KOLKATA: The birth centenary of legendary Assamese singer, songwriter, writer and filmmaker Bhupen Hazarika is being celebrated in Kolkata with a three-day cultural programme organised by the Kolkata Assamese Cultural Association under the aegis of the Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Assam.

The celebrations began on September 5 and continued on September 6, with the concluding programme scheduled for September 8. Kolkata holds special significance in Hazarika’s life, as the Brahmaputra bard spent an important part of his life in the city and created many of his evergreen works there.

The first day of the celebration began with the screening of the documentary Bhupen Da Uncut, directed by Bobeeta Sharma, at a theatre in Mukundapur. The documentary features candid conversations with Hazarika recorded in London around 25 years ago.

The screening was inaugurated by musician Bickram Ghosh, actress Jaya Seal and writer Navamalati Neog in the presence of director Bobeeta Sharma and producer Chinmoy Sharma.

The main cultural programme was held on September 6 at Assam Bhawan in Salt Lake. The event was attended by Dr B Kalyan Chakravarthy, Additional Chief Secretary to the Government of Assam; Dr Sharadwat Mukherjee, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Government of West Bengal; Rahul Chandra Das, Director, Directorate of Cultural Affairs, Government of Assam; Avneet Punia, Director of Information, Government of West Bengal; Ranadeep Dam, Joint Resident Commissioner, Assam Bhawan, Kolkata; and Dr Khanindra Pathak, president of the Kolkata Assamese Cultural Association.

Professor, author and scholar Sheikh Makbul Islam, known for his research on folk literature and Bhupen Hazarika, spoke about the life, works and personality of the legendary artiste.

The programme featured renditions of Hazarika’s songs by the Prayash Group, led by renowned singer Mona Banerjee. Young singer Kanushee Baruah performed songs in Assamese, Hindi and Bengali.

Bengali singer Mithun Dhar, a close associate of Hazarika during his Kolkata days, shared memories of the legendary musician and performed some of his songs.

A Kathak-based dance presentation on Bhupendra Sangeet was performed by Oishanee Dutta Roy. A fusion dance performance led by Odissi and folk dancer Urmimala Sengupta of West Bengal and classical jazz, ballet and Kathak dancer Prasanna Saikia of Assam highlighted the cultural bond and spirit of brotherhood between Assam and Bengal.

Members of the Kolkata Assamese Cultural Association also presented a dance, recitation and musical short drama based on Hazarika’s poetry and literary works.

The cultural evening concluded with a performance by National Award-winning singer and composer Tarali Sarma, who presented several evergreen classics of Bhupen Hazarika.

The second edition of the 15th issue of the trilingual annual magazine Sristi, published by the Kolkata Assamese Cultural Association, was also launched. The special issue, dedicated to Hazarika’s birth centenary, has been edited by Dr Jyotish Payeng and Danny Gam.

The final programme of the centenary celebration will be held on September 8 at 6 pm at Hazarika’s former residence at 77B Golf Club Road in Tollygunge.

The concluding event will feature a tribute ceremony by the people of Tollygunge and Kolkata, with 100 earthen lamps to mark the 100th birth anniversary of the legendary artiste. A mime drama will also be staged as part of the programme.