Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma today attended the birth centenary celebrations of Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhupen Hazarika at Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Samanway Tirtha at Jalukbari in Guwahati and paid floral tributes at the memorial and statue of the legendary artist.
On the occasion, Dr. Sarma virtually laid the foundation stone of the proposed Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Museum at Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra and launched an ‘Instareel’ competition to take the life, works and enduring contributions of Dr. Hazarika to the younger generation through contemporary digital media.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Sarma said history has witnessed the emergence of rare personalities whose lives transcend their times and give new meaning and direction to an entire era. Dr. Bhupen Hazarika was one such timeless personality whose voice carried the fragrance of Assam, the depth of the Brahmaputra, the spirit of India and profound compassion for humanity.
He said Dr. Hazarika’s songs and soulful compositions gave expression to human emotions, awakened the conscience of society and built bridges of harmony. Through his songs, poetry, films and deep commitment to society, he gave Assam’s cultural identity a unique place on the world stage.
Referring to the initiatives undertaken by the State Government during the birth centenary year, the Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during the centenary celebrations in Guwahati last year, unveiled a commemorative coin prepared by the Reserve Bank of India in memory of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika and released a special book on his life and works. He further said that the book has been translated into all constitutionally recognised languages of India and arrangements have been made to distribute it to lakhs of families across the State.
Dr. Sarma said that the State Government has initiated efforts to acquire the specific floor of the residence of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika at Tollygunge in Kolkata, where he spent an important period of his life and created several timeless works. He said personal communication with the Chief Minister of West Bengal is continuing in this regard.
The Chief Minister said the State Government had announced the construction of a modern museum at Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra to preserve and showcase Dr. Hazarika’s life, works and legacy for future generations. The foundation stone of the museum was virtually laid today. The museum will be built at an estimated cost of Rs. 35.37 crore over approximately 3.26 bighas of land. It will comprise a four-storeyed building and a two-storeyed building connected by a corridor at the ground-floor level, along with roads, landscaping and other associated works. The project is expected to be completed within two years.
He appealed to members of the public possessing memorabilia or other articles associated with Dr. Hazarika to consider donating them to the museum. The State Government will ensure their safe preservation, he said.
Dr. Sarma also announced that the State Government is taking steps to give a new look to Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Samanway Tirtha. The Government has approached Gauhati University for additional land to facilitate the development of a Performing Arts Centre of the university at the site, creating opportunities for research and academic engagement with Dr. Hazarika’s legacy. He said the Public Works Department has also prepared a plan to transform the Samanway Tirtha using advanced technologies such as augmented reality.
The Chief Minister further said that the concluding programme of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika’s birth centenary celebrations is proposed to be held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on November 29. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also expressed his desire to attend the programme.
Assam CM attends birth centenary prog of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, lays foundation stone for Dr Bhupen Hazarika Museum
