State BJP Pays Deep Tribute to Sudhakantha on His Death Anniversary
Dr Bhupen Hazarika’s Birth Centenary Valedictory Ceremony to Be Held in New Delhi on November 29
Dalim Phukan
Hills Live News,Morigaon, November 5.
The Assam Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has paid rich tributes to Sudhakantha Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika on his death anniversary today. Remembering the legendary artiste who brought glory and international recognition to Assam and the Assamese people, BJP workers across the state recalled his contributions with deep respect and gratitude.
In a press statement issued to the media, State BJP spokesperson Kamal Kumar Medhi highlighted the multifaceted contributions of the legendary personality and said that Dr Bhupen Hazarika was not merely a musical genius but also an eminent litterateur, journalist, filmmaker, academician, researcher and a political thinker with nationalist ideology. Having actively associated himself with every sensitive aspect of Assam’s social life, he was truly the voice and strength of the common people.
The BJP-led government has undertaken various initiatives at different times to pay due respect to the great artiste. The birth centenary celebrations of the legendary personality commenced on September 8 last year. The Assam government, under the initiative of the Birth Centenary Celebration Committee constituted under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, has organised a series of colourful programmes throughout the year.
Several important initiatives have also been undertaken to carry forward Dr Hazarika’s ideals, music, literature, culture and humanistic philosophy to future generations.
On September 13 last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the birth centenary celebration of Sudhakantha Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika at the Veterinary College playground in Khanapara, Guwahati, and addressed the people of Assam.
On the occasion, 1,200 artistes invited from different parts of the state presented a remarkable 18-minute musical tribute, bringing together 14 immortal songs of Dr Hazarika in Assamese, Bengali, Hindi and English. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also unveiled the biography of the legendary artiste, titled ‘Bharat Ratna Bhupen Hazarika – Geetor Chitrakar, Suror Bhaskar’, authored by noted Assamese litterateur and Sahitya Akademi Award recipient Anuradha Sharma Pujari.
The government has also initiated steps to translate the original Assamese biography into the other 21 official languages recognised by the Constitution of India.
As part of the year-long centenary celebrations, the Assam government has undertaken several significant initiatives, including the construction of a Dr Bhupen Hazarika museum, publication of his biography, installation of a 100-foot-high statue, naming roads after him in every town, special initiatives during Bihu celebrations, preservation of his residence in Kolkata, establishment of a Department of Performing Arts, introduction of a national-level award and production of a special documentary on his life and contributions.
The grand valedictory ceremony of the birth centenary celebrations of the world-renowned artiste will be held on November 29 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, the national capital, with an elaborate programme. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with several distinguished personalities from India and abroad, is expected to attend the concluding celebration.
As Assam prepares to conclude the year-long birth centenary celebrations, the government’s objective is to pay a fitting tribute to the timeless contributions of Sudhakantha. His unparalleled contributions to music, literature, cinema and social life have continued to inspire generations.
The state BJP spokesperson further stated that the concluding ceremony would not merely celebrate the life and journey of a great artiste but would also reflect the deep emotional bond he shared with the people of Assam and serve as a proud expression of the state’s rich cultural identity.