GUWAHATI, Dec 12 � It was one of the most challenging works in the entire career of a young sculptor. That work was none other than sculpting the bust of the legend Dr Bhupen Hazarika, whom the sculptor greatly admired.
It took Diganta Madhav Goswami nearly seven years to thoroughly study the life and contribution of the cultural icon Dr Bhupen Hazarika and complete the bust of the popular bard as per his wish, but only after the demise of the legend.
In the year 2004, Diganta accompanied by Purneswar Nath, Head of the Department of Assamese, Darrang College had visited Dr Hazarika and during the chit chat, the music legend expressed his interest to get his bust done by Diganta.
�Meeting the living legend was one of the memorable experiences in my life. I played the flute for Bhupenda and performed mimicry. Then Bhupenda said that it was his heart�s desire to have a statue of him,� recollected Diganta adding that the music maestro jokingly said that the job could be completed even after his death.
It needs to be mentioned here that Diganta who has a masters degree in Sanskrit from Gauhati University is also into acting and sand animation. He enjoys creating magic through the medium of sand.
He felt on cloud nine when the bard gave in writing his wish to get the work done by Diganta.
�I was speechless when the living legend gave me the authorisation in writing,� said Diganta who has a passion for sculpting the figures of the illustrious sons of the soil and has done the busts of Rupkonwar Jyotiprasad Agarwal, Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha and Natasurya Phani Sarma among others.
Since 2004, Diganta undertook a mission�that is careful study of the life and works of Bhupen Hazarika, as well as his expressions so that he could do a perfect work.
This young man completed the work on kalstone after the demise of the music icon.
�As a mark of respect to Dr Bhupen Hazarika, I have decided to make 1000 busts on bronze and fibre. It is a mammoth project and two of my friends have come forward to help me in this mission,� informed Diganta.
