On October 18, 2006, the Nehru Centre, the Cultural Wing of the High Commission of India in London presented a stunning programme to commemorate the 29th death anniversary of Jayanta Hazarika, the great legend and music icon of Assam. Lord Swraj Paul and Kamalesh Sharma, High Commissioner for India lit the candle while Manisha Hazarika paid her tribute by offering a white flower on his photograph because white was his favourite colour. Dignitaries from various offices and a representative of the Mayor of London were also present with well wishing messages. Dr. Atul Khare, Director and Minister of Culture for India, welcomed the dignitaries and guests, and chronicled the life and philosophy of the great musician of Assam. He also narrated the struggles Mrs. Manish Hazarika had to face alone to bring her only son, Mayukh Hazarika to re-liven the voice of his father. Her daughter-in- law, Laili Dutta Hazarika, a superb musical talent herself, is an asset for the Hazarika gharana. The whole scenario was very nostalgic to me. I remembered Rana’s innocent face, polite and always smiling.
With their unique live performance, Mayukh and Laili enthralled the gathering. Laili captivated the audience with her Bhajan recital in what was a fitting finale to the long list of cultural activities at the Nehru Centre. Virtues of simplicity and grace that make Mayukh Hazarika, the most enchanting artist of the musical world of Assam, showed up in ample evidence during the performance.
Manisha Hazarika, impressed the whole Indian audience when she delivered her speech in fluent Hindi. “Aap Ne Ye Sanman Jo Mujhe Diya Hai, Ye Sirf Mujhe Nahi, Puri Assam Bashiyo Ko De Raha Hai, Ye Mai Kabhi Nahi Bhulungi”. She thanked all the dignitaries and expounded on the rich heritage of Assam along with the work of her late husband. She emphasised on the importance of showcasing unity in cultural diversity. She specially thanked Rini Kakati for her effort to bring this event to the largest cultural centre of the world for the first time.
The husband and wife team was invited on 20 October, 2006, to perform at a special function at the Indian High Commission. Mayukh & Laili mesmerised the audience when they played both classical songs as well as popular hits of Bhupen da’s good oldies like Dil Hum Hum Kare, Sonar Boron Pakhi, Bistar Hai Apar. The whole audience gave a standing ovation joining hands to show their respect to the Hazarika family’s unofficial motto “Music has no boundaries, no religion, no caste.”
The next day, on 21 October, 2006, they performed at the Alperton Community Centre, Wembley. Many overseas Assamese students from various universities of UK attended this special cultural evening. Dr. Jogen Kalita of Kings College, London conducted the function with a welcome speech to the Assamese community among whom he was actively involved during his study time few years earlier. He is the one who was the brain behind forming Assam Sahitya Sabha, UK.
The function started by Mrs. Neeta Sharma felicitated the guests and the artists in a Assamese traditional way with phulam gamosha. Mr. Prabin Hazarika from Leicester, an older brother of Jayanta Hazarika says “to pay a tribute to a loved one is always painful when feelings of nostalgia and memories make one emotional.” He could not resist his tears. When Mayukh started singing the popular hits of Jayanta Hazarika, such as Xar Pau Moi Puoti Nixati, it made the audience nostalgic and emotional prompting them to join in the chorus.
Dr. Padma Hazarika, from Coventry talked about contributions of the great Hazarika family of Assam. Mr. Topon Sharma offered vote of thanks to the guest artists and the Assamese community for their attendance.
Last but not the least for whose support the whole event was possible were the Indian Association of UK, the Director Travel Company and Mr. Ronen Sharma, an NRA doctor of UK.
When Mayukh performed in all these functions before the huge gatherings of mostly Indian audience, my heart cried out for Bhupen da. Behind all the pomp, after all it was one and only Bhupen Hazarika whose name was uttered by most of the Indian audience that evening again and again. Everyone asked me “How is Mr. Hazarika?” I still remember the same audience enjoying an evening at the World Hindi Conference, 1999 held at Wembley Arena when Bhupen da sang, Bistar Hai Apar. I wish him well.
It makes me feel proud that by God’s will, I was able to give the highest tribute to my dearest friend, Rana. “Tumi Akou Ahiba Amar Majoloi Aei tu dinote. Hee Bondhu Tumaloi Xoto Nomoskar.”
Contributed by Rini Kakati, London
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