GUWAHATI, Nov 5 � Legendary musician, cultural icon, Dada Saheb Phalke awardee Dr Bhupen Hazarika is no more. Death snatched him away around 4-35 pm today at the Mumbai-based Kokilaben Dhirubhai-Ambani Hospital. The hospital authorities formally declared his death around 4-37 pm. According to doctors attending on him, death occurred to Dr Hazarika due to cardiac failure. He was admitted to the hospital on June 29 last following breathing problems.
Immediately after the declaration, the hospital authorities shifted his body to the morgue of the hospital. The body would be brought to Guwahati on Monday and the State Government is planning to keep it at the Judges� Field for two days to enable the people to pay their last respect to him. The State Government would arrange for his state funeral in Guwahati, said State Government sources from New Delhi.
The Assam Government has declared a three-day state mourning from tomorrow and a half holiday on November 8 as a mark of respect to the departed soul, said an official release.
His body would be taken to his Mumbai house before being taken to Guwahati for the last rites.
During his last hours, his sister-in-law and artiste Monisha Hazarika, writer Anuradha Sarma Pujari and her husband Pradip Pujari, filmmaker Kalpana Lajmi and a host of relatives and fans were there by his side.
The members of the Assamese community thronged the Kokilaben-Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital as soon as the news of the demise of Dr Hazarika spread. Those who rushed to the hospital to pay their last respect to the celebrated musician included Arjuna awardee Manalisa Barua Mehta and actress Mridula Barua.
The Maharashtra Chief Minister is expected to pay his last respect to Dr Hazarika at the hospital late this evening itself. Renowned singer Lata Mangeskar has also conveyed her condolence to the bereaved family members over phone.
Fans of the famous musician gathered at the Nizarapar family residence of the Hazarikas in the city to sympathise with the family members.
PTI adds from London: Overcome with grief at the demise of Bhupen Hazarika, his Leicester-based younger brother Prabin said the legend will be remembered for inspiring generations of Assamese youth.
Prabin, a teacher who migrated to Britain in 1973, was shocked when informed of the demise. He fondly remembered his brother who last visited him in Leicester in 1999, and paid tributes to his life and achievements.
�After Independence, Assam became known to most parts of India mainly through Bhupenda�s music. He inspired generations of Assamese, particularly the young people,� he said. Prabin, a singer and poet in his own right, remained in close touch with his brother. Prabin is one of six children of Nilakanta and Shantipriya Hazarika, the eldest of whom was Bhupen Hazarika.
The passing away of Hazarika, whose music touched the hearts of many people in India and outside, was condoled by several Indians settled in the UK.