Joor Baruah: Journey of Kavita Baruah (Rose)

Kavita Baruah (Rose) at the inauguration of
Dr. Bhupen Hazarika's statue at Raidangia, Nagaon, Assam 2018

Born into the musical Hazarika family in Guwahati Assam - Kavita Baruah (Rose Hazarika), one of ten children of Nilokanto Hazarika and Santipriya Hazarika, was introduced to art and culture from her early childhood. Her formative years were influenced by stalwarts like Bishnu Rabha, Jyotiprasad Agarwala, Phani Sharma, who spent lot of time at the Hazarika family home, working closely with her eldest brother Bhupen Hazarika and rest of the brothers and sisters.

Kavita’s cultural life included dancing, acting and singing.

Her first dance performance was for Bishnu Rabha’s Xurore Deulore in Bhorolumukh, Guwahati. In her youth, Kavita was involved with various cultural and social organizations in various parts of Assam. She represented Assam for the first Republic Day cultural performance in New Delhi and performed tea community folk dances for the Assam tableau. Kavita was also an activist with Indian People Theatre’s Association (IPTA) along with luminaries like Hemango Biswas during that time. Later, she was a part of the founding team of Madhusayanika, a socio-cultural organization recognized for its contribution to the art and culture of Assam; and an active member of the Cotton College cultural affairs.

Kavita was also involved with All India Radio (AIR), Guwahati programme like Akonir Mel (during her childhood), Aidew Buloni (women’s programme) and later with various radio drama series.

Her popular songs include: Prathama Prahore Ratri (with Ila Bose) for the film Sakuntala; Godhuli Ahil (music Jayanta Hazarika, lyrics Nirmol Prabha Bordoloi) and Radha Sura’r Phool Guji (inspired by tea community folk - music/lyrics Bhupen Hazarika) for a commercial His Masters Voice (HMV) record, folk song Baijensun for long playing record, a folk compilation Bareboronia; Goalporiya folk Dhouli Mure Mai and Birinda Bonere Kune Bahi Bai for Hazarika family albums Nijoraparor Xur and Rod Puabor Karone.

Kavita was closely involved in the making of various Assamese films by Bhupen Hazarika contributing to various aspects of production and music. Filmed in Assam and Tallygunge, Kolkata – where she lived and studied with her brother, some of these productions include Loti ghoti, Pratidhyoni. Chik Mik Bijuli, Erabator Xur and Mon Proja Poti (co-produced by her husband Upendra Kumar Baruah). Kavita acted in Chik Mik Bijuli, narrated and sang Bihu with Moghai Ojah for Pratidhyoni and performed folk dances for Erabator Xur.

Kavita earned her matriculation from Panbazar Girls High School, Bachelor of Arts (B.A). Handique College, Guwahati University and Dip. in Library Science from Kolkata University.

Kavita has been involved in social work for the last two decades. She is currently an advisor for Xixu Kanon, an Ethos project involving underprivileged children and orphans and volunteer Vice President (Joint) of Association forSocial Health in India (ASHI), Assam.

She got married to Upendra Kumar Baruah, an architect, author and cultural patron from Tezpur and lived in United States for a few years before returning to Assam. Upen Baruah’s work include production of early Assamese movie Mon Proja Poti, involvement with the Civil Rights movement in Chicago in the 60’s culminating in authoring of A Portrait of A Gandhian – A Biography of Dr. Martin Luther King with foreword from Mrs. King and Mrs. Gandhi, apart from his contribution to Northeast India as an architect. Kavita and Late. Upendra Kumar Baruah has two children Angana (Heea) Baruah and Uddip (Joor) Baruah.

Detailed information below:

MUSIC

ALL INDIA RADIO [AIR]

o 1949/50 Participated in Akoni Mel children’s programme.

o Performed numerous live songs like:

Lora Burha Kak Koi, Dalimi Nubuje Tak…

· [Duet with Bhupen Hazarika]

· Lyrics: Jyoti Prasad Agarwala

· Composed by: Jyoti Prasad Agarwala

Kokaidew Bhonti…

· [Duet with Bhupen Hazarika]

· Lyrics: Bhupen Hazarika

· Composed by: Bhupen Hazarika

Jodi Jinone Kande Nai Nai Buli…

· Lyrics: Bhupen Hazarika

· Composed by: Bhupen Hazarika

Mur Morome Morom Bisari Jai…

· Lyrics: Bhupen Hazarika

· Composed by: Bhupen Hazarika

Puju Aha Ai Matri Sorono Komol…

· Lyrics: Parboti Prasad Baruah

· Composed by: Parboti Prasad Baruah

Xokhi He Ki Kome Dukhore Kotha…

· Lyrics: Jyoti Prasad Agarwala

· Composed by: Jyoti Prasad Agarwala

Nisola Ai Re Ami Khati Axomiya…

· Lyrics: Bishnu Rabha

· Composed by: Bishnu Rabha

o Drama artist for All India Radio AIR. Performed various radio plays.

HMV [His Masters Voice]

One of the first Assamese women singers to record an exclusive His Masters Voice [HMV] long playing record with two tracks, which included the following songs.

Gohduli Ahil Tora Jilikil…

· Lyrics: NirmalPrabha Bordoloi

· Composed by: JayantaHazarika

Radhasura Phool Guji…

· Lyrics: Bhupen Hazarika

· Composed by: Bhupen Hazarika

PLAYBACK

Protomo Prohore Ratri, Phuli Asil Champa…
FILM: Shakuntala

· [Duet with Ila Bose]

· Lyrics: Bhupen Hazarika

· Composed by: Bhupen Hazarika

Xurjya Jetiya Kesua Asil....
FILM: Pratidhyoni

· Recorded the narration in the movie including the opening narration
Xurjya Jetiya Kesua Asil....

Recorded a song/medleys and narrated for a long-playing record for the
Social Forestry Department Musical Feature for the Government
of Assam, under the direction of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika.

Performed chorus in the film: Siraj.

CD RECORDINGS

Bhaijenson Dheret Dheret, Sah Nai Soruali…

ALBUM: Bareboroniya/Collection of Folk Songs

Producer: Mrs. Bonti Bhuyan [Faculty Group]

· Gualpariya Loko Geet/Folk

· [Duet with Balen Hazarika]

Dheuli Mure Mai, Sundori Mure Mai…

ALBUM: Nijaraparor Xur/Bhupen Hazarika Family Album

· Gualpariya Loko Geet/Folk

· [Duet with Nripen Hazarika]

Birinda Bonere, Kune Bahi Bai…

ALBUM: Rod Puabo’r Karone/Bhupen Hazarika Family Album

· [Tercet with Sudakshina Sharma (Queen) and Stuty Patel (Ruby)]

· Lakshminath Bezbarua Geet

SINGING PERFORMANCES

With Dr. Bhupen Hazarika

Indian People Theatres Association [IPTA] Cultural Programmes with

Hemango Biswas, Dilip Sharma, Bhupen Hazarika etc.

Madhusayanika Cultural Programmes

DANCE

Dance drama Xurore Deulore directed by Bishnu Rabha.
Represented Assam in the first cultural team on India’s Republic Day celebration.
Participated in the Tea Garden Tableau and danced to songs like Eti Koli Duti Pat with Late Jugal Das and Late Ishwarprasad Chaudhury.
Performed Bihu with Moghai Ojha for the film Pratidhyoni directed by Bhupen Hazarika
Performed Veda Vedyani (folk dances of Kachar) with Pabitra Borkakoty and Mukunda Bhattacharjee in the movie Erabator Xur directed by Dr. Bhupen Hazarika.
Performed for the Pane’r Punakon shadow play directed by Bhupen Hazarika for Indian People’s Theater Association [IPTA], Arjya Natyo Mondir
Performed Manipuri Nrityo with Kalawanto Singh for various cultural programmes.
Performed dances to Rabindra Sangeet during Rabindra Jayanti programmes under the guidance of Priyam Hazarika, for Rabindra Sangeets like:
Ora Okarone Ei Chanchal…
Ore Bhai Phagun Legeche Bone Bone
Performed for the lead role Shyama for the dance drama directed by Mukunda Bhattacharjee for Indian People’s Theaters Association [IPTA]

FILMS/DOCUMENTARY

ACTING

Acted in the movie Chik Mik Bijuli directed by Dr. Bhupen Hazarika.

Chik Mik Bijuli crew: Kavita Baruah (Rose), first from the left.

PRODUCTION

Worked in various aspects of production with Bhupen Hazarika during the making of the

following films:

Erabator Xur 1956
Sakuntala 1961
Loti Ghoti 1966
Pratidhyoni 1964
Mon Projapati 1979

CREATIVE ADVISER

Worked as the creative advisor for the documentary Adi | At The Confluence (2016)
directed by documentary filmmaker Joor Baruah. The documentary has been shown in over
30 international film festivals and won 8 best documentary awards. Currently, Ministry of
Broadcasting, Government of India and Public Service Broadcasting Trust
(PSBT) has commissioned the making of a feature length 52-minute version of the
documentary for Doordarshan.

JOURNEY [Chronological]

1948: First performance in a dance drama Xorore Deulore directed by Bishnu Rabha.

Rehearsals we done in the Hazarika’s house at Bhorolumukh in Guwahati and the dance drama was performed at a makeshift garage in Rohini Choudhury’s house.1950: Sang in children’s programme series Akonir Mel in All India Radio (AIR) when it was first established in Guwahati. Later progressed to becoming a regular artist of All India Radio (AIR) performing borgeet, folk and modern songs.

1950-1960: Member of Indian People’s Theater Association (IPTA) and attended All India Conference in Delhi to represent Assam with Hemanga Biswas amidst luminaries like Balraj Sahini. Danced with Shombhu Bhattacharjee, Mukunda Bhattacharjee, Bishnu Rabha. Sang with Omar Seikh, Hemanta Mukherjee, Salil Chaudhury, Montu Ghosh, Debabrata Biswas, Suchitra Mitra and Bhupen Hazarika.

1955: Matriculation from Panbazar Girls high school, Guwahati. Enrolled in Cotton College Guwahati – active in cultural affairs and part of the best music team in intercollege music competition.

1954/1955: Attended Republic Day celebration in Delhi with Late Jugal Das, Late Ishwarprasad Chaudhury. Participated in the Tea Garden Tableau, danced to Bhupen Hazarika’s Eti Koli Duti Pat.

Kavita Baruah (Rose) fourth dancer from the left

performing at the first Republic Day.

1956/1957: Performed Veda Vedyani folk dances of Kachar with Mukunda Bhattacharjee in the movie Erabator Xur directed by Dr. Bhupen Hazarika.

Assisted director Dr. Bhupen Hazarika with various production responsibilities in the movie.

Performed folk songs in various places in Assam and duets with Aroop Baruah (son of Late. Promotesh Baruah) including Gualporiya Lokogeet Dhauli Mure Mai, taught by Late. Pratima Pandey.

1961: Performed the duet Prathamo Prohore Ratri, Phuli Asil Champa with Ila Bose in the movie Sakuntala directed by Dr. Bhupen Hazarika. (Recording was done at the Radha Film Studio, later Doordarshan, Tallygunge, Kolkata).

Sakuntala [Official Poster]

Assisted director Dr. Bhupen Hazarika with various production responsibilities in the movie.

1962: Bachelor of Arts (B.A). Handique college, Guwahati University.

1962/1963: Teacher, Panbazar Girls High School.

1962/1963: Announcer at All India Radio (AIR), Guwahati (during the tenure of station director Ubedul Latif Baruah). Also performed in the programme series Aidew Boluni (women’s programme).

1964: Moved to Tallygunge Kolkata to live with Dr. Bhupen Hazarika and pursue higher education at Kolkata University.

Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, Krishna Das Nath (left); Nripen Hazarika,

Kavita Baruah (Rose) (Right) at the Tallygunge, Kolkata

residence of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika.

1964-1966: Assisted director Dr. Bhupen Hazarika (along with Nripen Hazarika) with various production responsibilities in the movie Loti Ghoti. Substantial portion of the film shooting was done at the Indrapuri Studio, Tallygunge Kolkata.

Loti Ghoti [Official Poster]

1965/1966: Assisted director Dr. Bhupen Hazarika (along with Nripen Hazarika in Kolkata and Balen Hazarika in Guwahati) with various production responsibilities in the movie Pratidhyoni.

Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, Eva Asao at the set of Pratidhyoni

Did the narration in the movie including the opening narration Xurjya Jetiya Kesua Asil... Sang Bihu song with Moghai Ojah.

1966/1967: Obtained Library Science Diploma from Calcutta University

Founding member of Madhusayanika – a cultural organization based out of Guwahati, Assam. Other founding members included Khagendra Narayan Dutta Baruah, Balen Hazarika, Kalyan Bora, Anil Baruah amidst others.

Madhusayanika Cultural Organization, Guwahati, Assam;

Kavita Baruah (Rose) 6th from left/3rd row

1968: Acted in the movie Chik Mik Bijuli directed by Dr. Bhupen Hazarika.

Assisted director Dr. Bhupen Hazarika with various production responsibilities in the movie.

Chik Mik Bijuli is the first Assamese movie made with both Assamese and Bollywood actors.

Chik Mik Bijuli: Kavita Baruah (Rose) and BijoyShankar Das.

1968: Performed two songs in a commercial record produced by His Masters Voice (HMV).

Radhasurar Phool Guji, Radhapuror Radhika…

(lyrics and music composed by Dr. Bhupen Hazarika)

Godhuli Ahil, Tora Jilikil…

(lyrics by Nirmal Prabha Bordoloi and music by Jayanta Haarika)

1974/1975: Performed chorus in Bhupen Hazarika’s production of the movie Siraj. Assisted director Dr. Bhupen Hazarika with various production responsibilities in the movie.

1975-1977: Assisted Dr. Bhupen Hazarika with various production responsibilities in the movie. in the movie Mon Prajapati - co-produced by Late. Upendra Kumar Baruah (husband of Kavita Baruah/Rose).

Mon Projapoti: [Official Poster].

Lead actress Gayatri Dutta and actor Bhabesh.

Performed chorus for the movie Oxanto Prohor directed by Late Shiva Thakur and music direction by Dr. Bhupen Hazarika.

1988-1989: Recorded Gualpara Lokogeet for long-playing record Bareboronia (Melodies from Assam) – music direction by Rajeshwar Bordoloi and produced by Mrs. B. Bhuyan/FB Trust (Faculty School).

Bareboronia Assam: Record cover.

Performed in various cultural programmes with Dr. Bhupen Hazarika.

Dr. Bhupen Hazarika singing with Kavita Baruah (Rose),
Prabhat Sharma on the flute at a cultural function in Kolkata.

Recorded a song/medleys and narrated for a long-playing record for the Social Forestry Department Musical Feature for the Government of Assam, under the direction of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika.

1995: Recorded various chorus and Gualpara Lokogeet duet Dhauli Mure Mai (with Nripen Hazarika) and Birinda Bonote Kune Bahi Bai (with Sudakshina Sharma/Queen and Stuty Patel/Ruby) for the music album.

Nijaraparor Xur - a family album of the Hazarika family where three generations of singers performed.

Nijoraparor Xur: CD Cover.

2010: Recorded various chorus for the music album Rod Puabor Karone, the second family album of the Hazarika family.

Rod Puabo'r Karone: CD Cover

2014: Musical adviser for album Brothers recorded by son Joor Baruah and nephew Niyor Hazarika – an album with 7 tracks, a tribute to Dr. Bhupen Hazarika and Jayanta Hazarika.

Brothers: Album cover.

Kavita Baruah (Rose) addressing the audience during the launch of 'Brothers'.

2016: Creative advisor for the documentary film Adi, At The Confluence, produced and directed by Joor Baruah. The documentary has been shown in over 30 international film festivals and won 8 best documentary awards. Thereafter, Ministry of Broadcasting, Government of India and Public Service Broadcasting Trust (PSBT) has commissioned the making of a feature length 52-minute version on the same subject.

Working still from Adi | At The Confluence

Judge for Music and Dance Competitions:

Kavita Baruah (Rose) has been invited to judge numerous music (Bihu, Bhupendra Sangeet, Folk, Ai Naam, Biya Naam etc.) and dance (Bihu, Folk, Classical etc.) competitions at the state and regional level.

Presentation of an award to renowned Tiwa folk artist.

Social Work: Kavita Baruah (Rose) is also committed to a long-time service to the community through various kinds of projects. She continues to help a school for underprivileged children in Panikheti, Chandrapur as an ongoing project called Xixu-Kanon organized by Ethos (NGO) where she is also the advisor.

She is also the current the Vice President of Association for Social Health in India (ASHI) a non-profit that focusses on health issues of the region, especially women's health. She often teaches music and dances as a part of these initiatives.