How would you describe Nongmaithem Pahari as a person?
He was a fine gentleman, a good singer and a good administrator.
When did you become friends?
In the year 1957, I met him at D.M. College, Imphal.
kind of friend was he to you?
He was a friend in need.
Birds of the same feather flock together. You two were always together in your career in AIR and Doordarshan. What aspects of your personalities were similar?
Yes, through out our service career both of us were together in the same department, i.e., All India Radio and Doordarshan. The common aspects of our personalities were our interest in Music and Drama.
Any memorable incidents or moments with him that you want to share with us?
I still remember my first days in the college. I admired him as a singer. I was a candidate for Social and Music Secretaryship in the D.M. College Students Union in 1957. I had to sing to prove myself fit for the secretaryship, he helped me very much by singing on my behalf. I was elected. Next year in 1958, he contested for the same secretaryship. I helped him by singing on his behalf. He was also elected. He led a troupe for youth Festival at Bangalore the same year. He did not return. I also left for Allahabad for further studies. We met in 1965 at AIR Imphal. We worked together.
As we understand, you have a very high interest in music. Could you tell us something about your music?
My interest in Music had to be short-lived. As soon as I became Drama Producer, I had to pay more attention to Drama. I could not do much practice in Music. I had to produce 4 (four) Major plays of 60 minutes duration each; 1 (one) National Programme or play for 60/90 minutes and 4 (four) short plays of 15/20 minutes each, every month. So, I had to abandon my interest in Music. But still I sing for the Radio.
What are your favourite Nongmaithem Pahari numbers? Or is there any particular number that you love the most and any particular reason behind it?
I like most of his numbers. To name a few in order of my preference, No. 1 is “Ningshingli Meragi Thabaldo”, because the lyricist B. Jayantakumar Sharma depicts feminine character and modesty of a maiden in presence of her lover in a moon-lit-night of Kartika. The lyrical words, the tune and the vocal rendering are so beautifully matched to be a melodious musical composition. No. 2 – “Mitki Pirang Khamkhone choira shamlang khomjinkhone” again by B. Jayantakumar Sharma. The lyricist describes the agony of a girl who is separated from her lover. He consoles her to wipe her tears and do her hairs. Pahari had made it live and happened in the mind of every listener with his melodious voice. No. 3 – “Leeraba leikolgi khuiraba leirang” by Khumanthem Prakash.
As a producer, on what projects have you worked closely with him in AIR and Doordarshan?
We worked together for a Radio drama. He wrote a drama entitled “Eibusu Hinghallu” (Let me also live). I had to produce the play. Both of us work together day and night to produce the play. It was a successful production. I also sang many songs composed by him.
If Nongmaithem Pahari could receive your messages today, what would be your message to him?
Oh King of melody! Your magical voice has enchanted us for decades. Your untimely departure from our midst is an irreparable loss. It will take years to fill the vacuum left by you. We wish you to come back once again in another life with the same melodious voice to live for a century.
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