Virasat - the folk life and heritage is a collage of the ethnic kaleidoscope of India's art and culture. The world's renowned exponents of various art forms showcase their genius in the fortnight-long festival. Though late in its commencement, Virasat 2009 was held at Dehradun, Uttarakhand from December 17 to 31.

Dance exponent Bhabananda Bar-bayan,who presently resides in Delhi, running an institute in the capital, took his troupe 'Satraranga' comprising his students, including foreigners, to Virasat to spread the name of Satriya dance, culture and heritage of Assam. The team had Niranjan, Mukunda, Soazic, Gargi and Brishti in dance, while Divakar

Das, Vinay Kumar, Nishant Mishra and Reem Pathak accompanied in music. While the team members enthused one and all with their various Satriya recitals, Adhyapak Barbayan performed a pure dance number in his self-composed choreography on the song Madhu Danava written by Sankardeva, to the applause of the audience.

In the midst of the rush of Bihu-based audio albums, Diplip Dipamoni, presented by KD Production, has been drawing special attention of Assamese music lovers due to songs, mostly in original form, sung in duet by Zubeen Garg and Dipamoni Baishya. It is the first of its kind and Zubeen has lent his voice for all eight songs, that, too, in duet style. They are ably supported by Mousam, Chayanika, Neer and Priyanka.

The songs are written and tuned by Biman Barua, Jayanta Sonowal, Mousam Gogoi and Sonit Gogoi, and appropriately arranged by music composer Mousam Gogoi. The video CD of Diplip Dipamoni has also hit the stands recently, with choreography by Uday Shankar and Gitika Dutta. A good number of popular artistes - Aangurlata, Jupitora, Prosenjit, Shyamantika, Akashdip, Bhagawat Pritam - feature in the video.

Incidentally, Dipamoni Baishya has made her mark as a singer with a string of performances to her credit. A sangeet visharad, and a master degree holder in Assamese, she has been singing in All India Radio and

Doordarshan, Guwahati. A recipient of Jyotirupa Media Award for the best theme song of TV serial, she has sung for several cassettes since 1992. Her album Kalyania, released in 1994, achieved immense popularity, in which she sang duets with Dr Bhupen Hazarika. She is well versed in both modern and folk songs, besides classical.

Bihu-based video albums Jontora and Palash have been received well by the culture lovers of the State. Produced by Ashok Kumar Dutta and Deva Kishan, the video films have two beautiful love stories, supported by soulful Bihu numbers.

Both the videos have been directed by Pranabjyoti Bharali, with stories by Ashok Kumar Dutta. Jontora has music by Biman Barua and Manoj Bora, while Palash is musically designed by Manoj Bora and Hemanta Bhuyan. The songs have been rendered by Zubeen Garg, Bornali Kalita and Tarali Sarma, while the cast includes Utpal Das, Paul Phukan, Lipika, Priyanka, among others.

Navabarsha Mahotsav, a five-day programme to celebrate the new year, was organised by the Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra Samaj from January 1 to 5. The five day's programmes were dedicated to the five legendary figures - Moghai Oja, Kamini Narzary, Kalamoni Handique, Ganesh Chandra Gogoi and Moazzin Ali. The programmes included a number of traditional items - dhol badon of different types, Bodo, Mising, Rabha, Tiwa, Karbi dances, a variety of indigenous songs like the thiyonam, tokari geet, zikir and bianam, modern songs and mimicry. Meanwhile, an art exhibition of artists drawn from the seven states of the North East is also being held, which will continue till February 1.

The Fourth Foundation Day of Shruti - an institution of Hindustani classical, Borgeet, and traditional music of Assam was held at Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra, Guwahati on January 19. Inaugurating the programme, celebrated Punjabi writer Dev Bharadwaj dwelt at length on the importance of music and its impact on life and society. Swapnanil Barua released Devashruti, an anthology on Indian classical music, while Kirtikamal Bhuyan released the souvenir Shruti. Dr Aparna Bujarbaruah participated as the guest of honour. The function commenced with a Borgeet, followed by group singing of the students - titled Harkirat Kalsi, play with Swar Ragmala and Ji Aayaa Nu, a welcome song. Joyprakash Medhi, the guest artiste presented vocals. The entire programme was conducted by Parinita Goswami, the head of Shruti.