Saikia at the wheel. Picture by UB Photos

Nov. 7: All these years Someswar Saikia had heard and hummed Buku hom hom kore, but today he lived the song as he drove the hearse carrying Bhupenda’s body from the airport to Judges Field.

The 41-year-old driver had grown up listening to Bhupen Hazarika’s songs.

Today, the musician lay still in his vehicle while Saikia took him on his last ride.

“It is an experience that cannot be described in words. Everyone says that for every moment and occasion there is a song by Bhupenda that can describe it. Buku hom hom kore is my favourite song but today I felt as if he wrote it for me,” said Saikia.

He, who has been driving for the past 15 years, first heard Hazarika’s songs when he was just eight years old.

“There cannot be another Bhupen Hazarika. There cannot be another moment when I will have to carry him in my truck,” said Saikia.

The news that he is the chosen one to give the maestro the last ride came last evening.

“I was having my dinner when my employer called me. He said I will have to bring his body from the airport,” said Saikia.

After that, he needed no prodding. “I took the truck to Judges Field at night and practised behind the wheel so that there are no last-minute glitches,” said Saikia.

He reached Azara police station, around 5km from the airport, for the mandatory checking. “The vehicle then needed to be decorated with flowers. We started our preparation early, around 4am, and reached the airport by 9am,” said Saikia.

When the coffin was placed on the truck, he could feel the heaviness. “I felt as if he was with me at that moment. I was sad but my responsibility to drive him home kept me glued to the steering wheel,” said Saikia. A father of four, this is a memory he will cherish forever. “The journey ended today but he will remain with me forever,” said Saikia.