“Pranamo tumak he maha jivan Xuwari jivana giti” ... - Parulma Deka, Atlanta, Georgia

My son Anjan called me early Saturday morning, 5th Nov, "Ma, Bhupen Hazarika died!" It was a shock to him, even though he grew up here. We came from our homeland to this country and tried to teach our children about our families, our good habits, our rich culture, and of course Bhupen Hazarika. They grew up here listening to his beautiful songs, and tried to understand the meaningful lyrics. His songs were loved by everybody from northeast India because they were about humanity and universalism …they were about all mankind. He was also a great and humble person. I met Bhupenda at the Washington Convention in 1993. It was an experience I will never forget and it helps me to understand how someone can be so humble and so big in life at the same time.

We arrived at the hotel lobby and there he was standing alone. We were very surprised to see him. He came to us smiling and holding his hands, and said, "Sinaki diya, kor bowari kor suwali." I will never forget that moment. He sat down on the platform the next day and we along with many families took so many pictures with him. We were blessed to get him so close and to see him sing his beautiful songs, to listen to him talk in between. Bhupenda, his music, and his greatness will live forever in our minds.