Memorial Service for the Legend Dr. Bhupen Hazarika by Assamese Community in Northeast US
Report: Binapani Sarmah
The Assamese community in the North East United States gathered to celebrate the memory of the great musician, film-maker, Padma Bhushan and Dadasaheb Phalke award winner and the great cultural icon the late Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, in the Kingston Presbyterian Church, located in Kingston, New Jersey, on Saturday, November 12, 2011. Over 50 people from New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania participated to celebrate the life of the award-winning maestro, who enriched the Assamese and Indian music industry and film industry for the last 72 years. Bhupen Hazarika was one of the few greatest musicians who dedicated his art not only for Assam and India, but also tried to bring together the brotherhood of humanity across the world.
With his golden voice, he sang for the common people and his songs hypnotized the hearts of millions beyond boundaries of countries, caste, and religion. His lyrics had a far deeper meaning beyond its words and inspired everyone. He was a poet, journalist, singer, lyricist, musician, filmmaker, writer and much more. People were mesmerized and enthralled not only by his musical talents but also by his larger than life personality. Despite of all, he was a common man’s person, easily reachable. It was a memorable afternoon in the splendid surroundings with distinctive whisperings of fall in the air that unfolded the legendary musician’s memories. A garland covered photograph of Bhupen Hazarika was placed on a table, wrapped comfortably in a ‘gamocha' – the traditional Assamese towel, while lighted incense sticks and an oil lamp adorned the picture. After light snacks, those gathered prayed for the eternal soul of the music legend, and the multifaceted genius to live in peace in heavenly abode. Gayatree Sarma started the memorial service with the melodious borgeet “Tejore Kamalapati …” which the legend sang in the Assamese film “Piyoli Phukan (1955).” Mohesh Kalita, who was a close friend of late Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, offered the eulogy on behalf of the North East Assamese Community in the United States. The audience started pouring in their emotional and personal experiences. Many shared their thoughts about the uniqueness of the words of his lyrics; others exchanged solemn expressions of the greatest cultural communicators of South Asia. Two of the noted singers, Gayatree Sarma and Mitali Bhawmik, from the community sang some great numbers from Dr. Bhupen Hazarika’s albums. Gautom Thakuria, who just came back from Assam, shared his experience of the final journey of the great cultural icon from Nizarapar, Guwahati. As part of the memorial service, there was a collective effort to present a photo gallery of the late Dr. Bhupen Hazarika’s visits to the United States. The event was smoothly and diligently coordinated by Purandar Sarmah and Sanjib Bhuyan, and concluded with the Assamese state anthem “O’Mor Aponar Dex.”
