Bhupen Hazarika’s residence to be preserved as memorial
Guwahati: after the cremation of the immortal singer Bhupen Hazarika, the family members came back to a gloomy residence and buried the ashes from the cremation near the bokul tree in the front yard of Hazarika’s home. The ashes from the cremation ground were brought in 12 containers wrapped in red cloth and kept carefully at the sotal. The remains will be distributed to places like Tezpur, Koliabor, Arunachal Pradesh and others. Samar Hazarika, Hazarika’s brother told the press ‘many have requested us for the ashes from his cremation. Some also gave the family jars to preserve the ashes for them.
The family members also said that Bhupen Hazarika’s Nizarapar residence will be preserved, just like those of Shelly and Shakespeare in England. The Bhupen Hazarika Trust will look after Bhupenda’s residence at Nizarapar. This will allow his admirers and fans can come and commune with the soul of the musical genius. A turnout of 50,000 to 60,000 people at a cremation is some indication of the respect and love Hazarika enjoyed among folks in Assam and the neighbouring states.
Earlier on Wednesday, thousands of people broke down as Assam bade tearful adieu to its pride Bhupen Hazarika with full state honours including a 21-gun salute. The cultural icon was cremated at the Gauhati University campus on the bank of the Brahmaputra. The remains, carried in a specially decorated vehicle from the Judges’ Field, reached the site of funeral at 9.30am. Tens of thousands of people had lined up all along the 15-km stretch. The last rites were performed by Hazarika’s only son Tez. The crowds cried, clapped and chanted ‘long live Bhupenda’ as the procession moved towards the cremation grounds on the banks of Brahmaputra. The cultural icon was cremated at the Guwahati University campus on the bank of the Brahmaputra.