Guwahati: A century after a legend was born, Assam turned its tributes into plans to preserve his music, memories and cultural legacy.Marking Bharat Ratna awardee Bhupen Hazarika’s birth centenary on Tuesday, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said the concluding ceremony of the year-long celebrations will be held in New Delhi on Nov 29.Sarma said govt was trying to secure the use of Hazarika’s Kolkata flat, where he spent a significant period of his life and created several works, for cultural and commemorative purposes. He said he had written to the West Bengal CM, while the cultural affairs department was pursuing the matter.Sarma also laid the foundation stone for a museum project at Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra. Estimated to cost Rs 35.37 crore, it will be built on around 3.26 bighas and comprise four-storey and two-storey buildings connected by a ground-floor corridor. The project is expected to be completed within two years.He urged people to donate Hazarika memorabilia to the museum, assuring its safe preservation.Govt also plans to redevelop Bhupen Hazarika Samanway Tirtha at Jalukbari. It has sought additional land from Gauhati University for a performing arts centre aimed at facilitating research and academic engagement with Hazarika’s legacy. The public works department has proposed using technologies such as augmented reality at the site.Sarma said the cultural affairs department would take steps to establish a national theatre named after Hazarika. Govt has also initiated steps to establish an academic chair in his name at Banaras Hindu University.“He was not merely a singer, composer, lyricist, poet or filmmaker but an era, a consciousness and a living history. He understood from an early age that music was not merely a source of entertainment but a powerful medium to give voice to the voiceless, awaken society and connect one human heart with another,” Sarma said.He urged young people to draw inspiration from Hazarika and focus on creative and constructive work.Sarma also announced an “Instareel” competition for people aged 16 to 45 in India and abroad. Participants can post original videos of up to 30 seconds on Instagram and submit them through the designated Google Drive. Winners will receive cash prizes.
