GUWAHATI/JALUKBARI, Sept 8 - The State today remembered music maestro and cultural icon Dr Bhupen Hazarika on his 92nd birth anniversary. The occasion was marked by memorial programmes across the State, with people in large numbers attending the celebrations and paying rich homage to the Bard of the Brahmaputra.
The Bhupen Hazarika Samadhikshetra (Memorial) at Jalukbari here drew huge crowds from the morning hours. With the evergreen numbers of the singer-lyricist-composer playing in the background, an evocative ambience had been created.
The All Assam Students� Union (AASU) also celebrated Dr Hazarika�s birth anniversary at Dighalipukhuripar in a programme titled �Uddipana� in the evening. Several singers rendered the maestro�s timeless numbers. Prior to that, the banks of the water body were illuminated with earthen lamps.
Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, who attended the celebrations at the Jalukbari memorial, paid obeisance at the balladeer�s statue and participated in a smriti tarpan event organised by the State Cultural Affairs Department. Sprint sensation Hima Das also visited the memorial and paid homage to the maestro.
In his speech, Sonowal extolled Dr Hazarika�s unparalleled creations, his indomitable spirit and his remarkable efforts to uphold humanitarian values in society.
�Bhupen Hazarika was an artiste of many hues whose creative works transcended borders, languages and cultures. He strove to uphold humanism through his immortal creations. He left an all-pervasive impact in our society, which would continue to inspire generations to come. Now responsibility is upon us to preserve his rich legacy and bequeath the same to the new generation to develop them as good human beings,� the Chief Minister said.
Stating that Dr Hazarika and Hemanga Biswas used the creative medium to reinforce unity and harmony among different tribes and communities of the State, Sonowal urged the people to carry that sense of positivity forward. He called upon all to put in joint efforts to keep Dr Hazarika�s memory and ideals alive for the new generations.
The Chief Minister revealed that the State Government had already decided to set up a �Uttar-Pub Samannay Kshetra� (North East Cultural Integration Centre) in Dr Hazarika�s name near the Dhola Sadia Bridge to highlight the unique, yet closely connected cultures, traditions and lifestyles of all the tribes and communities of the North East.
Sonowal also recollected former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee�s close association with Dr Hazarika and Prime Minister Narendra Modi�s deep appreciation for the maestro�s humanitarian values.
Minister of State (independent charge) for Cultural Affairs Naba Kumar Doley underlined the need for translation of the works of the legendary singer into English and other Indian languages to promote his values among a wider section of society. Guwahati MP Bijoya Chakraborty and Media Adviser to the Chief Minister Hrishikesh Goswami also spoke on the occasion.
Coinciding with the celebrations, an art competition titled �Tulikat Bhupen Mama� was also organised by MyGov Assam in association with the Cultural Affairs Department.
