Guwahati, Sept. 8: Dispur will institute national-level awards in the memory of Bhupen Hazarika.

Speaking at a function held at the legendary singer’s samadhi kshetra (cremation ground) today on the maestro’s 86th birth anniversary, chief minister Tarun Gogoi announced that the state government is going to confer awards on reputed performing artistes in Hazarika’s memory.

He said the state government would also provide facilities for research and propagation of Bhupendra Sangeet.

Gogoi paid floral tributes and participated in an all-faith prayer meet on the Gauhati University campus at Jalukbari.

Describing Hazarika as a unifying force, Gogoi said he always tried to strengthen the bond among different communities of the state through his songs.

The chief minister added that the state government has sanctioned Rs 1.5 crore to develop the samadhi kshetra and the work will begin very soon. He said the project was likely to be completed within a year.

Gogoi said Hazarika’s songs would be inscribed on the peripheral walls of the samadhi kshetra.

On a portion of the land of the ground acquired by the National Highways Authority of India to widen the highway bypass, Gogoi said there will be no dearth of land for the samadhi kshetra, as Gauhati University will give additional land for the bard’s memorial.

“The memorial will be constructed alongside the highway in such as manner that everyone coming to the city will get a good view of it,” the chief minister said.

Eminent artistes sang melodies composed by Hazarika on peace, love and brotherhood, which assumed significance against the backdrop of current communal unrest in the state.

Various organisations also paid tribute to Hazarika at different functions organised to celebrate his birth anniversary.

Jajabor, a socio-cultural organisation, organised a cultural programme at Chandmari while the All Assam Students’ Union, in association with the All Guwahati Students’ Union and the All Kamrup District Students’ Union, held a cultural function at Dighalipukhuri.

Jorhat celebration: The birth anniversary of Bhupen Hazarika was also observed at the District Library in Jorhat. A competition and a seminar were held on the occasion.