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| Bhupen Hazarika during the recording of the title poem in Mumbai |
I know, long ago/the River used to speak/but when he realised/every drop of pain/flows above horizon of words/he surrendered to silence…
Calcutta, Sept. 8: Bhupen Hazarika’s title poem for the Assamese film Ekhon Nedekha Nadir Xipaare, one of the last the maestro lent his voice to, was released online on Youtube on his 86th birth anniversary today.
Fans across the world can now go online to listen to his mellifluous rendition of the title poem of the film directed by Bidyut Kotoky, the Assamese version of which is being released in Assam on September 14.
The poem, recorded in February 2010, speaks of the river’s sorrow at the violence in the land. “After all, that poem is supposed to be the voice of Brahmaputra… and who could be a better voice to represent the river than Bhupenda?” Kotoky says.
The cultural department of Maharashtra is also organising a special screening of Ekhon Nedekha Nadir Xipaare in Mumbai, celebrating Hazarika’s birthday and as a part of their peace initiative for the turbulence in the Northeast.
“Ask us to describe a beautiful spring morning or an autumn evening, the first thing that will come to our mind is a stanza of Dr Bhupen Hazarika’s song. Ask us describe the stormy monsoon night, the answer will be the same,” the director said, recalling the day in February when he was with the maestro.
“He did look a little frail, but only till the time the microphone was put in front of him. Then suddenly, his age dropped by some 25 years…one by one, through his voice, the cry of Brahmaputra came alive…it was surreal!” The recording happened after a four-year hiatus.
“I would like to hear it simply because it’s him. However, it feels sad to listen to his songs, knowing he is gone,” Ritwik Sharma, an ardent fan of the maestro.
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