By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: A statue of Dr Bhupen Hazarika – a singer, composer, lyricist, music director and filmmaker from Assam – will be erected at the premises of Assam Club here in the city along with a yearly congregation of all communities said Manas Chaudhuri, MLA, 21st Mawprem Constituency.
Speaking on occasion of the 85th birth anniversary of Dr Hazarika, organized by Shillong Assamese Ladies Welfare Club at Assam Club, Chaudhuri said this is the first time such a programme is being organized here while expressing unhappiness over the presence of only Assamese audience in the function.
“Bhupen Da is not confined to Assam only, he is for the masses. He may have written in Assamese but his songs are about humankind,” he said.
Dr Hazarika, a recipient of Dadasaheb Phalke Award, has excelled in music, films, writing etc.
“What is left for him is a Bharat Ratna. Whatever he has composed will live in the minds of all for all time to come,” Chaudhuri added.
The Mawprem MLA who met Dr Hazarika quite a number of times spoke about his first meeting with him in the early ’70s here in the city.
“He is a very good person at heart. There cannot be another Bhupen Hazarika, not only from the northeast but in the entire country. I am privileged to have been born in this age when he is around,” Chaudhuri said while adding that Dr Hazarika shared a good relation with Shillong.
Meanwhile, Dr Hazarika’s brother Bolen Hazarika spoke about how Bhupen Da gave more stress on pronunciation. Bolen also spoke about the singer’s life and his first composition on Shankardeva in 1937.
“Paul Robson is his icon and his (Robson’s) song We are the in the same boat brother is his favourite,” said Balen.
Dr Utpal Hazarika presented a biography on the singer which spoke about his early career and higher education for which the singer went to Columbia University.
Apart from performances of Bhupen Da’s songs by various participants, a cake was also cut on the occasion to mark the 85th birth anniversary of the balladeer.
