RANJAN KUMAR
BEZBARUAH
Nagaon, Assam.
Address for communication : c/o :Pathagar (Book Stall),
Nagaon, Assam. Pin: 782001.
Contacts: 94012-10402, E-mail : ranjanbezbaruah@gmail.com,
Blog: https://ranjanbezbezbaruah.blogspot.com
ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS
M. A. in Sanskrit from Gauhati University (1996).
Kavya Shashtry from Assam
Sanskrit Board, Assam (1997).
Learnt Indian light music under the guidance of Guru Prof.
Subhash Dey, Guwahati
Contributor as a vocal artist of Sanskrit music in the
National Media, DDNews,
Delhi Doordarshan.
Profession: Teaching Sanskrit in a premier Govt. institution
in Nagaon, Assam
AWARDS & FELICITATIONS
Dr.Bhupen Hazarika Memorial Integration Award received at
Jorhat, Assam on 5th Nov. 2014.
Received a number of felicitations from various institutions
7 organizations in Assam and other places of the country.
Others: ‘Hitoishi
Sadasya’, Asom Sahitya Sabha; Life Member, Asom Kabi Sanmilon.
CULTURAL & ACADEMIC
ACTIVITIES
1. Sanskrit rendition of more than a hundred immortal
Assamese songs encompassing the noble numbers of Saint Sankardeva to Dr. Bhupen
Hazarika, along with the lyrics of some luminaries of Assamese music.
2. Sanskrit version of a number of patriotic Indian songs of the maestros like Rabindranath
Tagore & Md. Iqbal, Kabi Pradip and so on.
3. Moreover, has been rendering of a few rare Hindi film
songs with dignified lyrics & music encompassing K. L. Saigal to A. R.
Rahman along with a few popular ghazals and bhajans.
4. Original composition of a number of Sanskrit songs with
distinctive features based on the folk & raga melodies, specially from the
North-East India . The moods and contents of the songs are varied--devotional,
patriotic, humanistic etc.
These songs have been presented at different platforms in
Assam, Kolkata, Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru and New Delhi in the presence of noted
intellectuals, dignitaries and enthusiasts of art and culture who received them
with warm accolades.
Moreover these Sanskrit songs are presented as choir and
dance performances in different places of India and abroad such as Kokata,
Delhi, Kanpur, Almora, Haridwar, many places of Gujrat & Rajasthan, Pune, Bengaluru, Chennai, Washington D C & Arizona of USA, Dubai
& Ras Al Khaimah of UAE and different places of UK & Russia.
It is noteworthy that this kind of attempt has been ventured
upon for the very first time in the history of Assamese music and to some
extent in the history of Indian music. This translation process of Indian songs
has been going on since 1999.
5. PRESENTED THE SANSKRIT RENDITION OF THE GREAT PATRIOTIC
SONG- Md. IQBAL’S 'SARE JAHAN SEACCHA'
WHICH WAS PRODUCED AND PUBLISHED BY THE NATIONAL MEDIA, DDNEWS, DELHI FOR THE
FIRST TIME, ON THE GRAND OCCASION OF INDIA’S 70TH INDEPENDENCE DAY, ON 14th
AUGUST, 2016. IT WAS TRANSLTED &SUNG BY RANJAN BEZBARUAH ALONG WITH OTHER
VOCALISTS. IT IS CONSIDERED
HISTORIC IN INDIAN MUSIC.
6. Again in 2016 and 2019, had presented the Sanskrit
renditions of A. R. Rahman's patriotic
song 'Bharat Humko Jan Se Pyara Hai' translated by Dr. C. R. Nagpal & ‘Dil
hai Chota sa’ by Dr. S. Bharadwaj,
Md.Rafi's 'Jahan Dal Dal Par' by Dr. H. Meher, Hemant Kumar’s ‘O Nadi
Re’ by Alok kumar which were produced
& telecast by DDNews, Sanskrit (Vaartavali).
7. Prepared another great patriotic song of A R Rahman, 'Ma
Tujhe Salam' for India’s Independence day 2019 with the Sanskrit rendition
provided by Prof. Narayan Dutt Mishra, JNU, New Delhi.
BOOKS RELEASED & OTHER LITERARY WORKS
1. Compiled a book of Sanskrit songs titled
‘Geeta-Sanskritam’ with the original and translated Sanskrit lyrics (pub.2017).
2. Edited the Assamese Translation of Bharata’s original
Sanskrit text of 'Natyashastra', vol. 1& 2 (pub. 2002) by Asom Natya
Sanmilon.
3. Preparing a comprehensive Sanskrit-Assamese Dictionary.
4. Preparing a compilation of articles on Sanskrit Culture
and Literature.
5. Edited 'Abhijnanam' the Annual souvenir of Sanskrit
Bhasha Vikasha Manch, Nagaon from 2007 to
2016.
6. Published a number of thought-provoking research pieces,
essays including the translations of a number of famous Indian short stories
into Assamese which are published in
different journals and periodicals.
AUDIO CDS & DVD ALBUMS RELEASED
1.'Manomohini' : An audio album with a few musical
compositions of the legendary maestros of Assam viz. Saint Sankardeva,
Lakshminath Bezbaroa, Jyotiprasasd Agarwala, Bishnuprasad Rabha and Dr. Bhupen
Hazarika rendered in Sanskrit and also a number of original Sanskrit
compositions by the singer himself. It was released at the Press Club, Guwahati
on 17th Nov, 2008 and was produced by
Mayukhi Communication, Guwahati.
2.'Mriganayana' : An audio
album with twelve memorable songs sung delicately in Sanskrit featuring
some of the evergreen numbers of Assam. The translated compositions of Saint
Sankardeva, Bishnuprasad Rabha and Dr.Bhupen Hazarika are assembled here. This
album also includes a number of Rabindranath
Sangeet along with a few self-composed songs by the singer himself which was
released at the Press Club, Guwahati on
13th March, 2001and was produced by Chikhla Communication, Guwahati.
3. 'Sagara Sangamah' : A Tribute to ‘Bharat Ratna’ Dr.
Bhupen Hazarika: An audio album with ten immortal numbers of the legend in
Sanskrit translation. It was released at AIRCEL, Guwahati on 14th Nov. , 2011 and was produced &
marketed by Mayukhi Communication,
Guwahati in 2012 .
Concept/ Sanskrit Translation / Vocal Rendition: Ranjan
Bezbaruah.
4. 'Beyond Barriers' : Vocal Renditions of the Sanskrit
Versions in the DVD titled Beyond Barriers produced and published by PPC(NE),
Doordarshan, Guwahati, where translations of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika’s greatest
songs in different North-eastern and Indian languages are included.
It was released on 8th Sept,
2013.
5. Contributed with vocal in the audio albums 'Tere Mere
Alok Ki Yatra' 2014) and 'Agnisur'
(2016) produced by Jyoti-BishnuSanskritik Manch, Guwahati.
6. 'Yasoda-Nandana', a Sanskrit audio cd with VaIsnabite
devotional songs released in 2014 in Madhupurdham, koochbehar, W.B.
7. Contributed with vocals in two theme songs of ‘Namami Brahmaputra’ in March, 2017, produced by District
Asministrations of Nagaon & Goalpara.
8. Vocal rendition in the Sanskrit audio cd,
‘Mangalacharanam’ produced by Parijat
Production, Sivsagar released in Press
Club, Guwahati in 2017.
9. 'Anandini' and 'Devastakakam': Sanskrit Audio albums
under preparation.
Outstanding Musical Performances and participations
1.Participated and performed in the literary workshop &
seminar on translation organized by the Sahitya Academy, Eastern Zonal Centre ,
Kolkata on 12th to 16th July, 2005.
2. Performed at the grand cultural function along with other
artists and writers of India organized by the Eastern Region Literary and
Cultural Conference at Rabindra Bhaban, Farakka on 27th March, 2010.
3. Background vocals of the Sanskrit ‘Slokas’ in the film
Srimanta Sankardeva directed by Surjya Hazarika. The Film was released on 10th March, 2010.
4. Presented a few classic numbers of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika
during the inaugural function of Dr. BhupenHazarika Museum at the Srimanta
Sankardev Kalakshetra premises in presence of Sri TarunGogoi, Chief Minister of
Assam, Dr. Bhupen Hazarika and other dignitaries on 25th January, 2011.
5. A memorable performance on the occasion of the 150th
Birth Anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore in6 Rabindra Bharati University,
Kolkata organized by the Directorate of Cultural Affairs, Govt. of Assam, West
Bengal State-Music-Drama-Visual Arts Academy etc. on 24th March, 2011.
6. Participated in a national seminar cum cultural programme
organized by Rashtriya Sanskrit Sangsthan, New Delhi and Department of
Sanskrit, Gauhati University jointly on 19th
May, 2011.
7. Performed at the national seminar titled ‘Dr. Bhupen
Hazarika : His Contribution to the Nation’ held at Institute of North-East India studies, Gauhati University
in May 25th , 2012.
8. Performed at the Stain Auditorium, India Habitat Centre,
New Delhi being invited by Impresario
India to pay homage to the Melody Genius Dr. Bhupen Hazarika on 26th to
28th Aug,2012.
9. Invited to present
the classic numbers of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika in Sanskrit at ITC, Guwahati, which was jointly organized by
MASDO, ICCR and Directorate of Cultural
Affairs, Assam on 3rd Nov, 2012 on the
grand occasion of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika's first Death Anniversary.
10. Conducted in a four-day workshop on the Sanskrit renditions of classic
Assamese songs rendered by the singer at Natyamandir, Sivasagar arranged by
ParijatSangeetVidyalay on 4th to 7th April,2013.
11. Invited to perform and deliver a lecture on Sahityarathi
Laksminath Bezbaroa at IOC, Digboi on the occasion of Sahityarathi’s 150th
Birth Anniversary organized by India Club, Digboi on 30th and 31st
Nov.2013.
12. Invited to present Vaisnabite songs in Sanskrit in the
Auniati Monastery in Majuli, the largest river island in the world on 22nd
Jan,2014.
13. Background Vocals of Sanskrit Slokas in the Award
winning Film ‘Yugadrashtra: the Visionary’ produced by Srijani production and
was was released on 16th March, 2014.
14. Performed at ‘Suwadi Suriya Sandhya’ at ICCR Regional
Centre, Silpagram, Guwahati on 30th
August, 2014.
15. Participated as a special artist in the of 47th Session of All India Oriental Conference held
at Gauhati University on 4th Jan. 2015.
16. Invited to perform in the cultural function of 73rd
session of Asom Sahitya Sabha held at
Kaliabor, Assam on 2nd Feb. 2015.
17. Invited to join a National Seminar organized by the
Society for Sankardeva at Madhupur Dham,
Coochbehar, W.B where presented the Sanskrit versions of the noble numbers of
Saint Sankardev on Nov. 23rd, 2014.
18. Participated as an artist in a MHRD sponsored National
Seminar on ‘Relevance of Vedic Consciousness in Modern Society’ held at the
Auditorium of Assam State Film Development Corporation, Guwahati on Jan 14th ,
2016.
19. Background vocals and Sanskrit slokas for the character of Sankardeva for the first
Assamese animated feature film ‘Sarvagunakar Srimanta Sankardeva’ directed by
noted film director Manju Bora and produced by S. Narayan in 2016.
20.Launched a Music Band 'Prachya' which is the first
Sanskrit Band from the North East India in Sri Tirupati Balaji Mandir ,
Guwahati on 31st . January, 2017.
21. Participated as a performer in the cultural evening in
the National Seminar organized by KBVSAS University, Nalbari on 15th February, 2017.
22. Delivered lectures
on the musical heritage of Assam in Book Fair, Srimanta Sankardev
University in Nagaon; K.B. B. Ed
Colleges, Lanka; Dr. B.K.B. College, Puranigudam, Kampur College, Guwahati Book
Fair in between 2017-2019.
23. Working in the animated feature film ' Mahapurush Sri
Sri Madhavdeva, produced by Ramani Chitram, Guwahati. (ongoing project).
24. Musical performances and other recordings of Sanskrit
songs and Chants in AIR, Delhi Doordarshan and other local TV Channels on
different purposes and occasions.
25. Contributed as a judge in a number of state level music competitions in various
places of Assam.
REVIEWS & COMMENTS
1.‘Ranjan has
been popularizing my
Assamese lyrics in
Sanskrit very successfully. I wish that his works would fetch the
recognition and appreciation from the cultural fraternity of India.’'-Dr.
Bhupen Hazarika ,Tezpur,13th March, 2005.
2. ‘Ranjan Bezbaruah, an alumnus of the Department of Sanskrit, Gauhati University and a singer of
appreciable talent, has also compiled Sanskrit versions of the songs of
Rabindranath Tagore, Sankardeva, Bhupen Hazarika, Jyotiprasad Agarwala,
Bishnuprasad Rabha and so on.’
Dr. Dipak Kumar Sarma, Vice-Chancellor, Kumar BhaskarVarma
Sanskrit and Ancient Studies University, Assam.mentioned in Sanskrit in Assam:
A Brief Survey in Sixty Years of
Sanskrit Studies:1950-2010(Vol-1, India) etd. By Prof. Radhavallabh
Tripathi and pub. by Rashtriya Sanskrit Sangsthan, New Delhi in 2012.
3.‘Ranjan’s translated songs prove that our regional music
can be fruitfully rendered into Sanskrit and made acceptable to a wider
audience. He attracts the people both with the splendor of Sanskrit and musical
resplendence of the original numbers’.
Dr. Ashok Kumar Goswami, Sanskrit Scholar, Former Head of
the Dept. of Sanskrit, Gauhati University.
4. ‘Ranjan’s Manomohini is a laudable venture in the present
scenario where the consciousness of many tend to be swept off by cheap
imaginative exercises in the name of popular music. Ranjan holds promise and
his endeavour should contribute its bit in the revival of Sanskrit as well’.
Krishna DulalBarua, Critic, Translator, Musicologist, THE SENTINAL, Feb. 2, 2009.
5.‘The key aim of Ranjan is to establish Assamese music in
the national platform and make the people understand the aesthetic beauty of
it. It is undoubtedly a great initiative by Ranjan which will definitely
contribute towards the overall prosperity of the Indian cultural resources.’
Udit bhanu Borthakur, Journalist, writer, THE ASSAM TRIBUNE,
Dec. 15, 2006.
6. ‘Since the works of Sankardeva or Bhupen Hazarika have a
national or universal appeal, there has to be a way to make them a means to
generate a strong sense of nationalism. For this, Sanskrit seems to be the best
medium and Ranjan takes the privilege to render those classic numbers into that
language very successfully.’
THE TIMES OF INDIA, Nov. 19, 2008.
7. ‘I never felt so Indian in my life, yes, when I heard the
song, I had tears in my eyes. What a wonderful translation of ‘Sare Jahan Se
Accha’-‘Bharatiyam asmadim asmadiyam' !
D. Pandit, USA,
appreciating the Sanskrit 'Sare Jahan Se Accha' translated & sung by Ranjan
Bezbaruah, produced and published by DDnews, Delhi Doordarshan in 15th Aug.
2016.
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Compiled and published by Mayukhi Communication, Silpukhuri,
Guwahati 31
