Lou lends voice to song of harmony

Meghalaya musician’s sonorous voice resonates in Assamese film

ANDREW W. LYNGDOH

Lou Majaw records a song at the studio on Monday.

Shillong, Sept. 25 : It is an Assamese song with a Khasi touch to promote social harmony among the inhabitants of the Northeast.

For the first time in his glittering career, the unassuming legend, Lou Majaw, today lent his voice to a song, Hengulia akaxot xurujor khela (the sun’s games on a vermilion sky), in an upcoming Assamese film, Xurjyasta.

Much like the legendary Bhupen Hazarika, who had sung Shillongore Monalisa Lyngdoh in his heydays where the pronunciation for Monalisa Lyngdoh was loaded with an Assamese twang, one could hear the Khasi touch to Hengulia akaxot xurujor khela when Majaw’s voice resonated in the recording studio at Nongrimmaw locality in Laitumkhrah here this afternoon.

“The pronunciation of the words is indeed difficult since I am not used to singing in Assamese. At the same time, I added a Khasi twang to the song. I wanted to sing in Assamese like a Khasi,” Majaw, who had an Assamese gamosa flowing down his shoulders, told this correspondent while taking a break from the recording.

Perhaps the essence of the whole project lies in the “originality” of the people of the region.

“If we had wanted the song to be sung the Assamese way, we could have taken somebody from Assam. But we deliberately chose the accomplished Majaw, who would add a Khasi touch to the film. After all, the film is about promoting harmony among people living in this region,” the film’s music director, Kishore Giri, said.

Dwelling on harmony, Majaw recalled the fifties, sixties and seventies when all and sundry irrespective of their identity coexisted in perfect harmony.

“We are seeing a lot of rift these days. Earlier, the scenario was different,” he recounted, while pointing out to some Assam-type houses located within the vicinity of the studio, which, he said, were once inhabited by Assamese and Bengalis.

Citing the boundary dispute between Meghalaya and Assam as an example, Majaw said compromise from both sides was required to ensure harmony.

“If the people of Meghalaya move one step ahead from the boundary line, Assam should move two steps back, and vice-versa. Compromise is the key to attain harmony,” he added.

At the same time, the renowned vocalist said Assam, “as a mother state, should have a wide sense of understanding”.

On an optimistic note, he said “music”, which has no barrier, can usher in “peace and harmony”.

“This is the first of its kind project that I have undertaken. I have received a lot of offers to sing in Assamese but I had rejected those. I hope the project bears fruits, good fruits,” Majaw said before hurtling back to the studio to complete the recording.