Legendary singer-composer Bhupen Hazarika died at the age of 86 in a hospital in Mumbai on Saturday after a multi-organ failure. Hazarika, who was on the ventilator for four months and had been in and out of hospital, passed away at 4.37 p.m. at Kokilaben Hospital in India’s entertainment capital.
His long time companion, filmmaker Kalpana Lajmi, his nephews and some well wishers from his home state of Assam were at his side when he died. His body will be flown to Guwahati Monday and kept at Judges Field for two days for people to pay homage. The Assam government took the responsibility to fly the body from Mumbai to Guwahati and organise the last rites. Known for his haunting, resounding melodies like ‘Dil hoom hoom kare’ and ‘Ganga behti ho kyon’, Hazarika was a Dadasaheb Phalke Award winner.
His lyrics and voice lent a special flavour to several Bollywood songs and put the spotlight on music from Assam. His death cast a pall of gloom on his millions of fans. Many in Assam were grief stricken as news of his death spread.
Dr. Bhupen Hazarika is the mirror of Assam. He lived in the world with the people beyond the boundary……. All the characteristics of Assamese people and culture could be found within Dr. Hazarika. Assamese = Dr.Bhupen Hazarika and Dr.Bhupen Hazarika = Assamese. But we lost ourselves !!!
In true sense Dr Bhupen Hazarika is the Indian Idol.
Atanu Bhattacharyya, Assam, INDIA
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