The city roads turned into a sea of humanity as the body of music legend Bhupen Hazarika arrived here on Monday morning amidst lakhs of mourners singing his most popular number Manuhe Manhor Babe and chanting the slogan Bhupenda Amar Howk.
People lined up the entire 30-km stretch from the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi international airport to his Nizarapar residence and it took eight hours for the cortege to reach the house of the culture icon. Mourners, waiting since morning to have a glimpse of the legend, showered flower petals and sang his popular numbers to pledge their commitment to keep his music and ideals alive and pass them to the next generation.
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and Governor J.B. Patnaik received the body and offered ceremonial homage to the balladeer at the airport. The coffin was carried on top of a vehicle decorated with flowers and escorted by jawans of an Assam Police battalion and accompanied by his close relatives and long-time companion and filmmaker, Kalpana Lajmi.
Changing its plan in deference to the wishes of the people, the government decided to arrange the cremation on a huge plot of land offered by Gauhati University on its premises near the Jalukbari square, close to the Brahmaputra.
Earlier, the cremation was planned at the Sankardev Udyan in the Fancy Bazar locality but various organisations including the All-Assam Students Union expressed their reservations about this site. For, they wanted the cremation site converted into a centre of permanent activity to keep alive Hazarika's songs and ideals.
The university announced that its new academic building, whose construction is likely to be completed in 2-3 months, will be named after the music legend, who had composed GU's anthem JilikaboLuitorePaar in 1956.
Although the district administration initially allowed four stoppages for the cortege, the schedule went haywire as lakhs of people turned up and it had to stop at many locations to allow the mourners to pay floral tribute.
At his Nizarapar residence, the coffin was received by family members. After the coffin was opened and kept on the bed on which Hazarika used to take rest, his brothers and sisters and other close relatives sang prayer hymns and songs. The coffin was later shifted to the Judges' Field, where it will be kept till Tuesday afternoon in a fully air-conditioned tent for the people to pay their last respects.
Thousands are already standing in queue to have a glimpse of their most revered personality.
Keywords: Bhupen Hazarika, Assamese lyricist, Bistirno parore, Hazarika no more, Hazarika dead, Paul Robeson, Indian People’s Theatre Movement, Assam folk art
This year has seen the death of so many great artist from india.. the loss of Bhupen Da was very depressing.. for some reason, i had a special affinity towards his songs n the great character he was.. i really admired him.. his failing health over the past few years n the ensuing oblivion n the indifference shown by the bollywood junkyard left me appalled! he will be missed but such great men always stay with us.. he has left such beauteous art for us to enjoy a lifetime.. may his soul rest in peace and may his well wishers get the strength to bear such a loss! the nation and the world will miss you, Bhupen Da!
The Death could have only halted the journey of this Wander who embarked upon this voyage which spread from Brahamputra to Thames, from Lohit to Padda, from Dekhou to Ganga …..the only companion being its people living by .... he was their voice… he was the one who could only render their feelings of life through his divine voice ….they felt and sang his songs as if it were their own songs…. spontaneously and effortlessly ….almost became the part and parcel of their folklore .The proud heritage ….. Bhupen Hazarika, your voice shall eco our feelings of life for all the time to come…..
According to an unofficial wiki report in the internet, Bhupen Da's funeral attendance has broken all records in the history of the world, surpassing the funeral of legends like Michael Jackson and J F Kennedy. This shows the love and respect the maestro earned from millions.
A most legendary talented person "Dr. Bhupen Hazarika" is no more with us at this present moment. His absence has created a loneliness among all of us. His talent and his artistic approach towards every situation that has prevailing for years in our state "ASSAM" will ever last long forever in the minds of the beloved ones. We all miss you...His talent had created a melodius environment that let people forget all their miseries. His songs is dealt with every kind of situation which suits the life of our state "Assom". We all pray for you..May his soul rest in peace.
bhupen hazarika will always with us. we cant forget him.
MAY DR BHUPEN HAZARIKA REST IN PEACE.
Bhupen Hazarika is the real hero.
My super hero Dr. Bhupen Hazarika will be in my heart for ever and his sons will tear my eyes in the remaining my life. He is imortal for me and all of us. "O mur dharitry aai saranate diba thai khetiakar nishtar nair matir bine ashahai daya kara daya shila aai"
Bhupen Hazarika is one of the greatest legendary people's singer of the world. He is in the heart of the peace loving people of the world beyond boundaries. He is not only an artist but he is greater than life. Bangladesh's highest civilian award is to be awarded to Bhupen da, Tomorrow everything is bandh (stop) in Assam officially, non-officially, Arunachal pradesh has also declared state holiday in respect of bhupen hazarika. We demand "bharat ratna" for him.
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