Assam created a new Limca record by holding the largest guitar ensemble of the country in which 5,406 guitarists paid tribute to legendary singer Bhupen Hazarika by playing his famous number “Bistirno Parore” at Sarusajai stadium here on Sunday.
As soon as the guitar enthusiasts finished playing Hazarika's number, Limca Book of Records official Smita Thomas announced that it was a new national record. The previous was the ensemble of 1,730 guitarists in Shillong. They played Bob Dylan's “Knocking on Heaven's door” in 2007.
Three guitar enthusiasts organised the ensemble under the banner Hope Event with the target of creating a new world record by breaking the one currently held by Poland with 6,346 guitarists. “We are quite happy with our achievement because while Poland created the record as a country we have been able to achieve this as a State,” said Subhrajyoti Das of the Hope Event management group.
The participants, both amateur and professionals including children, turned out in large groups for the event despite a heavy downpour through the day. Popular singer Rupam Bhuyan sang the number.
The balladeer's sister and popular Assamese singer Sudakshina Sarma, his brother and singer Samar Hazarika said they were overwhelmed to witness the ensemble organised to pay tribute to the legendary singer. They lauded the organisers for their efforts to take Hazarika's music to a global audience.
Cultural Affairs Minister Pranati Phukan sang a few lines from the Hindi version of the number “Ganga Behti Ho kyun” before the actual event to cheer the crowd while Assam Environment and Forest Minister Rockybul Hussain, joined other singers in singing some other popular numbers of Hazarika to celebrate the achievement.
