Assam observes 87th birth anniversary of Dr Bhupen Hazarika

People from all walks of life came together today to observe Assam's legendary lyricist, musician, singer, poet and filmmaker Dr Bhupen Hazarika's 87th birth anniversary across the state.
Amidst the cacophony for the state's division on ethnic lines, Assam observed the day as 'Integration Day' in which programmes were held with the rendition of the cultural icon's songs on universal brotherhood, humanism, communal amity, universal justice and empathy.
In remembrance of the maestro, a programme was organised by Bhupen Hazarika Sahitya Sanaskriti Mancha, All Assam Students Union (AASU) and public at Dighalipukhuri in Guwahati where various artists rendered his unforgettable songs at the foot of his statue there.

Acknowledged to have introduced the culture and folk music of Assam and the North-east to the national level and to Hindi cinema, Hazarika's songs have been translated and sung in many languages, particularly in Bengali and Hindi.
Voices of the North-east united in a special programme of Doordarshan with singers attempting to fulfil Hazarika's dream of strengthening the age-old bond among different ethnic, linguistic and religion communities through music.
They rendered the Dada Saheb Phalke Awardee's songs in their own languages with first female winner of singing reality show Indian Idol and singer from Tripura, Sourobhee Deb Burma singing in Kokborok, Subba Jamir from Nagaland in Nagamese, John Gulbert Sones of Meghalaya in Khasi, Bengia Hemanta of Arunachal Pradesh in Nyishi, Sulekha Basumatary in Bodo, while Sanjib Barman sang in Garo.

"This initiative will go a long way in strengthening our bond of friendship, which is often jeopardised by the divisive activities of people with vested interests. Bhupen Hazarika had sung for all communities and had always dreamt of people from different communities living as brothers and sisters," a Doordarshan release said.