By Peter Alex Todd

Guwahati, Oct.3 (ANI): Assamese artists recently brought laurels to the State and the country by winning medals at the Seoul Drum festival.

Their success has projected the unique quality of the folk music of Assam in the international arena.

Assamese artiste Somnath Bora and Dr Prasanna Gogoi made people in the State proud, by winning medals in individual and group categories at the Seoul Drum Festival held in South Korea.

While Bora has won the gold medal in individual drum beating, Dr Gogoi has won silver in individual string instrument playing.

Somnath Bora is the first folk artist of India, to have won a Gold medal at the international level. He played the Asomiya dhol, a folk drum and his music’s “simplicity and innocence” won over a large number of listeners.

The competition was a tough one with around 56 countries participating,

“I’m really happy that I was able to win the gold medal for the first time for India. This will help in promoting the rich cultural heritage of Assam and inspire the younger generation,” said Somnath Bora, who won the Gold and Silver medals.

“The competition among the 56 countries is very tough. We never thought that we would get the medal. Our performance was artistic way and we got the medal. We now realize that our culture is rich and we could show it to the world. We want to tell our younger generation, please don’t give up our own culture.”

To promote music of the folk dhols, Somnath organizes workshops across Assam. His dream now is to pass on his passion to his son, Sapnanil Ranjan Bora who is currently undergoing vigorous training under him.

Following his father’s footsteps, Sapnanil dreams of popularising folk music and gain recognition worldwide.

“I am learning Dhol so that I can perform like my father and achieve recognition. I want to show the world that our folk music is one of the best,” said Sapnanil Ranjan Bora, son of Somnath Bora.

Somnath Bora and Dr Prasanna Gogoi were felicitated by the Cultural Department, Government of Assam in Guwahati.

A large number of people who enjoyed their performance thanked them for bringing laurels to the State. (ANI)