Skip to content Skip to navigation

Dr. Bhupen Hazarika portrait placed at Nehru Centre, London

By Rini Kakati |

Assam has been fortunate in giving birth to a great musical genius in Bhupen Hazarika. "He was an ardent supporter of Assamese nationalism and wrote many stirring compositions about the cultural heritage of his native State, but his work transcended regional boundaries and the values he espoused were universal. Now that mighty voice has fallen silent. Assam is poorer for it. The world is poorer for it".

It is a significant step towards our endeavour to take Dr. Bhupen Hazarika to the international platform.His artistic excellence and qualities of head and heart set the perfect example of an artist in the truest sense of the term. 5 crowded years of meaningful existence having added significantly in uploading the rich culture and tradition flourishing in Assam for ages.

On Tuesday evening 6,, June, 012 - Dr. Jaimini Bhagwati, High Commissioner of India, unveiled the picture of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika at Nehru Centre, the heritage cultural building, Govt. of India at London. The dignitaries present were Dr. M. Sayeedur Rahman Khan, High Commissioner of Bangladesh, his wife - Ms. Quamrun Rahman Khan and Lord Swraj Paul, prominent industrialist. This event has been organized by Rini Kakati, Director, FASS, NRI Co-ordinator for UK.



From Left: Dr. Jaimini Bhagwati, High Commissioner of India, Rini Kakati, Dr. M. Sayeedur Rahman Khan, High Commissioner of Bangladesh, his wife - Ms. Quamrun Rahman Khan

In his opening speech Gowri Shankar (Deputy Director of Nehru Centre) welcome everybody to Nehru Centre and spoke highly about Bhupen Hazarika. Rini Kakati introduced the dignitaries and invited guests, felicitating with phulam gamosha and Asomiya japi by GeetupalaShah.

Messages from various people have been received including Javed Akhtar, wellknown Bollywood poet, lyricist and scriptwriter, Dr. Samujjal Bhattacharjya, Advisor-All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) and Chairman-North East Students’ Organisation (NESO)

Friends of Assam and Seven Sisters (FASS) is an International NGO and have various plans and projects to keep Assam on focus at world map. Thinking of various ways of preserving the memory of the (late) legendary Assamese maestro Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, Rajen Barua, President from Houston, Texas said through an e-mail.

Dr. Sangeeta Datta, well-known academic writer and filmmaker compere the evening program with a power-point presentation of Bhupen da's short clip - Rudali. His love for Ganges and Brahmaputra - 'Ganga Behti Ho Kyon'. Sangeeta has been closely associated with Kalpana Lajmi and Bhupen Hazarika.

Dr. Jaimini Bhagwati, High Commissioner of India, remembering his personal memories of time spent with Bhupen Hazarika in the 960''s when his late father - Bijoy Bhagwati was an MP at New Delhi residence. "It was the underlying sentiment of solidarity with the downtrodden in Hazarika's work that made him truly great".

Dr. M. Sayeedur Rahman Khan, High Commissioner of Bangladesh, put a white flower at the photograph. He had mentioned that Hazarika was highly respected and considered a source of inspiration for Bangladesh. His support for Bangladesh Liberation Struggle has honoured him "Muktijoddha Padak" the highest civilan award by Bangladesh Government. His emotional song "Ganga Amar Maa, Padma Amar Maa" is popular amongst every Bengali in this earth.

Lord Swraj Paul slowly made to the stage with his walking stick shows how much he loved Bhupen da. And said "everyone whose lives Hazarika touched through his work will remember him for his warmth and sincerity".


From Right: Rini Kakati, Dr. Jaimini Bhagwati, High Commissioner of India, Lord Swraj Paul, prominent industrialist,Dr. M. Sayeedur Rahman Khan, High Commissioner of Bangladesh, his wife - Ms. Quamrun Rahman Khan, Dr. Ananda Gupta, Dr. Sangeeta Datta


Tej Hazarika, Independent publisher, writer and teacher, the one and only son of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika who lives in New York with his wife and son. Was in contact with the organizer for this event. He said "My father looks really handsome in this photograph".

Prabin Hazarika, younger brother of Bhupen Hazarika was in tears when he and his wife, Trisha arrived from Leicester for this historic occasion. He recited his older brother's last poem, 'Akash Saboty' (Embracing the sky) and recalled his childhood days with his brother at their Nizarapara residence.

Kailash Budhwar of BBC Hindi Service, called Dr Hazarika a patriot as he devoted his entire life for the uplift of the poorest of the poor across his region, State, country and the globe. Rita Payne,(President of the Commonwealth Journalists Association (UK) and Editorial Director, Global magazine) - said he was a multifaceted genius, his creativity and love for the nation will always be remembered.

Bhuban Baruah, retired BBC Bangla Service, remembered Bhupen Hazarika as one of the great soul of Assam.

Gulam Mustafa, Director of Udichi UK, spoke highly about Bhupen Hazarika his attachment with Bangladeshi Community in London. Sreeparna Debsarkar‏ performed a dance of Bhupen da's popular song 'Aire chute Ai'.

The evening came to an end with a vocal tribute by well-known singer Dr. Ananda Gupta singing "Shobar Hridoye Rabindranath".

Author info

Rini Kakati's picture

London, UK

Add new comment

Assamese Translator

Assam Times seeks English to Assamese translators!
Join our volunteer team.
Email editor@assamtimes.org.

Random Stories

4000 hunting 39 jobs in BTAD

25 Feb 2018 - 6:15pm | AT News
KOKRAJHAR: Job hunters thronged in thousands at Kokrajhar as the BTAD headquarters hosted the viva test for recruiting fourth grade employees in the health and family welfare department....

74% polling at 107 Thowra LAC

5 Apr 2011 - 1:26am | mridulburagohain
There is 74% turnout at 107 Thowra LAC on the 1st phase of Assam Assembly poll on Monday.

Govt. Offices lack office decorrum

4 Aug 2010 - 7:35pm | Anup Biswas
Though there have been enquiries after enquiries in all most all the departments of Dima Hasao district by the several agencies including National Investigation Agency and CBI but there has been...

Prevention against swine flu taken in Udalguri

8 May 2009 - 6:37am | Jayanta Kumar Das
A meeting was organized at the DC’s chamber in Udalguri district on May 2 at 12 noon to discuss measures to be taken against the dreadful swine flu.Although no cases of swine flu has been...

Other Contents by Author

Indian High Commission pays tribute to Dr Bhupen Hazarika on his 7th death anniversary at London

The Indian High Commission in collaboration with Friends of Assam and Seven Sisters (FASS) paid tribute to Bhupen Hazarika, Shrandhanjali event at Gandhi Hall, India House on  November 16, 2018. Syed Iftikar Ahmed, medical specialist, actor and a singer was invited from Assam to deliver a power-point presentation on Dr. Bhupen Hazarika - his life, works and achievements. Among the dignitaries present were Lord Dholakia, Navin Shah, London Assembly Member for Brent and Harrow, Mr. A.S. Rajan Minister Co-ordination, High Commission of India , Richard Blurton, curator of British Museum, Lalit Mohan Joshi, Editor / Director, South Asian Cinema Foundation,  Kailash Budhwar, Former...

Saeed Jaffrey: Actor who straddled disparate worlds

Saeed Jaffrey, was an Indian-born British actor whose versatility and fluency in multiple languages allowed him to straddle radio, stage, television and film in a career that spanned over six decades and more than a hundred and fifty British, American and Indian movies. He is one of the few actors who found fame and success in both India and the West. Saeed Jaffrey - who has died at the age of 86 - was a versatile, charismatic and hugely popular star. The pleasure of knowing Saeed Jaffrey was that he was at least as great an entertainer in real life as he was on radio, television, stage and film.  I remember meeting Saeed for the first time few years back in London. When my mother...

Marshall Plan model suggested for NE

A master-plan to boost trade and improve highway and rail access to seaports is vital to bring new hope to the impoverished and strife-torn north-eastern region of India, a meeting in London has been told.The call came during an impassioned panel and audience discussion at the Nehru Centre in London, on the problems of Assam, the largest of the northeast states, which have a total population of 40m. Assam is a microcosm of multi-ethnic India and is the country’s main tribal area. There are 220 ethnic groups living in the northeast, which is narrowly connected to the rest of India by the narrow Siliguri Corridor between Bhutan and Bangladesh. Famed for its extensive cultivation of...

Anwesa Mahanta to perform at Nehru Center, London on Aug 14

You are cordially invited to an evening of Sattriya dance performance by Anwesa Mahanta - “Dancing the Divinity” from Assam. On Wednesday 14, August 2013 at 6:30pm - 8:30pm at The Nehru Centre, 8 South Audley Street, London W1K 1HF (Nearest Tube Station: Green Park)A dedicated and promising young exponent of Sattriya Dance, Anwesa Mahanta has received accolades from the art connoisseurs and scholars for the grace and liveliness of her dance and the expressiveness of her abhinaya. Belonging to the Vaisnava monastery of Assam, Sattra, Anwesa started her formal lessons in Sattriya from her early childhood under the guidance of the eminent maestro and a Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee...

Journalist meet to 'Focus on Assam' on June 14 at London

The High Commission of India partnering Tea Board of India is organising a flagship event on Assam  -  "The Gateway of India's North - East" on June 14 at Mayfair, London. The summit will address key issues related to the overall socio-economic development of the North East.The topic for the panel discussion is "The role of India's North - East in Global development" - will witness the coming together of a number of top UK & India journalists. The highlights of this panel discussion featuring diverse themes with eminent speakers, emphasising infrastructure, investment, economy and ethnicity connected with the state which would open up international connectivity leading to an...

Laaj premier at the London Film Festival

London Film Festival in March 2013 has selected award winning Assamese film - Laaj (Shame) directed by Manju Borah. Manju Borah is also been invited to attend this event. This initiative has been taken by Rini Kakati. Rini Kakati is very excited that an Assamese film will be shown at this prestigious event.There are a number of great films lined up and some talent from Bollywood and beyond will be attending, including the reknowned actress and woman activist Shabana Azmi and historian Bhawana Somaya amongst others. Including the award winning documentary Saving Face followed by a panel discussion with the amazing Dr Mohammad Jawad and other Pakistani talents.This year LFF will continue...

Comparative Vocabularies: 200-yr-old linguistic treasure at British Library

Dr. Raktim Ranjan Saikia - is a convener of proposed "Asamiya Jatiya Itihas". This is to compile a compete chronicle of Assam from Ancient to modern times using all possible scientific means and ways. He has done his M.Sc and Ph.D from Gauhati University and have published several research paper in different international science journals. He has started his professional career as an Engineering Geologist, joined in petroleum sector for different oil companies. He is currently an Assistant Professor at Department Geology of JB College, Jorhat.  Asomiya Jatiya Prakash, the publishers of the encyclopedic dictionary, Asomiya Jatiya Abhidhan (Assamese National Dictionary)  - he is an...

Sharodi Saikia draw accolades in London

Nehru Centre at Mayfair London presented a stunning confluence of Sattriya performance by Sharodi Saikia - as a leading exponent of Sattriya tradition on Monday, October 1. Sharodi Saikia has a rare combination of dancer, choreographer, teacher and music composer, has been pursuing this dance form for more than three decades with untiring devotion and exemplary zeal. It was her Guru, the legendary Rokhkeswar Saikia Borbayan of Kamalabari Sattra, who was the moving spirit and main protagonist instrumental in transplanting this rich cultural treasure trove from the religious-ritualistic moorings of the Sattras to the secular stage enabling the common people to enjoy it as a cultural...

An illustrated talk and seminar on Srimanta Sankaradeva at London‏

Sankaradeva inspired an artistic and cultural Renaissance in the state of Assam. As a religious leader and social reformer Sankaradeva deserve to be mentioned with Sankaracharya, Ramanujacharya, Guru Nanak and Tulsi Das.Assam is a part of India which in somewhere is little know even in India itself because of its remote location. More importantly the relative neglect absence of Sankaradeva in the history of the Neo-Vaishnavite movement in India, has long been a gap in knowledge waiting recognition.It is highly imperative that this great saint receives world attention. And also imperative that the life and philosophy and artistic creations of Mahapurush Srimanta Sankaradeva and the exposure...

Bhupen Hazarika's live picture to unveil in London

It is not everyday people like Bhupen Hazarika is born - 85 years of meaningful existence has and continue to add significance in uploading the rich culture, tradition, flourishing in Assam for ages.The bard of Brahmaputra fell silent for eternity on November 05, 2011 He was considered as the last of the great mass singer and the only great ballad singer in India. He was a maestro, a living legend and a national and international cultural icon, who represents and reflects with perfection, the socio-cultural political image of India. Dr Hazarika’s vision encompasses the entire world, reflecting the mood and passion of the oppressed and downtrodden in his ballads and folk tunes he...