Bhupen, Zubeen songs become protest anthems

GUWAHATI: As thousands of people in Assam take to the streets to voice their opposition to the amended citizenship law, old icon Bhupen Hazarika and newer idol Zubeen Garg have helped the protests find a tune.
Biswa Bijoyee Naujowan by Hazarika is sung by people during protests against the contentious Citizenship Act, besides Jai Aai Axom (Glory to Mother Assam), a powerful song of the state that has now become the rallying cry of the movement.
At a tea stall in Chandmari or a paan shop in Ganeshguri in Guwahati, people can be seen listening to Garg’s famous songs like Maya or Politics Nokoriba Bondhu on mobile phones.
Garg, 47, who is now one of the most vocal faces of the movement against the contentious citizenship law, says culture is a very integral part of any person’s or community’s identity.
“This movement is also about our Assamese identity, driven by our ancient culture and traditions, clothes, food, language and songs,” Garg told PTI.
“Youths and women of Assam are our major strength in this agitation against the CAA. And, together we sing songs during protests, infusing energy into each other.”
While the agitation in Assam against the contentious law seeks its revocation, many protesters said they have joined the movement because of perceived fear of Assamese culture “getting subjugated” in the wake of influx of Bangladeshi immigrants to the state.
“We don’t want to become a cultural or linguistic minority in our own home state. In the past, Bengali language had been imposed on Assamese, and we fear it might happen again in future,” said film-maker Garima Garg.
“So, this movement is also driven by an urge to safeguard our cultural legacy. And, I am happy so many youths have joined it.”
“We are not being anti-Bengali, we have read Rabindranath Tagore and we even have a Rabindra Bhawan in Guwahati. But, we are just worried about our own culture,” she said.
Garima, wife of Zubeen Garg, feels the agitation against the Citizenship Act has brought people of Assam, especially the youth, closer to their culture.
From Latasil playground to Chandmari grounds, two major centres of protests in Guwahati, a large number of artistes, wearing gamosas, have joined the movement, singing songs to show dissent.
Besides the Gargs, several other personalities from the music, arts and film fraternity, including actors Barsha Rani Bishaya, Prastuti Parashar and Nishita Goswami, and singers Krishnamoni Chutia, Dikshu and Manas Robin, have vocally supported the movement and taken part in various protests.
Jai Aai Axom and Biswa Bijoyee Naujowan were two of the major songs performed by artistes on stage at these venues and even in marches by Guwahati advocates recently, the lawyers had sung the Bhupen Hazarika classic to register their protest against the citizenship law.
Chinmoy Deka, 18, a college student, said while the youth of Assam are aware of their art, culture and heritage, the movement has “definitely augmented” the knowledge about the state’s cultural legacy and iconic personalities. (PTI)