ITANAGAR, Nov 8 � Arunachal Pradesh today urged neighbouring Assam to immerse music legend Bhupen Hazarika�s ashes in five major rivers of the State as he immortalised the pristine beauty of the former in innumerable songs, reports PTI.
Sahitya Akademi awardee and president of Arunachal Pradesh Literary Society (APLS) Yeshe Dorjee Thongchi, on behalf of the State�s people, urged Assam government to immerse Hazarika�s ashes in Siang, Subansiri, Kameng, Lohit and Dibang rivers on which the music icon composed various famous songs.
�Bhupenda not only belongs to Assam but to the entire Northeast. He had contributed immensely to our State. We have requested Assam government also to immerse his ashes in the rivers of our State,� Thongchi told PTI from Guwahati.
Hazarika produced, directed, and composed music for the State�s first Hindi feature film in colour, Meri Maa Mera Dharam, in 1977.
He also directed a colour documentary for Arunachal Pradesh government on tribal folk songs and dances entitled For Whom The Sun Shines in 1974.
In 1977, Arunachal Pradesh government had awarded him a gold medal for his outstanding contribution to tribal welfare and uplift of tribal culture through cinema and music.
Influenced by the unspoilt beauty of Arunachal Pradesh (then NEFA) and its rich culture, Hazarika translated his feelings in most of his early songs, �Hamara Arunachal�, �Budha Luit� (Lohit), �Tirap simanta rupar nai anta�, �Kata jawanar mrityu hol� (referring to 1962 Chinese aggression), to name only a few, before expanding his canvass from the region to the rest of India.
Meanwhile, a pall of gloom descended on the State following Hazarika�s death and people from all walks of life mourned his demise.
Condolence meetings by various organisations have been organised in the State capital since Sunday.
Arunachal Pradesh government also declared a one-day State mourning today. � PTI
