Rich tribute to Bhupen Hazarika at Kolkata Book Fair marks birth centenary

The melody of humanism and the harmony that transcends boundaries remain the essence of his creative philosophy,” said Tridip Chatterjee, secretary, Publishers and Booksellers Guild, Kolkata, at the memorial on Jan 27 honouring the Dadasaheb Phalke awardee’s birth centenary during the ongoing 49th Kolkata Book Fair. 

The event was organised by the Assam Publication Board, Guwahati.

Chief Guest, Sahitya Akademi awardee Anuradha Sharma Pujari, novelist and journalist, in her address, said, “Dr. Bhupen Hazarika came to Kolkata during one of the most challenging phases of his life, and the people of Kolkata embraced him with love. That’s why whenever one visits Kolkata, it feels as though Bhupen-da himself has returned to the city. He transcended geographical boundaries and united the hills and plains through his message of harmony. The pure rhythm of the human heart reverberates throughout Bhupen Hazarika’s entire life of work.”

The event was inaugurated with a welcome address by Sumanta Chaliha, Vice-Chairperson of Assam Publication Board, who enriched his anecdotal discourse in Bangla  by interspersing it with some of Hazarika’s timeless songs.  It was followed by a choral fusion of Hazarika’s iconic songs — ‘Aah, Oulai Aah Sajag Janata,’ ‘Kahuwa Bon Mor Ashanta Mon,’ and ‘Manuhe Manuhor Babe’ rendered by local artists of the Assamese community.

Other highlights included Parnabha Banerjee and Kashmiri Kataki Mallik’s rendition of Hazarika’s popular songs, cherished both in Assam and Bengal, and dance sequences based on his music by artists from Bandana Kunja and Priyalim Phukan.

Also present among the audience at the well-attended event were Sudhanshu Shekhar Dey, president of Publishers and Booksellers Guild, Gautam Ghosh from the Gorky Sadan, Russian Cultural Centre and several eminent personalities from Kolkata’s literary and musical circles.

The event was supported by the Kolkata branch of Asam Sahitya Sabha, Assam Socio Literary Club, Kolkata, Assamese Cultural Association, Kolkata Mahila Kalyan Sanstha, and Lekhika Samaroh Samiti.