My journey to Karbi Anglong and BEATS CONTEST 2009

I think this is my eleventh attempt to write my blog on the recently concluded Karbi Anglong Beats Contest. Whenever I make up my mind to write, some distractions usually surround me, at times in the form of Miffy or Muffin, at times food, at times boredom and yes of course sleep. But finally today I have decided to pen down my thoughts before venturing into anything (even if its in the form of dark fantasy with chocolate sauce or Caramel Popcorn, hah!)
I met Aiyushman a week before the Karbi Anglong beats contest. In our so called meeting we discussed everything but the documentary on the beats contest 2009. I first met Aiyushman sometimes in the month of March 2009 in his office as I went there to give a write up on Joshua. On that day I barely interacted with him. After that I did see him couple of times in the local music concerts and rock gigs, but never exchanged more than just a smile or a hi.

For so many years I knew Aiyushman as a sincere journalist who is the features editor of The Sentinel. He is this really cute chubby cheeked guy (not too many guys like to be associated with the word “cute” and Aiyush is no exception here!!!). We had quite a meaningful conversation on different aspects of life. He is someone with a lot of substance unlike a lot of hollow and fake human beings I interact with everyday (well.. no pun intended)

I reached the Railway Station little ahead of my scheduled time. I was super excited about my journey to Karbi Anglong as this was my second train journey in life. Met Aiyush, Morningkeey ( another interesting character…I shall talk later about him), Sukanya ba and the rest of the gang outside the station and we proceeded towards the platform to board the train. All most 20 of us were traveling together towards our destination Diphu to witness the Karbi Anglong Beats Contest. Dark Horizon, Brutal Agitation and Death On The Horizon (D.O.T.H) - these 3 bands were the guests bands who will perform at the Beats Contest.

Not very often we realize the beautiful place we live in. Assam is literally an uncrowned jewel and its pristine and untouched beauty in terms of its culture, landscapes and traditions is remarkable. While the train moved crossing peddy fileds, misty mountains, lush green jungles I realized how blessed I am to be able to witness the breathtaking beauty of my place. Northeast is indeed a paradise unexplored. Now I genuinely feel that I have many more reasons to stay back in Assam..huh 

So finally reached Karbi Anglong and checked in into the govt. guest house. I shared the room with Susan-a journalist from Dimapur. By the time I reached the guest house I was famished and I had SUNGA PORK (didn’t bother at all about my pimples…but later I cribbed and I cribbed and cribbed)

The beats contest kicked off at around 4 pm, as a part of Rontheyang Festival of Karbi Anglong. 10 local bands were fighting their battle for the Karbi Anglong Beats Contest 2009 winner’s trophy. The quality of the musician was really amazing and worth a remark. The beats contest was organized by Eastern Beats Music Society in association with Rontheyang club. The contest was held in memory of the people who lost their lives in the serial bomb blasts of Assam on the 30th Oct. 2008. It was a tribute to those innocent souls who lost their lives.

Aiyushman asked me anchor the beats contest and the peace march. I was not at all prepared for the show, so I had to let do with a pair of shorts, a t shirt and a pair of boots. And the worst part was that I didn’t have my Mac and Clinique make up products with me…booo hooo hooo. But I managed to look gorgeous anyway…(when I am writing this blog you must remember that my self esteem was really high.. )

I started on a very emotional note and narrated the devastation of that dreadful day of 30th Oct. 2008. “Mothers lost their sons, children lost their fathers, for some families life simply stopped moving, maybe their sole bread winner of the family fell a victim in those blasts. More than 150 people died for no fault of theirs. Poor daily wage laborers and vendors were packing their stuffs to go back home to be with their family, wife, their children. Hoping to provide the best things possible to their family. Those fathers never returned home. Lives of many were shattered. Their dreams and hopes died an untimely death. 30th Oct. 2008, a day which can not be erased out from the minds of anyone living in Assam. Violence and terrorism are not new to us. But violence of such intensity has definitely shaken us. Through this musical journey we want to tell the whole world that Music is the universal language we all need to speak and not violence. Music has the power to bring communities together. Music is not confined to any region or community; it speaks the language of the soul”.

The peace march began when 5000 candles went up in the air to pay homage to the victims of the Assam serial bomb Blasts. For me it was truly a touching moment, when I saw people literally in tears, specially the youngsters. It left me with a feeling of hope for my state. I felt as if through music we will be able to heal the world, as if through music we will be able to overcome our insurgency and terrorism problem.