Bhupen Hazarika’s 85th Birthday celebrated in Delhi

The programme started with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp by Santanu Thakur,secretary of culture,Assam government,economist Atul Sarma,former V-C of Arunachal University and Binaybrata Sharma,former CMD of Oil India Ltd.

A souvenir on Hazarika,published by the Assamese students at Delhi University,was launched during the event. The souvenir,conceptualised by Indrajit Das and titled ‘Tothapitu Huwa Nai Klanto’ was edited by Mitali Barman,an Asst. professor at Delhi University and others.

Several speakers highlighted the life and times of Bhupen Hazarika and focussed on the multi-faceted aspects of the socio-cultural icon and shared the contribution of ‘Bhupen da’ towards the building of Srimanta Sankaradeva Bhawan as a permanent centre for Assamese cultural activities in the national capital and prayed for his speedy recovery.

Later,Kula Kamal Dewri,curator at National Museum,New Delhi,enthralled the jam packed audience with Hazarika’s timeless song ‘Buku Hom Hom Kore’.

Several young men and women from Delhi then presented a spellbinding rendition of the evergreen song ‘Bistirno Parore’ in three languages – Assamese,Hindi and Bengali. It was directed by Robin Kalita,ED at Rail Vikas Nigam.

Another major attractions of the event was the “Bhupen Hazarika Quiz” anchored by Kalita.

A special portrait of Bhupen Hazarika,digitally sketched by artist Manik Pathak in one night was released by during the event and was later handed over to the Assam Association.

The main cultural programme also included a musical ‘Moi Jen Ajiwan Uroniya a Mou…’,written and directed by Sarat Barkakati. Then mellifluous renditions of Bhupen da’s superhit numbers by Robin Kalita,Devanga Pallav Saikia,Dipakshi Kalita,Marilyn Bordoloi,Ankur Dutta,Raj Ballav,Nabamallika  Bhagabati,Chandralekha Thakuria and Murchana Barkakati also captivated the audience.

Other notable performances include A theatrical performance to the song ‘Prochondo Dhumuhai…’ by Nabamallika Bhagabati,’Snehe Amar Xhata Xhravanar’ by talented Odissi danseuse Dipannita Das,daughter of Assamese actress Chetana Das.

The musical play came to an end with the singing of Hazarika’s most memorable song ‘Manuhe Manhuor Babe’ and the Assamese residents in Delhi praying for Bhupen da’s good health.