World Community Bow to Assam Legend in London - Rini Kakati

On Friday evening 18 November, 2011 Nehru Centre the Cultural Wing of Indian High Commission presented a Shradhanjali programme to commemorate and paid highest tribute to Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, the stalwart in the annals of India's cultural heritage, a multifaceted genius of Assam, and legendary - national and international cultural icon, who represented and reflected with perfection, the socio - cultural political image of our great country India. On Friday morning, Assamese community gathered at the bank of river Thames and arranged an immerse of the ashes of Bhupen da with holy prayer and naam kirtan. It is not everyday people like him is born 85 years of meaningful existence will add significantly in uploading the rich culture tradition flourshing in Assam for ages. The Shradhanjali programme was initiated by Rini Kakati, NRI Assam Co-ordinator for UK.

The eminent guests invited on the occasion were Jitendra Kumar, First secretary of Indian High Commission (Consular and Community Affairs), Manjurul Karim Khan Chowdhury, Counsellor Secretary - Bangladesh High Commission, Kailash Budhwar of BBC Hindi Service, Rita Payne, Chair of the Commonwealth Journalists' Association (UK) and editorial director of Global magazine, Ashis Ray of The Times of India. In her welcome speech Sangeeta Bahadur, (Director of Nehru Centre) mentioned "Dr. Bhupen Hazarika was a legendary singer, composer, lyricist, music director, filmmaker and politician from the state of Assam. He influenced many people throughout the country and in the neighboring countries. His song reflected his views on the current situation of society, culture and politics. He composed songs in Assamese, Bengali, Hindi and English. He played an important role in visualizing the culture and art of Assam to other parts of India and the world," Mr. Jitendra Kumar, First secretary, Indian High Commission (Consular and Community Affairs) paid an emotional tribute to Dr. Bhupen Hazarika remembering his songs and the importance of 3 B's Brahmaputra, Bihu and Bhupen during his childhood days spend in Assam as a nine year old boy. Mr. Manjurul Karim Khan Chowdhury, representing Bangladesh High Commission in Shradhanjali says - how Dr. Bhupen Hazarika will be missed in the soil of Bangladesh. He was adored by each and every Bengali in this earth, inspired and united by singing "Ganga Amar Maa, Padma Amar Maa." Mr. Kailash Budhwar of BBC Hindi Service, mentioned Dr. Bhupen Hazarika as a patriot. He has devoted his entire life for the upliftment of the poorest poor across his region, his state, his country and the globe. Mrs. Rita Payne, presented an obituary by a sentimental power presentation with some of her childhood remembranceof Dr. Bhupen Hazarika's memorable songs. Away from Assam nearly 40 years cannot claim to be an expert still would like to share her musical memories of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika. Rivers seem to have been a particularly strong theme running through Dr. Bhupen Hazarika's work. That is Brahmaputra or Luit and the Ganges inspired by Paul Robeson performance Old Man River. Being moved in tears by that song about a fisherman who goes out in the river and gets caught in a storm, his boats sinks and he never returns. Mr. Gulam Mustafa, Director of Udichi UK, was very emotional, talk highly about his involvement with Dr. Hazarika all those past years. Ms. Bithika Raha Basu, Founder Director of “Nrityakala- the Rhythm”, coming from Assam remembers her smriti of Bhupen Hazarika. On behalf of the Assamese Community, Bhuban Baruah & Manjira Chowdhury thanked distinguish guests and the audience for shaing their grief with the community at this moment. Coming to the end was an rendition of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika's "Manush Manusher Jonno" superb vocal presentation by Shahadat Hossain and Gopa Bose. The people in the audience stood up join in hands with pride and honour singing together in respect to our moromor Bhupen da. May he continue to inspire every succeeding generation in the year to come. "Now you belong to heaven And the stars spell out your name" We will treasure his memories as : "Bukur Tezere Likha Gaan Mor, Sokur Panire Numushibi. Sokur Panire Likha Gaan Mor, Aloi Athani Nokoribi" - Jyoti Prasad Agarwala