Padma Bhushan Bhupen Hazarika is no more amidst us. The 85 yr old music maestro was a multifaceted personality and rightfully, the 'bard of Brahmaputra'. His contributions to the country's cultural heritage will be remembered by generations to come especially for the fact that he'd woven magic out of traditional Assamese music! He left for his heavenly abode this evening.
A self proclaimed 'jajabor' meaning 'wanderer', he was a balladeer par excellence. For his all round contribution to the cultural milieu, the country had honoured him with the prestigious 'Dadasaheb Phalke' award.
My initiation to his music happened late in 2001 when my friends, the Banerjees, gifted me a cassette containing his music. We'd gone on a trip that covered Agra, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Dehra Dun and Mussorie over a period of six days in my van and on passage, a good amount of the distance was made skirting the River Ganga. And the music was appropriate and I remember having played the number 'Ganga behati hai kyon' a number of times, perhaps, much to the boredom of the others though they'd never complained! I'd like to reproduce its first stanza for the sheer beauty of concept,
"Vistaar hai apaar,
Praja don paar
Karein ahaakaar,
Mast sadaa,
Ganga tu, Ganga tu, o' Ganga behati hai kyun".
Through this number, he was expressing his anguish at 'Ganga mainya' continuing to flow without complaints despite the wrongdoings committed by the citizens inhabiting her banks! A truly patriotic thought!!
The other number was the melodious "Dil hoon, hoon karein.....ghabarayein..." I suppose I can go on and on.
My humble tribute to a legend and here's wishing him peace in eternal life.
A self proclaimed 'jajabor' meaning 'wanderer', he was a balladeer par excellence. For his all round contribution to the cultural milieu, the country had honoured him with the prestigious 'Dadasaheb Phalke' award.
My initiation to his music happened late in 2001 when my friends, the Banerjees, gifted me a cassette containing his music. We'd gone on a trip that covered Agra, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Dehra Dun and Mussorie over a period of six days in my van and on passage, a good amount of the distance was made skirting the River Ganga. And the music was appropriate and I remember having played the number 'Ganga behati hai kyon' a number of times, perhaps, much to the boredom of the others though they'd never complained! I'd like to reproduce its first stanza for the sheer beauty of concept,
"Vistaar hai apaar,
Praja don paar
Karein ahaakaar,
Mast sadaa,
Ganga tu, Ganga tu, o' Ganga behati hai kyun".
Through this number, he was expressing his anguish at 'Ganga mainya' continuing to flow without complaints despite the wrongdoings committed by the citizens inhabiting her banks! A truly patriotic thought!!
The other number was the melodious "Dil hoon, hoon karein.....ghabarayein..." I suppose I can go on and on.
My humble tribute to a legend and here's wishing him peace in eternal life.
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