The Bhupen Hazarika Cultural Trust, in collaboration with Assam Association, Mumbai, will organise the 92nd birth anniversary of maestro Bhupen Hazarika as Samannay Divas on September 8 and 9 next at Assam Bhawan in Mumbai.
A report appearing in the The Telegraph quoted Manjula Hazarika, Joint Secretary of the Trust, as saying, “We are happy that the Trust is organising the anniversary among the people of Assam and all over the country residing at Assam Bhawan in Mumbai for the first time. Cancer patients going to Mumbai from Assam stay in Assam Bhawan and we are happy that they can also celebrate the birth anniversary of Bhupen Hazarika with pomp and gaiety this time.”
The report further quoted her as saying, “Five employees of Assam Bhawan, who served Bhupen Hazarika day and night during his ill-health, will be felicitated on September 9 next. An exhibition on Bhupen Hazarika will also be held the same day,” Manisha Hazarika, Joint Secretary of the Trust, said, “This time, the musical assistant of Bhupen Hazarika, Anil Mohli, will be posthumously honoured with Godavari-Brahmaputra Bhupen Hazarika Samannay Award on the occasion.”
The award is finalised by 30 regional organisations and various personalities from different fields in Assam. It comprises a memento, a certificate and the Assamese traditional attire. Mangal Singh Hajowary, the first awardee of Bodo Sahitya Akademi, will hoist the flag of the Trust as a mark of the beginning of two-day Samannay Divas on September 8 at 9 am, followed by an interaction and tribute programme. The founder of Sarhad, Maharashtra, Sanjay Nahar, will light the lamp on the occasion.
“On September 9, an exhibition on Bhupen Hazarika’s life will be followed by a cultural evening and a felicitation programme,” said Manisha. Film director from Assam Gautam Bora will grace the occasion as an appointed speaker.