GUWAHATI: They say love knows no age. True – for Dwipen Barua, a popular Assamese singer, life begins at 60 as he finally enters into wedlock after courting his ladylove for 33 long years.
Barua (61), a cultural icon of the state who shot to fame in late sixties as a teenage sensation, and his ladylove Syeda Jyotsna Rahman (59) tied the knot last week at a city hotel, much to the joys of Assamese cultural world. The marriage took place in the presence of only a few friends and relatives. He made it public only last night.
After legendary Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, Barua is Assam’s one of the evergreen singers. His songs have become part of Assam’s folklore and his love songs are eternal favourite for the Assamese romantic couples.
“How long will I wait? I told my elder brother Ramen Barua, one of Assam’s celebrated music directors, about my decision. He got so excited that he immediately told this to his wife and my nephew and nieces,” Barua said. The bride will come home after Ramzan, he added.
“This is the best news I have heard so far this year. My best wishes to them,” said Dr Hazarika from his Mumbai residence on being informed of the marriage by the media.
Barua met Jyotsna during the filming of popular Assamese film Taramai (1976). It was love at first sight but family compulsion was believed to have kept them at bay.
Their romance and patience was so inspiring that a number of films were made taking this as the theme.
“I can’t express how happy we all are for this. Everyone loves a love story. Dwipenda’s case is even more special,” said “Ye Ali” famed current heartthrob Zubeen Garg.
After spending a gypsy-like life for so many years, Barua informed that he would now have a new home at his ancestral place, Guwahati, and buy some worldly possessions.
“I think I deserve some basic facilities,” he said.
He added: “The formal rituals of the marriage would take place on September 21. This is a must because all my nephews, nieces and grandchildren are after me. It will be a strictly family affair with a few friends,” he signed off.