line
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