Dr. Bhupen Hazarika and his attachment with Meghalaya

Dr. Bhupen Hazarika is not only a revered figure in Assam, but also equally revered in Meghalaya. The people who came in touch with him in one way or another still keep such glorious, delightful and nostalgic memories alive in their hearts.

Dr. Bhupen Hazarika (1926-2011)

The main purpose of this short article is to highlight his love towards and attachment with the people of Meghalaya. Also it is a small step towards educating the new generation about Bhupen Hazarika’s contribution in showcasing the culture and tradition of the people of Meghalaya, particularly the Khasis with the outside world during 50’s, 60’s and 70’s.

Dr. Hazarika was not merely a singer, but was a humanist. Most of his unforgettable songs carry the message of love and unity. His songs reflect the colourful culture of the tribes of the then great undivided Assam. In one of the songs he talks about the age-old relationship between Assamese and Khasis. Comparing both, he beautifully describes about the commonness in many avenues of rural lifestyles. I couldn’t help but to share this beautiful creation for greater perception which has been transliterated keeping the meaning and aesthetic sense as nearest as possible -

With drum beats

With the warmth of hearts

With the unseen thread of attachment

Let’s embrace the Great Syiem of the hills.

At wet Cherrapunjee

In the wetness of the sky

The way the generous cloud

Embraces our great ‘Luit’

Krishna cowboys play the ‘Bahi’

Khasi cowboys play the ‘Sharati’

Both the flutes made up of bamboo

Both express the same melody

Tall pine trees with green leaves

Our ‘Ahat’, too, reflects the same hue

‘Bnei’ or ‘Jone’ in the hills and plains

Blesses us with same moonlit night

By cultivating the red hills

Khasi farmers work day and night

In the plains, too, thousands of Rangmon

Represent the same farmers.

One of his most romantic numbers entitled ‘Shilongore godhuli’ (The Evening of Shillong) carries deep rooted meaning bringing alive the beauty of a young Khasi maiden and the beauty of the nature in the hills. He shared his affection towards the dew drops gracefully falling down from a ‘diengsie’ leaf. He was awe inspired when darkness slowly engulfed a tiny village in Meghalaya.

His another number ‘Shilongore Monalisa’ (Monalisa of Shillong), which he beautifully composed and sang alongwith his brother late Jayanta Hazarika, was one of the most remarkable songs where he describes about an imaginary Khasi damsel Monalisa Lyngdoh highlighting the ability to play guitar – a sign of culturally active people of Meghalaya.

Lien Makao – his another golden number, is a duet with Manna Dey and one of the most popular songs of the film ‘Pratidhwani’. The song carries the message of love and brotherhood among the people of Meghalaya. Similarly many of his creations carry the message of unity among the people of hills and plains.

He had a far reaching plan to create a common archive cum museum where songs of different tribes of the North-east would be preserved. He mentioned about the rich musical tradition of the Khasis, Jaintias, Garos, Hajongs etc in his songs, journals and interviews.

In the year 1970, Bhupen Hazarika won as an independent M.L.A. and placed in Shillong – the capital of undivided Assam. He was accommodated in the Room No. 33 at Pinewood Hotel, Shillong. It was the glorious moment for the people of Assam and Meghalaya. He did his best to develop the prevailed situation of rich musical traditions of Assam and the Khasis.

His brother and ex-professor of St. Anthony’s College, Sri Balen Hazarika still remembers the day and said to me once, “Bhupen da was the MLA and it was a moment of joy for his family members as well as fans. I along with many friends used to visit the assembly hall regularly just to witness the interesting yet unforgettable debates by the ministers and MLAs including Bhupen da. Bhupen da was always vocal about the importance of preserving the age-old traditions of our people and expected that the government would do their best and offer financial support for projects like the creation of an archive, Jyoti Chitraban, etc.”

The leading personalities among the Khasi intellectuals and thinkers like Dr. Helen Giri, Chesterfield Khongwir, etc. extended their full support and cooperation to Dr. Hazarika by helping him in showcasing Khasi cultural heritage in various occasions particularly outside of North-east India. Their commendable work in the ‘21st Banga Sanskriti Sanmilani’ was an unforgettable experience for thousands of audiences who thronged the venue to witness the colourful cultural heritage of the seven sisters where Dr. Hazarika’s role as the head of the northeast troupe as well as the interpreter of the entire programme is a matter to be specially referred to.

Dr. Hazarika was a successful film and music director. He directed a number of films in Assamese, Bengali and Hindi. In most of the films, that he directed, he himself was the script writer, lyricist, and music director. He directed some remarkable TV serials, too. His films were highly acclaimed and he was nominated as the best music director several times in his life. One of his unforgettable films was ‘Pratidhwani’ in 1964. It was a romantic film based on the life and culture of the Khasis. The same was dubbed into Khasi as ‘Ka Sharati’ which brought laurels to the state by receiving the Silver medal from the President of India. Further, the film was invited to the International Film Festival held in France in the same year. Dr. Hazarika had to work hard to collect money to make the film. He used to travel from one village to another along with his only God gifted property – the sweet and powerful voice. After this film he became a loving hero among the Khasis.

Dr. Hazarika used to perform at different concerts and events throughout Meghalaya including Garo hills; mostly to raise funds for noble causes like opening of a school, orphanage etc. Once in the ‘Laban Bihu Sanmilan’ the then people’s leader professor R. H. Lyngdoh emotionally hugged Dr. Hazarika and regretted saying, “Bhupen is better known outside than in the northeast.” This is partially true. Many of his evergreen compositions carry the message of love and unity among the people of northeast depicting their age-old relationship. But most of them are written and composed in Assamese and later translated into some other major Indian languages. Further, no significant steps are taken to translate his songs into other major languages of the Northeast. Local media is also responsible for that.

Dr. Hazarika had written a number of articles where he mentioned about the people and culture of Meghalaya. He had deep knowledge about the cultural heritage of the tribes of Meghalaya. Theoretically he knew all the nukes of Nongkrem and other dance forms as well as the traditional dances of Garos and Jaintias.

Today, at this time of social disorder and misunderstanding, Dr. Hazarika will remain an inspiration for thousands who are craving for peace and brotherhood. I have a firm belief that if his songs and other creations are correctly translated into different languages of the North-east and also if the new generation singers carry the deep meaningful messages of his songs, the negative attitudes of life will minimize to a great extent. Being a disciple of Paul Robeson and a person of principle he has proved many times through his powerful songs that ‘GAAN’ (music), and not ‘GUN’, can be the ideal and the cheapest instrument to fight against all social evils. Dr. Hazarika was an optimist and his songs reflect the same. Praising the monumental treasure work of U Soso Tham he said, “…Great people come once to the world to leave their foot prints through their golden creations. ‘Ka Duitara Ksiar’ is one among them….”

Bhupen Hazarika had a sense of humour. Once someone in America asked him the meaning of his name, he said, “‘Bhu’ means the earth in Assamese. I am the ‘pen’ of the ‘earth’.” Though the statement was comical, it best fitted him.

Truly, his writings reflect the love, happiness, miseries and sorrows of the mass. His songs have a universal appeal. Through his immortal creations he has proved that the pen is mightier than the sword. He is no more today, but his golden voice will forever act as the guiding force resonating peace and harmony among the people of different culture when racial and religious intolerance have reached the extremum.

By - Ankur Deka
Email: ankur1966@gmail.com
 

Priyamvada Patel Hazarika (wife of Bhupen Hazarika) paying her respect to Dr. Hazarika at a function in Guwahati, Assam

Assam celebrates Bhupen Hazarika's b’day

Dr. Bhupen Hazarika (1926-2011)

GUWAHATI, Sept 7 – Around 5,000 people from different walks of life will render in unison Dr Bhupen Hazarika’s timeless number Manuhe manuhor babe at the Sarusajai Stadium tomorrow, as the State braces to give a fitting tribute to the music maestro on his birthday.

This will be the maestro’s first birthday after his demise in November last year.

Sadiya in Tinsukia district – the birthplace of Dr Hazarika and the easternmost tip of the State – will host the central birthday function.

City-based event management group, J Creations, is organizing the musical evening at Sarusajai, while many other organizations including the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) are also celebrating the occasion in the city as also elsewhere.

“We expect some 5,000 people from across the State to sing Manuhe manuhar babe in unison at Sarusajai tomorrow. It is a homage to the singing legend, and also an attempt to use the universal appeal of his songs to usher in peace and harmony in the testing times faced by the State today,” the organizers said. A host of luminaries from the State’s musical arena will add to the grandeur of the musical evening.

The AASU will observe the evening titled ‘Uddipana’ at Dighalipukhuripar before the statue of the singer from 6 pm. The best singers from one college in each of the districts of Assam, and the best singers of the universities, will render evergreen numbers of Dr Hazarika at the function.

Cultural group Jajabor will be holding another musical evening at the Swahid Udyan at Chandmari before the statue of folk maestro Pratima Pandey who had a close association with Dr Hazarika. Several prominent singers will render a wide array of songs – including many rare gems — from the vast repertoire of songs of both Dr Hazarika and Pratima Pandey.

The Gauhati Commerce College which begins its golden jubilee celebrations tomorrow has dedicated the first day’s programme to Dr Hazarika.

- The Assam Tribune

Dr. Bhupen Hazarika to be Conferred Padma Vibhushan

Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, legendary composer and lyricist from Assam will be conferred the Padma Vibhushan, India's second highest civilian award, for his remarkable contribution to the realm of Arts.

Dr. Bhupen Hazarika (middle) with his son Tej Hazarika (right)
and grandson Sage (left)

Tej Hazarika, son of the deceased musician, has shared a press release stating that he will be accepting the honour on behalf of his father from the President of India at the Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi, on March 22, 2012. The award will be brought to Assam for safekeeping in the museum dedicated to Dr. Hazarika situated at Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra (SSK) at Guwahati.

He also shared the extract of Rajya Sabha’s mourning proceedings honouring Dr. Hazarika on his demise, dated the 22nd of November, 2011.

Tej Hazarika is currently collaborating with a group of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika’s followers to establish a foundation aimed at fostering the great musician’s legacy.

- Press Release

Dr. Bhupen Hazarika’s Legacy

(A press release by Tej Hazarika, son of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika)

As the only son of my father the late Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, I have called this press conference to issue a statement concerning the extremely important work of preserving the legacy of my father.

But first, on behalf of my family, I wish to thank:

Tej Hazarika with Dr. Bhupen Hazarika

The people of Assam and all the North Eastern States for their outpouring of condolence for myself and my family – who continue to hold him as their very own feeling a profound sense of loss and grief due to his passing from our dimension. We are extremely grateful to the huge and peaceful outpouring of citizens and the patience with which so many people endured from upwards of 8 hours standing on the line to see Bhupenda’s body at Judge’s Field Guwahati.

I also wish to thank the following people: 

1. The Honorable President, The Prime Minister and the leader of the opposition of India.

2. Sri. Tarun Gogoi, the Chief Minister of Assam and all his cabinet colleagues including Smt. Pranoti Phukon, Minister of Cultural Affairs, Sri. Himanta Biswa Sarma, Minister of Health and Sri. Robin Bordoloi, MLA of East Guwahati constituency and members of the opposition parties.

3. Prof. Akhil Kumar Medhi, Vice Chancellor and the Students, Staff and Administration of the Gauhati University for donating their land for the cremation.

4. The Governors and Chief Ministers of the Seven Sister States.

5. The Adviser, President, Secretary and all members of the All Assam Students’ Union.

6. Members of the bureaucracy, the Police Department, municipal works, district administration of Guwahati and members of the legal fraternity.

7. Members of Parliament Sri. Murli Manohar Joshi and Sri. Rahul Gandhi.

8. Sri. Bhubaneshwer Kalita, MP and president of APCC and Sri. Sarbananda Sonowal.

9. The doctors and nursing staff of Kokilaben Ambani hospital who held tireless vigil during his long and valiant struggle to regain his health, Jayshree, his long time loving maid, Bahadur, his driver, Bharati, his cook in Tollygunge, and Prabhat, his cook and help at Nijorapar.

10. Members of the Television and print media for their respectful attention and help during this difficult period.

11. Last but not the least, numerous bearers of heartfelt condolences from numerous civic and private organizations as well as individuals, which parties I cannot address all by name here.

There have been many suggestions in the media regarding this important work ahead of us, and in that regard I have heard of a trust, in my father’s name. I am not a part of it and know little about except what I have heard in random sound bytes that seem more intent on holding on to control of my father’s estates than any plans to preserve the legacy of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika. I have never had any business dealings with my father’s estate nor have I received any trust deed after my father’s passing. Given the public nature of my father’s work, I think that deed should be public information. Names of a board of trustees has been floated on stationary without any consultation with his significant immediate family members including myself. However, knowing what I know and having listened very closely to many knowledgeable elders and contemporaries of my father who have expressed deep concern to me personally regarding the leadership of that so called board that I have no choice now but to make this public statement in order to protect my father’s legacy so that it may properly benefit future generations without it being mired in controversy and gross representations.

The health of a living body is sustained by the head and if that head is ill, the rest of the body will suffer. In my father’s case, because of the extraordinary connection he has with his fans and followers, the health of any principal organization upholding my father’s legacy into the future is a matter that is of deep importance to all people of Assam and the North East. I wish to stress here that I have refrained from making any critical statements about this matter out of respect for my father when he was alive. Now that my father is no more on this plane I am now making this statement that basically amounts to saying that I have zero trust in the trust announced in my father’s name to ‘preserve his legacy’.

I begin with a warning about misbehavior. Because your feelings for my father run deep, you may find some of what I reveal here to be disturbing. My father had a fiery temperament and would not suffer fools lightly, but deep down, he was through and through a pacifist, a deeply sensitive and compassionate soul who would strongly condemn and indeed be deeply saddened by a single violent act or abusive speech directed personally towards a single person who is part of this trust or connected to it.

We have collectively witnessed a high order of peaceful civil behavior in the throngs that amassed in grieving following his death. Though passions run deep among our people, not one person was hurt and all were and still are united peacefully over my father. The whole world witnessed the truth that our people, educated on not, are sensitive and civilized people at heart. The manner of their collective bereavement alone will please my father and encourage him, I believe, to return to us, in some way, to continue his work among us instead of remaining sequestered in some man projected ‘eternal’ god-realm, to be worshiped and pined for, as an icon alone. He was far more evolved and too much of an activist to settle down in some indolent retirement ashram for gods dishing out blessings and contracts to his worshipers.

Since my father’s brain stroke in 2005 and his subsequent losing struggle, in part due to his compromised health, it has been intimated in statements emanating from that so-called trust, that 95 percent of my father’s present day fame was all due to their management of his career. During this period when my father was becoming increasingly handicapped, talk of the formation of a trust to own and perpetuate his legacy were floated by excluding his former close associates, patrons and family who had helped him build his reputation throughout the 50’s, 60, and 70’s. It is common knowledge that by the end of the 60’s my father had already established himself as a creative giant in the North East, West Bengal and Bangladesh. Meanwhile, these past 6 years, my father, by all accounts of those close to him, was incapable of making crucial executive decisions and delegated them to people around him. I believe that some people may have profited from my father’s physical, mental and psychological disability during this period till his expiration.

Towards the end of his life my father was subjected to a lot of negative criticism from various angles due to the way he was made to act – again, by the people with vested interests. Furthermore, my father Dr. Bhupen Hazarika had to face neglect and humiliation from people near and far to him. Indeed, my father was helpless in the extreme as he was ruthlessly blocked from the loving, healing hands and words of his followers, which forced deprivation, I believe plunged him into intense depression, alienation and a disconnect from reality and hastened him toward his demise. But what he left behind as a legacy, eclipsed all negativity and brought the entire community of Assam and North East India together. Preserving and propagating his legacy is a heavy responsibility only to be shouldered by a group of people who are serious and selfless. In my opinion the current trust in his name does not embody any of these qualities.

What follows is a list of reasons why I believe that in no way or form is this so-called trust fit to represent my father’s legacy anywhere, anytime henceforth.

The most unique characteristic of my father’s genius is that his extraordinary melody, meter and golden voice were only a medium for his vision and words which embody a profound global appeal of the highest order. His music, which he is largely popular for across the board, is in actuality only the exquisite embroidery on the enchanting tapestry of his poetry and lyrics. He was able to embed his words in the hearts of the salt of the earth even if they may not knowledgeably appreciate the relative highness of his prose and message because it appealed to their emotional core. The marrow of his work remained un-translated into other Indian and other major language groups including English, I contend, not because it was ‘difficult’ to translate but because of gross neglect. Only recently, barely three months before his parinirvana, did a major publication with only a small portion of his work, originally in Assamese, appeared in English. Any literati of the highest order would deem his work way above ‘sufficient’ to be nominated for a Nobel Prize in literature. It would have elevated both the North East and the Assamese language in the world. It never happened in his lifetime and millions never found out about Dr. Bhupen Hazarika. Instead, millions of people were deprived of the joy, education and emotional maturation that his work is capable of triggering in the human unconscious, universally.

B. It is common knowledge that the other great heritage of my father is that of peace-maker, social reformer and protector of the weak in this region. In my view every member of a trust upholding his legacy should have a sensitive and sympathetic appreciation for the complex psyche of the people of the North East. My father proved over and over that he embodied those attributes by acting as peacemaker and that that the pen was indeed mightier than the sword.

C. All his life Dr. Bhupen Hazarika has always been a tireless advisor, leader and teacher to numerous cultural, literary and social upliftment groups, guiding them directly and indirectly with sensitivity and compassion. This activity, I believe should also be one of the central aspects of any trust formed around Bhupen Hazarika. In fact, besides maintenance, earnings from the sale of my father’s intellectual properties should be applied to fund various philanthropic objectives near and dear to my father. My father was a man of the people, never turned his back on them and in fact always protected them in practice and in his works. Anyone representing his legacy should safeguard the avenues of opportunity put in place for the poor, downtrodden and the oppressed in order to help them break out of unjust institutions of inequity. Indeed no portion of the trust’s assets should be used to make commercial properties with quick profit but rather to further the true and legitimate objectives of the trust.

On the report that was published on Nov 19th in an Assamese daily, the so-called trust made a statement implying that they have taken upon themselves the responsibility of preserving the purity of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika’s music and lyrics. From what they have said, it seems that the people of Assam will not have free access and right to even perform, record and enjoy the creations of the man upon whom they showered all their love and devotion for the past many decades. Dr. Bhupen Hazarika’s songs themselves celebrate freedom and were created for and by the people. These songs belong to the people of Assam and not any individual or organization.

In the wake of my father’s passing a miraculous window of possibilities lie ahead of us to elevate our collective visions a few notches higher, to our mutual benefit. Deeply concerned by the draconian possessive statements emanating from this trust I see a grave danger of, essentially, a kidnapping of the great body of work that was actually written just to help people free themselves from their fetters. In order to prevent this from happening the family and I have decided to form a legitimate foundation that, besides preserving and spreading the legacy of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, will also use its financial and social capital to promote the true legacy of my Father which would go far beyond the distribution of his songs and writing.

Our Foundation’s advisors and trustees, besides comprising of family members and myself, will consist of personalities from diverse ethnic communities and social organizations and will transcend state borders to include leaders from other Northeast Indian States as well. Our foundation will reach out to all my father's older friends, collaborators and well wishers throughout the 50’s 60’s and 70’s who have been alienated from him all these years. We look forward to the support of all such groups in our humble but noble efforts in carrying the legacy of ‘Xudhakontho’ forward and upwards.

Thank you,

- by Tej Hazarika

Bard of Brahmaputra’s Funeral Creates World Record

Legendary composer and singer Dr. Bhupen Hazarika’s funeral creates world record with the highest gathering of mourners paying tributes, over two days; though, Michael Jackson memorial service holds record as the most watched funeral on television.

Photo Courtesy - JCCNEWSTV.COM

 

As recorded in Wikipedia, the wiki structured online encyclopaedia, Dr. Hazarika’s funeral was attended by 5 (five) lacs people and watched by 30 (thirty) lacs people on Television.

Born in Sadiya, Assam, on 8th Sept, 1926, Dr. Bhupen Hazarika was a noted music director, playwright, actor, journalist, author, lyricist, poet, politician and film-maker of the highest repute. He was known for his crisp baritone voice and flawless diction. He started his music career by writing and singing his first song at the age of 10 and working for the second Assamese film, Indramalati (Dir - Jyoti Prasad Agarwala), in 1939, when he was 12 years old.

Hazarika died on November five in Mumbai and his body lay in state at the historic Judges Field for two days from the night of November 7 for people to pay their homage before cremation on November 9.

Dr. Hazarika’s funeral has made it to Wikipedia’s notable funerals representing historical funerals, based on both the number of attendants and estimated television.

The list includes, among others, the funerals of Elvis Presley, Lady Diana Pope John Paul II, Martin Luther King Jr, Joseph Stalin, Joseph Tito, John Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, Ayatollah Khomeini, Ayatollah Montazeri, Benigno Aquino, C R Annadurai and Aryton Senna.

-by Parmita Borah / Jim Ankan Deka

Other Dr. Bhupen Hazarika articles - Assamese Maestro Turns 86 ; Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, the Legend of Assam ; Dr. Bhupen Hazarika - the Great Ballad Singer of India

Dr. Bhupen Hazarika - the Great Ballad Singer of India

Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, the Assamese Maestro who represented Assam in the world music scenario, passed away on Saturday, Nov 5,2011, in Mumbai at 4.37 P.M. He was 85 years old. He is considered the last of the great ballad singers in India and one of the greatest singers of all time.

As arrangement for last rites of the mortal remains for Dr. Bhpuen Hazarika inside the premises of Guwahati University progresses, thousands of people amass at the Judges Field in Guwahati, Assam to pay their last respects to the bard of Brahmaputra.

The state governments of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh have declared Nov 8, 2011, as state mourning to Dr. Hazarika. Arunachal Pradesh remembers this legendary musician for his association with the state that began four decades ago. His early songs like Hamara Arunachal embody the spirit of the land and its people and compositions like 'Kata jawanar mritu hol' referred to the 1962 Chinese aggression.

Mourners from Bollywood too have extended their condolences for his unfortunate demise. Popular singer Shaan commented “Bhupenda's humility and simplicity were second to none. He was never in a hurry, always accommodating. He had a childlike gaze. We once had a beer at Kolkata airport. I thought it was really cool. I have lots of warm memories .When we were recording, he would never impose his views. He would patiently guide us through the song. He was always smiling and kept everyone around him comfortable”.

India’s melody queen Lata Mangeshkar too remembers Dr. Hazarika with find affection. “I fell in love with Bhupenda's music. Our association continued through decades. He became close to my entire family specially my youngest sister Usha who sang innumerable Assamese songs for him”, she recalled.

Kolkata and Pune Film Fraternity too paid their homage to this legendary musician.

Born in Sadiya, Assam, on 8th Sept, 1926, Dr. Bhupen Hazarika was a noted music director, playwright, actor, journalist, author, lyricist, poet, politician and film-maker of the highest repute. He was known for his crisp baritone voice and flawless diction. He started his music career by writing and singing his first song at the age of 10 and working for the second Assamese film, Indramalati (Dir - Jyoti Prasad Agarwala), in 1939, when he was 12 years old.

In his lifetime, Bhupen Hazarika has been associated with noted film directors like painter Maqbool Fida Husain, Sai Paranjype, Lekh Tandon, Kalpana Lajmi and Bimal Dutt. He had directed music for many movies by these directors. Dr. Hazarika produced, directed, composed music and sang for 32 (thirty two) films in Assamese, Hindi and other languages. He was one of India's oldest performing singers who entertained music lovers all over the world for more than seven decades.

He represented India in Berlin at the World Conference of Composers who used songs as an instrument in social change. He was given the honour of inaugurating the World Seminar in Congress Hall with his own songs on the liberation of Bangladesh.

In 1987, Sangeet Natak Academy in New Delhi awarded him for his outstanding contribution towards Indian music. In 1999, he has been appointed by the Honourable President of India as the Chairman of Sangeet Natak Akademi for a period of five years. In 1987 he won "Assam's Man of the Year" award. Same year the Government of Assam bestowed its highest award the 'Shankar Dev Award' for his contribution to Assam's culture.

His biggest achievement in terms of awards would be 'The Dadasaheb Phalke Award', also considered as 'India's Oscar', which he was honoured In 1993 for his lifetime's contribution to development of Indian cinema.

Dr. Bhupen Hazarika was hospitalized in the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital and Medical Research Institute in Mumbai in 2011 after he suffered dehydration. He was in ICU for four months and required dialysis due to kidney failure. He was admitted to the intensive care unit on June 30, 2011. He died of multiple organ failure at the age of 85.

The Assam government announced a three-day mourning from Nov 6, 2011 and a state holiday on Nov 8, 2011 on his honour. The mortal remains of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika was brought to Guwahati on Monday, Nov 7 and was kept at Guwahati's Judges' Field for two days for the people to pay their last respects.

Dr. Hazarika had always been a dreamer and had to struggle his way through life at different points. But his dreams and hard work made him reach the top of the ladder and a legend. Though Dr. Bhupen Hazarika is no more physically, his music will linger on and give hope and faith to the upcoming musicians to carry on with their dreams.

-by Jim Ankan Deka & Parmita Borah

Other Dr. Bhupen Hazarika articles - Assamese Maestro Turns 86 ; Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, the Legend of Assam

Assamese Maestro Turns 86

He He Dhole Dogore....Bhupen Hazarika

He mesmerized listeners with his soulful voice at the mere of ten and went on to gather cross over fans with his baritone voice during his prime. Dr. Bhupen Hazarika is considered today the last of the great mass singers and the only great ballad singer alive in India. Let’s take a moment to blow the candles for this noted music director, playwright, actor, journalist, author, lyricist, politician and film-maker of the highest repute from Assam, India. Wish you a very Happy Birthday 'Bhupen da'.

Bhupen Hazarika did his Inter (Arts) in Guwahati in 1942, and went on to Banaras Hindu University to complete his Bachelor of Arts in 1944. After completion of Masters in Political Science in 1946, he left for New York, USA where he lived for five years and received his Doctorate (PhD) in Mass Communication from Columbia University. He also received the Lisle Fellowship from Chicago University, USA to study the use of educational project development through cinema. Between 1949 and 1955 in USA, he met musician 'Paul Robeson' with whom he became closely associated. He also met artist 'Picasso' in France. In November 2001, he was honoured with the Doctor of Philosophy (Honoris Causa) from the Tezpur University.

Bhupen Hazarika pioneered the first state owned film studio in Guwahati, Assam, first studio of its kind in India. He produced, directed, and composed music for Arunachal Pradesh's first Hindi feature film in colour "Mera Dharam Meri Maa" in 1977. Dr. Hazarika produced, directed, composed music and sang for 32 (thirty two) films in Assamese, Hindi and other languages.

He is one of the leading authors/poets of Assam and has to his credit more than one thousand lyrics and more than fifteen major books on short stories, essays, travelogues, poems and children's rhymes. He has produced and directed many documentaries in various languages. He had also produced a 52 (fifty-two) episodes tele-serial titled "Dawn" for telecast on StarTV. Bhupen Hazarika has scored music and sung for the highest number of Assamese films made in the past 40 years. His remarkable popularity brought him to the legislative Assembly as an Independent member between 1967 and 1972.

Dr. Hazarika has won the President's National Award for the best film maker thrice - for Shakuntala in 1960, Pratidhwani in 1964, and Loti Ghoti in 1967. He won the Arunachal Pradesh Government's Gold Medal in 1977 for his outstanding contribution towards Tribal Welfare, and Upliftment of Tribal Culture through cinema and music. He also won the National Award as best music composer in India in 1977 for the Assamese film Chameli Memsaab. While he was studying in USA, he was awarded a Gold Medallion in New York as the best interpreter of 'India's folk songs' by 'Eleanor Roosevelt'.

In 1977 Bhupen Hazarika got the Padamshree Award. In the same year he also got two awards in West Bengal for the best music director for the film 'Dampati' from The Bangla Chalachitra Prasar Samity and the Bangla Chalchitra Purashkar Samity. In 1978 he won two awards from Bangladesh as the best music director for the film 'Simana Periye'. In 1978, the Gramophone Company of India bestowed on him the Gold Disc for his outstanding contribution towards Indian Music. Apart from this he received more than 100 awards for his contribution towards different fields.

In 1987, Sangeet Natak Academy in New Delhi awarded him for his outstanding contribution towards Indian music. In 1999, he has been appointed by the Honourable President of India as the Chairman of Sangeet Natak Akademi for a period of five years. In 1987 he won "Assam's Man of the Year" award. Same year the Government of Assam bestowed its highest award the 'Shankar Dev Award' for his contribution to Assam's culture.

His biggest achievement in terms of awards would be 'The Dadasaheb Phalke Award', also considered as 'India's Oscar', which he was honoured In 1993 for his lifetime's contribution to development of Indian cinema.

In 2001, he was honoured by the Government of India with the 'Padma Bhushan', one of the highest civilian awards. In the same year, he was given the 'Lata Mangeshkar Award' for his overall contribution in music by the Madhya Pradesh Government.

He represented India in Berlin at the World Conference of Composers who used songs as an instrument in social change. He was given the honour of inaugurating the World Seminar in Congress Hall with his own songs on the liberation of Bangladesh. In 1993, Dr. Hazarika had been conferred the highest honour by making him the President of Asom Sahitya Sabha (Assam Literary Society).

Dr Hazarika married Priyamvada Patel, who belongs to the well-known Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel family, and has a son named Tej Hazarika. He met Priyamvada in America where he fell in love with her. But his parents opposed the match. So, before he returned to India, he got married to her in America. They were separated after 13 years.

Bhupen Hazarika has been associated with noted film directors like painter Maqbool Fida Husain, Sai Paranjype, Lekh Tandon, Kalpana Lajmi and Bimal Dutt. He has directed music for many movies by these directors. At present he is staying in Mumbai with Kalpana Lajmi with a 40-year-long association. M F Husain preferred him to music veterans such as Ravi Shankar and Ali Akbar Khan. He says, ‘Bhupen, you paint when you sing. Your music paints, but my brush can’t sing.’

-by Jim Ankan Deka