Bhupenda shared an intimate bond with Tezpur. It was here that he spent his formative years and completed his school education. How can I not recall the rainbow of memories infused with wonderful moments spent in his company? Is it possible for me to forget my friendship since our school days?

The legendary singer had begun his illustrious career in Tezpur. Bhupenda’s house was situated to the south of Polo Ground, which used to be the prime spot for sports in those days in Tezpur. Little Bhupen used to enjoy watching football there.

One particular player with shoulder-length hair effortlessly grabbed the attention of onlookers, who used to cheer whenever the ball was passed to him. This was none other than cultural icon Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha. While pursuing his education in Calcutta, Rabha had led the Saint Polo Club and, later, the football, volleyball and cricket teams of Ripon College.

Renowned player Putul Das, who played for the famed Mohun Bagan, could also be seen practising in this field frequently.

One fine day, two gentlemen — Bishnu Prasad Rabha and Jyotiprasad Agarwala — suddenly arrived at Bhupenda’s residence to meet his father, Neel Hazarika. The eight-year-old Bhupen was awe-struck, even a tad scared to suddenly find footballer Rabha at his home.

It was a proposal that had made Bishnu Prasad and Jyotiprasad approach the singer’s father — to allow the child to sing for them. A few days ago, Kartik Chakravorty of the Calcutta-based Senula Company had approached Jyotiprasad with the appeal to include something from Assam in the company’s activities. It was eventually decided that the celebrated playwright along with his friend, Bishnu Prasad, would record two of his plays, Joymoti and Santi Konwari. And they wanted young Bhupen to sing for these two plays.

The two icons also came to an agreement with Chakravorty for establishing a music school in Tezpur. Their joint efforts resulted in the opening of Sangeet Vidyalaya in 1940, which was later renamed as Jyoti Kala Kendra.

Then one day young Bhupen set off for Calcutta in the company of Jyotiprasad, Bishnu Prasad, Phani Sarma and Swarga Jyoti Barua. On reaching their destination, they recorded the plays at Calcutta Hotel. Here Bhupenda lent his melodious voice to the song composed by Bishnu Prasad, Kalashi loi jai o rosoki bai. This was Dada’s first recorded song. Bhupenda’s first playback score was for Jyotiprasad’s Assamese feature film, Indra Maloti. This was the beginning of Bhupenda’s long musical journey.

Bishnu Prasad also introduced Bhupenda to Baan Theatre, the state’s first modern stage and auditorium where Dada sang and acted. He also introduced Dada to Padmanath Gohain Barua and his Banti Press and Banti Publication. Both of them used to wander about on a bicycle, discussing varied topics.

When Bhupenda stepped into his youth, Bishnu Prasad not only enlightened him on various nuances of music but also introduced him to the rich ethnic culture of the state. This was how the singer won the hearts of every creed, every community.

It was through Bishnu Prasad and Jyotiprasad that Bhupenda got associated with the Indian People’s Theatre Association, through which he got the first exposure to the rich Indian cultural arena. He got to meet film and theatre personalities like Balraj Sahni, Raj Kapoor, Ashok Kumar, Kaifi Azmi, A.K. Hangal and Deena Pathak.

Today Bhupenda is no longer in our midst but his memories and immortal compositions will remain forever.