GUWAHATI, Sept 14 - The Asam Sahitya Sabha�s Mumbai Chapter celebrated Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika�s 94th birth anniversary on September 8 through a webinar, a press release stated. The most impressive programme continued for more than four hours and online participation was more than 100. Suraiya Jahan, president of the Asam Sahitya Sabha Mumbai presided over the programme and welcomed everyone.
In his inaugural speech, Padma Bhushan awardee Jahnu Barua, while recalling his association with Dr Hazarika, said that he was like �Ekalavya� to Dr Bhupen Hazarika�s �Dronacharya�. Kamal Kotoki, the noted musician who had accompanied Dr Hazarika on many of his programmes for decades, spoke about the admirable personality of the Bard of the Brahmaputra. His wife Asha Sharma Kotoky, a well-known singer presented some of the songs of Dr Hazarika. Renowned journalist and film critic Bidyut Kumar Bhuyan while paying homage spoke about his relationship with the Sudhakantha.
Prominent ganashilpi and poet, Surya Das recited a self-written poem and narrated the memories of his days with Dr Hazarika. Devasish Sharma, the Joint Resident Commissioner GOA, Mumbai along with his aged parents also paid tributes to the maestro. Sharma presented a popular song and also shared some of the anecdotes of his close association with Bhupenda.
Rupam Talukdar, a well-known accordion player and long-time accompanist of the Sudhakantha played some beautiful tunes to pay tribute. Folk artist and musician Mridul Boruah and his team played some numbers and sang in memory of their beloved Bhupenda.
Dhruba Phukan, Bollywood music director and arranger spoke about his well-spent time with Dr Hazarika in Mumbai and his wife Saswati Phukan, an acclaimed singer, sang some beautiful numbers. Another music director of repute, Jatin Sharma spoke a few lines while his wife Rupjyoti Devi presented some wonderful numbers in her melodious voice.
Dr Sangita Kakoti, the well-known singer of Assam spoke about her fond memories of the Sudhakantha. She sang a few numbers and enthralled everyone with her beautiful voice. Doni Hazarika, music director and arranger spoke about his close family relations with the legend. Ragini Kavathikar, a singer from Mumbai presented an Assamese song while Keshav Baruah, an upcoming singer sang a few popular songs of Dr Hazarika.
The honourable guest, the younger sister of Sudhakantha, Sudhakhina Sharma and her son Rishiraj Sharma joined the programme via a video, fondly spoke about Dr Hazarika�s younger days and both sang a few popular numbers as well. Another guest of honour Samar Hazarika, the youngest brother of Dr Bhupen Hazarika was present in the webinar and delighted the audience with some songs and some interesting anecdotes of Dr Hazarika.
Last but not the least, internationally acclaimed violinist Sunita Bhuyan mesmerised the audience with her performance and was well supported by her son Ranajit Bhuyan on the piano.
Deepankar Borgohain, general secretary of the Asam Sahitya Sabha Mumbai's chapter coordinated the entire programme which was ably anchored by Rimjhim Mahanta and Devabarata Chakraborty.
