GUWAHATI, Nov 7 � In death, as in his life, Dr Bhupen Hazarika reaffirmed his identity as a true artiste of the masses. His mortal remains, which returned to Guwahati from Mumbai today, were received not just with State honours, but also with deep respect and adoration by scores of mourners.
Admirers from Guwahati rubbed shoulders with others from distant parts of the State to have one last glimpse of the icon, after the flight carrying Hazarika�s body touched down at the Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport at 12.02 pm. Eager to accompany the funeral cortege were people of eminence, politicians, and senior officials along with thousands of ordinary men and women, who were swayed by his music and lyrics, not to forget his cinematic forays.
Assam Governor JB Patnaik was the first to offer floral tributes, after the vehicle carrying Dr Hazarika�s mortal remains came out of the airport. Later, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi paid his tributes and also spoke briefly to Kalpana Lajmi, the long-time companion of the maestro.
Several of Dr Hazarika�s family members, including singer Manisha Hazarika, had accompanied the body from Mumbai, and a few more relatives from Guwahati joined them in the open backed vehicle carrying the maestro�s mortal remains.
The multitude that gathered at the airport surrounded the funeral vehicles for some time and chanted �Bhupen Hazarika Amar Houk�. Thereafter, it was at a slow speed that the procession of cars and two-wheelers headed towards Dharapur. The cavalcade was led by a police pilot car and the official vehicle of the Kamrup DC.
On the road, local residents lit earthen lamps near photos of Dr Hazarika, and a few women could be seen sobbing. The burning of incense on the roadside evoked an atmosphere of grace and sobriety, rarely encountered in urban public spaces.
In Dharapur, people came out on to the street in large numbers to pay their final tribute to Assam�s gifted son. Shops and other establishments were closed. In the background, some of Dr Hazarika�s songs played on. Among those witnessing the scene was Biraj Baishya of Agchia, who said, �Never again will I see such a sight, not in this lifetime�. It was some time before the vehicles could reach Lankeshwar, where more people stood by the wayside.
The white and blue flag of the Gauhati University flew at half-mast when the funeral cortege reached the campus playground. Academics, staff, students, and young children had all braved more than an hour of strong sunlight in patience. Vice-Chancellor Prof Okhil Kumar Medhi and other representatives of various university bodies offered their respects to Dr Hazarika.
Members of the Post Graduate Students� Union (PGSU) told mediapersons that the resting place of the legendary singer, lyricist, journalist, and filmmaker should be the Gauhati University campus. �He had worked here, was a friend of the youth, and even wrote the university anthem, there can�t be a more appropriate place,� said Kishore Das, the PGSU literary secretary. Earlier in the day, the PGSU had submitted a memorandum to the Assam Chief Secretary stating this demand.
The procession grew in size around Maligaon intersection, and from there to Kamakhya Gate it was surrounded by legions of Dr Hazarika�s fans at several spots. In one such spot, residents plastered the road with gamochas, littered it with marigold, and arranged for a performance of drums and cymbals. Near Kamakhya Gate, mourners from the temple town paid their homage.
The crowd swelled several fold in Bharalumukh, where one lane of the arterial MG Road was completely occupied by pedestrians. It was the locality, which Dr Hazarika once recalled as �filled with the memories of an animated childhood�. Here, in his maternal home, he had picked up the finer nuances of music at a remarkably young age. And it was in Sonaram Higher Secondary School playground that he regaled his audiences every Rongali Bihu over a long period of time.
Frequently, Dr Hazarika�s family members on the vehicle had to accept flowers from people on the ground. Some of them bowed their heads with folded hands, moved by public sentiment.
As the procession came close to the city centre, it grew in size and slowed down in pace. Approaching Cotton College and Dighali Pukhuri, the convoy of vehicles were bogged down in a sea of humanity. Emotional scenes was witnessed when the mortal remains reached Dighali Pukhuri, where a number of leading organisations paid their tributes. The road south of the tank had to be closed for traffic, when several distinguished personalities, including Asam Sahitya Sabha President Rong Bong Terang offered homage to Dr Hazarika, a past president of the Sabha. The All Assam Students� Union, which organised the event, also paid their last respects.
The police had a hard time restraining the congregation of mourners around the place, and on the GNB Road where traffic was seriously affected for a long time. Many shops and business establishments downed their shutters, while others lit lamps and candles in front of their premises.
Employees of The Assam Tribune group, its Chairman TG Baruah and, Editor of Dainik Asam Radhika Mohan Bhagawati offered floral tributes to the departed genius as the funeral procession stopped by the office campus.
