AANA - Tribute

-By Arpita (Chumki) Gogoi

We will grieve not, rather find
Strength in what remains behind;
In the primal sympathy
Which having been must ever be;
In the soothing thoughts that spring
Out of human suffering;
In the faith that looks through death,
In years that bring the philosophic mind.

OurDanceTributeToTheMystroBhupenHazarika 1

OurDanceTributeToTheMystroBhupenHazarika 2

I am reminded of Wordsworth’s famous quote as I think of the immortal, timeless, works of Bhupenda through which he will live after his tragic demise. I plan to say a few words about Bhupen da as he appears to me and our families. A son of Assam’s soil this magnanimous outgoing, vibrant, and charming person, a true and original talent was respected and loved in Assam, Bengal, other parts of India and universally for his open-hearted worldly approach. My fascination for his vibrant, rhythmic music began when I grew up in Bengal as a little girl and a teenager and much before I met my husband, Partha Gogoi and getting married into an Assamese family.
At every puja, at every social event we used to really look forward to his Dola he Dola or Aaj Jibon Khuje Pabi Chute Chute ai, Bistirno du pare, Sagor Songome, Ganga amar Ma, Snehe amar Sata Srabanot, Ek khana Megh bheshe elo Akashe, Protidhoni Suni, Prothom Na Hoi Ditio and several of his numbers. His affinity towards other languages makes him very near and dear to all and accounts for his outstanding talent and versatility not to speak of the humongous and phenomenal range of his work. What appeals to me most is his variety and originality.

Roopa Sharma of Chicago, Illinois, offering "Sraddhanjali" to Dr. Bhupen Hazarika at the site of his final resting place near Guwahati University, Assam: February 2012

“Moi Jetiya Ei jibonor Maya eri gusi jam

Tumar etupi chakulu paleu moi paam mur daam”.....

- By Subalita Baruah, Atlanta, Georgia

Bhupenda’s one of the most touching poetic masterpieces was probably meant for someone utmost close to his heart. However, at his heartbreaking demise he has received countless “chakulu” from millions of fans and followers around the world. Probably, Bhupenda’s departure brought the closing stages of golden era of Assamese music history. This legendary son of Assam began his journey at the age of ten under the supervision of two iconic figures from Assam, Kala guru Bishnu Rabha and Rupkonwar Jyotiprasad Agarwala. A graduate from Columbia University,
Dr. Hazarika was a poet, singer, musician and filmmaker and it is probably due to his artistic creations Assam got some recognition in rest of India. We are lucky that we are sharing the same century and space with this great humanist. Thanks to the media and internet that we were able to witness the amazing sea of humanity that came out to pay tribute to this music maestro on his last journey at the Guwahati University campus.
On Saturday November 12th, 2011 the Assamese community of Atlanta, Georgia gathered together on the occasion of our son Ernan Dishant Baruah’s blessing ceremony at our house and we observed one minute silence as a sign of mourning for the death of the biggest ambassador of Assam, Dr. Bhupen Hazarika. May god bless his soul.