Jorhat: Songs recorded in Mising language are a rarity.

A recently-released CD titled Eddi:í Ayadé, (Is this love?), containing five songs in Mising sung in mellifluous tune by budding artiste Puspalata Mili is, therefore, a collector’s item.

The media director of Institution for Culture And Rural Development (I-CARD), an NGO in Bagchung here, Mili hails from Tokowbari in Sonitpur district of Assam and is often invited by Sangeet Natak Akademi to perform in different parts of the country.

She has led troupes to Gujarat, Delhi, Varanasi and Mumbai besides places in the Northeast on invitations by the Akademi. Mili, now in her late twenties, said her battle with life started when she was barely 10-year-old as she lost both her parents.

Later, with hardly any support, she resigned to a life of failure, until I-CARD showed her glimmer of hope. It showed her how to face life with courage and persuaded her to proceed with her studies until she completed her masters in computer and journalism from Kannur University in Kerala.

The CD depicts the stories of her battle with life. The lyrics are heart-rending. The music pierces the inner realms of the listener. People across Assam, be they Mising or otherwise, cannot resist the Oi Ni:tom melodies – the flavour of folk songs which speak of their sorrows, joys, longings and romanticism.

Eddi:í Ayadé, is essentially a compilation of oi ni:tom – of a life and love, struggle and hardship. Mili has engaged Mousum Gogoi to lend his voice to one of her compositions. Eddi:í Ayadé was recorded at Studio Eden by Pranjal Pradip Bhorali. Mili has taken the first step in turning professional about her work.

Another album, Junak, a collection of Assamese love songs, is nearing completion. Mili also has to her credit two other recordings produced by I-CARD.

Mili did her MA studies in journalism at Don Bosco Arts and Science College, Kannur. She completed the course with flying colours and returned to Assam to work as a volunteer at an NGO called I-CARD (Institution for Cultural and Rural Development)founded by Salesian Father K.A. Thomas to spread the lights of education and knowledge among Mising tribal people.

(This appeared in The Telegraph on Feb. 19, 2016)