Guwahati: In music, songs often open a portal to emotions, where feelings and melodies intertwine. From paying tribute to someone to expressing one’s frame of mind, countless artists, from times immemorial, are found to have embraced the medium of music to share with the world what their hearts and minds hold, and the same can be said about Bishrut Saikia whose recent release Aaita is an ode to his grandmother. “When I look at my childhood through a happy lens, all I see is my Aaita. I didn’t get to spend much time with her. So through this song, I am trying to hold on to the little time we had together,” he says upon being asked about what inspired him to write the song.
The song Aaita’s composition was laid on the foundation of moments that speak of happiness and gaiety that are connected with childhood. “Since this song is about the happy memories from my childhood, I wanted the song to have a flavour of Zubeen Da’s music,” he says. “My childhood was flooded with his tunes, all credit goes to Maa,” he adds while giving credit to his mother for her contribution in making him familiar with the songs of Assam’s heartthrob Zubeen Garg. I also wanted the song to have a vibe which I like to term as “a kid from suburbs visiting a big city for the first time,” he adds further.
Speaking of the imagery associated with the song and the composition that weaves the song, Bishrut Saikia says, “The beat kicks in with the guitar plucks, the kid peeks out of the window as he sees huge constructions, big old buildings, his list of places to visit back on his mind; I guess that’s what I felt back in my childhood.”
Released on the first day of the year 2024, the song Aaita is a part of Bishrut Saikia’s upcoming album Promaan which features ten songs, with seven of them, viz. Nuwari Buli Kune Kole, Tumi Xonsito, Dakuwal, Morom Xodaiye Laage, Usha-Aniruddha, Bhogobaan Ase ne, and Aaita are already a part of people’s playlists. In one of the remaining releases, Bishrut Saikia is all set to perform a duet with popular Assamese singer Deeplina Deka.
On being asked about his second album Promaan, Bishrut Saikia recalls his debut album and says “I wrote my debut album ‘Ogrogami’ to heal myself from various traumas and ‘Promaan’ is a testament to that power over my life.” It’s very much like when you try to do all the fun things after you come out of a fever. For me ‘Promaan’ is a fun album without being irresponsible,” he adds.
Born in Jorhat, Bishrut Saikia’s music has reached many hearts within a short period. His discography includes two albums, Ogrogami and Promaan, and three singles, Tenekoi, Ron Bur Akuwalim, and Amar Kahini Bixekh, which listeners have received well, with Upohar and Tenekoi being the popular choices, currently standing at over 3 million and 2.9 million streams respectively on Spotify.
His musical journey started ever since he was a child. Gradually, his school days and college days too became a part of it, eventually leading to where he stands today- as a powerhouse of talent in the Assamese music industry. On being asked about his influences, he states the names of John Mayer, Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler, Eagles, The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Bhupen Hazarika, Jayanta Hazarika, Zubeen Garg, Papon, A.R Rahman, along with claiming that has he has more names to take when it comes to his musical influences.
.
It is through the power of art that memories or moments are immortalised, and Bishrut Saikia’s tribute to his grandmother through Aaita is a definite testament to it. Teamed with sounds that evoke a feeling of nostalgia, along with a harmonica riff that adds subtle shades speaking of simplicity and that Peaceful Easy Feeling, almost something like what a Mark Knofler number or a 90s hit by Jitul Sonowal exudes, the production of the song undoubtedly justified the purpose for which the song has been written, much to the delight of everyone who has been associated with the song, either as a listener or a performer. With every song that Bishrut Saikia has gifted us with, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to affirm that in contemporary times, when the market is almost saturated with vacuous music catering only to the motive of giving listeners a beat to groove to, Bishrut Saikia’s music is like a breath of fresh air, blending the nuances of life with mellifluous melodies.
Also Read | BJP secures 10 unopposed wins in Arunachal assembly polls