তুমি নহ’লে এই চহৰত নুফুলে বগেনভেলিয়া (Without you, bougainvillea does not bloom in this city) – This Assamese track has captured the hearts of millions across Assam and beyond, becoming a viral sensation on social media. Its poetic verses have sparked a creative wave, with fans sharing their bougainvillea-filled moments and embracing the warmth of spring through romantic reels and stunning selfies.
The song, which beautifully intertwines the elegance of bougainvillea, the fresh allure of spring, and the timeless essence of love, has quickly become the perfect soundtrack for those reflecting on life’s most cherished emotions. But the story behind this song is even more special.
As Paplu Chetia, the lyricist of the viral love song, shares, the song was born out of longing for someone special. “The song has a story,” Chetia begins with a smile. “I was on my way back to my rented house at Zoo Road, Guwahati, after a visit to the laundry shop. There is a shop just across from where I stay. As I was buying something, I noticed that the bougainvillea tree inside the campus of my house hadn’t bloomed – not a single flower on it. At that exact moment, someone special to me was also away from the city. That’s when the first line came to my mind: তুমি নহ’লে এই চহৰত নুফুলে বগেনভেলিয়া… and from there, the rest is history,” he shares.
“Bougainvillea, with its riot of colours and seemingly carefree nature, is a perfect example of nature’s ability to remind us of life’s fleeting yet beautiful essence. In the song, the flower is not a metaphor – it is as it is. The flower, with its explosion of colour, turns even the most barren, neglected corner into a celebration of life,” he explains further.
But perhaps the most compelling quality of bougainvillea is how it embraces impermanence. Bougainvillea flowers last for only a short while, reminding us that nothing in life is permanent – neither our struggles nor our moments of happiness. This transience, however, is what gives each bloom its significance, quips the lyricist of several hit numbers.
“Much like a season, a smile, or a fleeting memory, the beauty of a bougainvillea flower lies not in its longevity but in its immediacy. It encourages us to savour the present moment, to see the beauty in the now, before it drifts away like petals in the wind. The colours (read: memories) of the flowers (read: moments) stay in our lives forever. It’s as if they were always there – just as refreshing as it is,” Chetia reflects.
The Bougainvillea song is a collaborative project from ফাগুন: এজাক সুৰীয়া বতাহ, led by Chetia and Achurjya Borpatra. Sung by Borpatra and composed by Anshuraj Kashyap, the song was dropped on YouTube on March 4, 2025. Since its release, it has quickly gained massive popularity.
When asked about his process of writing lyrics, Chetia says, “Sometimes, I start with the composition, and other times, the lyrics come first. For Bougainvillea, it was the latter. Writing lyrics, for me, is all about observation – finding beauty in the little things around us. The moments, emotions, and details in everyday life are my biggest inspirations. Whether it’s a simple glance, a fleeting memory, or a passing breeze, everything can spark a thought or idea. I believe that poetry exists in everything, and that’s the essence I try to capture in my songs.”
Chetia shares that his cultural background plays a vital role in shaping his lyrics and is the backbone of his work. He mentioned that he can’t imagine himself or his music without the culture he grew up with in his native village in Sivasagar. He added that people often say he carries the village in his heart and eyes, which reflects in his songs.
“My roots in Assamese culture influence everything I write, from the imagery to the emotions. I try to infuse that essence into my lyrics, allowing my songs to serve as a window into my world and the world around me,” he adds.
When asked about how he collaborates with composers or singers when creating a song, Chetia responds, “I don’t usually write with a specific voice or musical style in mind. However, sometimes the demand for the song makes me think about who will be singing it. Over the years, I’ve written songs in various styles – from dark romance to soft romantic, from Bihu to reggae, and from peppy numbers to feel-good lofi tracks. I write based on the mood and theme, not a particular style or voice, unless the client has a specific request.”
Chetia mentioned that he has never really encountered writer’s block. He believes that creativity comes from observing life, that every little thing around us can be transformed into love, poetry, and, of course, music.
When asked about how his writing style has evolved, Chetia says, “Yes, with time I am learning more. But my debut as a lyricist, Mouno Uthot, remains one of my very favourites. That song is special to me because it marks the beginning of my journey. It reminds me of where it all started, and I often draw inspiration from that.”
Regarding the impact of platforms like YouTube and social media, Chetia acknowledges that they have helped his music reach a wider audience. However, he emphasized that he can’t depend on social media for success. He said that he doesn’t write for social media, but for listeners with good taste in music, who might share his work on social platforms, though it is not the main goal of his writing.
When asked about his upcoming projects, Chetia says with a smile, “A lot is on the plate, but until then, it’s still cooking.”
