- By Geeti Das, MN
As I was growing up in Assam, I started to fall in love with Bhupen da's music like millions of other fans and music lovers did. I always wondered how magically songs flowed endlessly from Bhupen da’s heart that has touched souls all over the world. What I am going to express now is probably not the best thought, but as a child, I sometimes feared about the reality that Bhupen da would have to leave us some day. I believe this fear was nothing unnatural, it happened because I was so much attached to his musical ingenuity. I was worried, more particularly for my mom, rather than for myself, because Maa (kind of) worshipped Bhupen da. Today, (November 5th, 2011) is a sad day in history. Bhupen da has left us for eternity.
Is it just to me or to others as well, that Bhupen da’s songs have been constantly ringing in my ears.Throughout the day today, I have been humming to some of my all-time favorites. As we were growing up (in Guwahati), there were hardly any days that Bhupen da’s songs would not be playing in our house. As part of our morning weekend routines, Maa would be multi-tasking, cooking and singing Bhupen da’s songs one after the other, Deuta would be busy with his daily tasks and join Maa as well in the singing, and I along with my two sisters would be in our study tables. In fact, we got used to studying with Bhupen da’s songs playing as background music in our house.Today, no matter whenever or wherever I listen to Bhupen da’s songs, (irrespective of the location), it reminds me of those fond childhood memories in our Guwahati residence.
There were certain days where Deuta had to reduce the volume or turn off the music when he could not concentrate on his yoga or morning prayers, and I still remember how Maa would revert it back immediately, because she needed Bhupen da’s songs as her morning energizer. At times, Maa would even shed a tear or two, getting nostalgic over her childhood memories as they were all tied to Bhupen da’s evergreen songs.
Although I have been settled abroad now for more than a decade, distance has not made me sacrifice my time and love for Bhupendra Sangeet. On the contrary, being a working mother of two little children, and with dozen other activities with the kids, my little ones have not been fortunate enough to be engrossed in Bhupen da’s music, as much as we did. Today, I have decided that me and my husband, Prantor should expose our kids more and more to our King of Melody. That way, when they grow up tomorrow, they can bring with them fond memories of that golden voice to last for a life-time.
My mother's family had close connections with Dr. Hazarika's family, and it was always inspiring to hear some of those beautiful stories of yester years. With this, I would like to share a portrait of Bhupen da that Maa had sketched at the age of thirteen, and had gifted it to him. Maa at that tender age had expressed her love to Bhupen da’s music through this portrait and along with the words that says: ‘’Bhupen da, your music undoubtedly attracts us in the same manner as magnet attracts iron.’’ As a thank you gift, Bhupen da offered his song collection book autographed with this beautiful message: “Let your exquisite paintings be expressed through your paint brush that will make your sense of beauty everlasting.” Today I can still see the priceless moment of joy that must have been revealed by this little girl which she has treasured it till date.
On the evening of November 5th, almost every house in Assam lighted lamps as a homage to the maestro. A bright little candle has been lit in my house too, to pay my tributes to our dearest Bhupen-da. As I was lighting the candle, I felt that the fear that I once had as a child to see the world without Bhupen da is no longer a fear. Because today I realize the truth that Bhupen da’s immortal voice and his songs have already been engraved in our hearts forever.
