Guwahati: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma has written to his West Bengal counterpart, Suvendu Adhikari, seeking the state govt’s assistance in purchasing music legend Bhupen Hazarika’s former residence on Golf Club Road in Tollygunge, Kolkata, and developing it as a heritage property.Sharing the letter on his X handle late on Tuesday night, Sarma wrote: “Kolkata held a very important place in Bhupen Da’s life and his home in Tollygunge is where a lot of his classics were created. We want to preserve that legacy for generations to come. Wrote a letter to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari to facilitate Assam’s efforts in preserving the glorious heritage as we celebrate #BhupenDaAt100.” The letter was written to West Bengal CM on Sept 4.Assam marked the 100th birth anniversary of Hazarika, popularly known as the Bard of the Brahmaputra, on Tuesday. The concluding ceremony of the year-long birth centenary celebrations is scheduled to be held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on Nov 29.Sarma wrote in the letter to West Bengal CM, “I would like to bring to your kind notice an issue bearing immense cultural and historical significance between Assam and West Bengal. As you are aware that Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika had spent a significant part of his creative years in Kolkata, based at 77B, Golf Club Road, Tollygunge. It is from this address, the legendary singer has created some immortal, timeless classics.”Citing the emotional significance of the property for the people of Assam, Sarma wrote, “Govt of Assam is very much keen in purchasing the house so as to preserve and develop it as a heritage property.”“As such, I would like to request your esteemed office to kindly facilitate the purchase of the property and for that all required formalities will be met and fulfilled from our end,” he added.Sarma also sought Adhikari’s “personal intervention in the matter”, citing Hazarika’s contribution to the country and, in particular, to the cultural ties between Assam and West Bengal.Hazarika spent nearly four decades in Kolkata, where he established himself as a major figure in Indian music and created some of his most enduring works.He moved to Kolkata in 1955-56 and initially lived as a tenant in a flat at 77B, Golf Club Road. He purchased the property in 1981.“The residence became an important meeting place for leading figures of Indian music, including Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar, Hemant Kumar and Manna Dey,” said Kamal Kataki, who accompanied Hazarika on guitar from 1984 until the musician’s death in 2011.The property was associated with several of Hazarika’s creative works, including the conception of his rendition of “O Ganga Tum Behti Ho Kyun”. He shifted his base to Mumbai around 1994 and later sold the Kolkata property.Hazarika’s association with Kolkata has received renewed attention during his birth centenary celebrations. An Assam govt delegation visited the property on Sept 6 to explore ways to preserve the portion associated with him and develop it as a memorial.
