Thaindian News

Guwahati, Nov 5 (IANS) A pall of gloom descended over Assam Saturday with the news of music maestro Bhupen Hazarika’s demise coming in.

“I feel as if I have lost my soul. It’s a loss for the entire country. I don’t have words,” Sudakshina Sharma, younger sister of Bhupen Hazarika, said.

She is also a singer and stays in Guwahati.

“Not only it is a personal loss, but his demise is surely the end of an era. He would however continue to live forever by way of his compositions,” said younger brother and singer Samar Hazarika.

“His loss is a great loss for the country. His music was universal,” Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said.

“His spirit was great, but what to do, his body gave way. It is a very difficult time for all of us. The doctors did a wonderful job,” his close friend and director Kalpana Lajmi said.

“Buku Hom Hom Kore”, “Bistirno Paarore”, “Manuhe Manuhor Babe”, “We are in the same boat brothers”, “Sagar Hongomot”, and “Moi Eti Jajabor” were some of his best compositions.

Impromptu prayer meetings were being held across the state. Fans and well wishers across Assam came out on the streets singing his popular songs and holding street corner prayer meetings by lighting earthen lamps.

“The voice of India, especially the eastern region, has come to a halt. But his songs would continue to live with us for generations to come,” said Arunim Das, a Hazarika fan.

Heartrending scenes were witnessed with people literally breaking down.

“His songs provided us solace in times of distress. Most of his numbers were immortal,” said Bina Goswami, another of his millions of fans.

Meanwhile, the state government has begun making arrangements for his last rites expected to take place in Guwahati on Wednesday or Thursday.

“We are numbed by his death. His songs would continue to stir the imagination of generations to come,” said Zubeen Garg, music sensation of Assam who shot to national fame with his hit ‘Ya Ali’.