TEZPUR, Sept 15 - Bhupen Hazarika was not a common man but an exceptional personality who worked for the common people, and his contribution towards building a classless society is unmatched.
This was observed by noted writer, poet and critique Dilip Phukan while addressing a gathering recently at the Chandranath Sharma auditorium near here on the occasion of the fourth foundation day of the Dr Bhupen Hazarika Memorial Music School in Pithakhwa.
Phukan said that as a singer, Bhupen Hazarika was known for his crisp voice and flawless diction, while as a lyricist, he was known for his compositions and parables that touch upon a wide range of themes � ranging from the erotic to social and political commentary, and as a composer, he was known for his use of folk music with a touch of the contemporary.
However, expressing dissatisfaction over the present day cultural trend, Phukan said that though people listen to Bhupen Hazarika�s songs, nobody in the real sense tries to understand their in-depth meaning. �Instead, people nowadays listen to certain poor quality songs,� he said.
Cultural activist Anil Bhattacharya said Bhupen Hazarika�s songs leave an impact in everyone�s heart. �The time and the voice are now part of unforgettable melodies that together make up the collective musical consciousness of a nation. Actually, we have always been so enamoured by the voice and the totality of the song that sometimes we tend to forget the astonishing beauty of so many of Bhupen Hazarika�s lyrics.�
He said music was an integral cultural component, serving both as a cohesive and perpetuating force and which also reflects cultural values and temperaments of a society. These have always been reflected through Bhupen Hazarika�s songs.
Writer and social worker Dr Mahendra Kumar Nath asserted that Bhupen Hazarika was also a historian, socialist, politician and humanist who always tried to build a �discrimination-less� society. In every song of Bhupen Hazarika, love towards human beings, rural life, and folk culture can be felt, Nath said, urging the people to carry forward the ideology of the music legend.
A documentary made by Bhaskar Mowno, Simanta Kakoti and Manash Jyoti Das on Bhupen Hazarika�s life was also screened. Awards were also distributed to the winners of competitions like Bhupendra Sangeet, Satriya dance and dances on Bhupen Hazarika�s songs.
