Bhupen Hazarika's Musical Legacy

Singer Bhupen Hazarika, who died of multiple organ failure at the Kokilaben Hospital in Mumbai on November 5, left behind a rich musical legacy. And he will be remembered by music lovers for his melodies that dwelt on the themes of love, nature and the varied hues of human emotions.

Noted for his clear diction and voice, Hazarika sang his first song 'Biswa nijoy nojowan' for the Assamese film 'Indramalati' when he was just 12.

Later on, he sang songs in Assamese, Bengali and Hindi.

Hazarika dwelt on the various shades of life, from that of a nomad in the Bangla song 'Ami Ek Jajabor' to 'Bistirno dupare' (whose Hindi version is 'Ganga behti ho kyun'), in which he questions why the river Ganga is still flowing when so many people on its two banks are suffering.

In the rhythmic song 'Dola he dola', he vividly portrayed the life of human carriers who transported people in palanquins.

The Dadasaheb Phalke Award winner also lent his voice to popular Assamese numbers like 'Buku hum hum kore', 'Manuhhe manuhor babe', "Moi eti jajabor" and many others.

His contribution to the Hindi film industry was equally vibrant and melodious.

His association with filmmaker and long time partner Kalpana Lajmi goes back to the 1993 film 'Rudaali', with Hazarika as the music director. He composed the soulful number 'Dil hoom hoom kare' for the movie.

After this, he worked with her on other projects including 'Ek Pal', 'Darmiyaan', 'Daman' and 'Kyon'. He also worked with Sai Paranjpe in 'Saaz' and 'Gayee Manzil Mujhe' and also with M.F. Husain in 'Gajagamini'.

There was a time in Bengal when no political meeting was complete without his Bengali songs being played from the gramophone discs and cassettes. His song on the Bangladesh War, 'Joi Joi Naba Jata Bangladesh', is also quite popular.


IANS