A tribute to Bhupen Hazarika

Gopal Sengupta from Canada Dr Bhupen Hazarika, a legendary and versatile musician, singer, poet, filmmaker, lyricist, actor, producer, politician, elected parliamentarian, a highly educated and, more important, a perfect human being four decades-old ties with the people of Bangladesh has been snapped with his demise on last Saturday. The influence of the unspoiled natural beauty of Bangladesh and its neighbouring country and its rich culture can be clearly heard in many of his early songs before the maestro's canvas expanded to embrace the rest of the country, finding appeal with audiences spanning the globe. A memorable song titled Manush Manusher Jonney, who is the original author, composer and singer which has translated to Bangla by Shibdash Banerjee, has nominated the second best Bengali song by BBC Bengali Service for "Shorbo Kaaler Shorbo Sreshtho Bangla Gaan" (BBC Bangla listeners nominated their top twenty choices for the all time best Bangla songs). We express shock over his death, hailing him as an iconic figure of the Globe. In him we have lost an icon of a great friend, philosopher and guide of our freedom. He will always be remembered for his emotional attachment with Bangladesh and his long association with the state in its cultural evolution. His songs like "Joy Joy Nobojato Bangladesh; Joy Joy Mukti Bahini (triumphal salutations to newly born Bangladesh; triumphal salutations to the freedom fighters), is a stirring marching tune which was on every Bengali's lips during those harrowing days. Bangladesh would also remember him for his legendary song, "Ganga Amar Ma, Padma Amar Ma, Amar Dui Chokhe Dui Joler Dhara, Meghna Jamuna (Ganges is my mother, Padma is my mother, the two streams of tears in my two eyes are Meghna and Jamuna)." His music became a bridge between the people of the all walks of life around the globe from the hills to the plains. Our whole nation has mourned over such noted singer-composer who was intimately linked with its birth. He had backed our freedom fighters and freedom loving people in 1971. Our war of Liberation with full-throated compositions even as some other songs celebrated the common culture of the subcontinent. The class and quality of Dr Bhupen Hazarika's musical creations are of such heights that the people of the region would always remember those with divine passion and respect. Only the creative works of a person make him immortal. He will never die; he will forever remain in our memory through his sonorous songs. The writer can be reached at email: gopalsengupta@aol.com