A brief note on Bhupen Hazarika Cultural Trust

Tucked in the northeast corner of India, Assam serves as the gateway to the entire Northeast. The beautiful landscape of the Brahmaputra valley in Assam, with its blue hills and verdant valleys are shaped and sustained by the mighty river Brahmaputra, aka, Luit. On 8th September, 1926, Sadiya, a small but vibrant town on the banks of the Luit, near the eastern frontier of Assam witnessed the birth of Bhupendra Kumar Hazarika. The new born baby grew up to be one of one greatest balladeer of India and the pride of Assam, Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, fondly called ‘ Xudha Kontha,’ by the people of Assam, he left for his heavenly abode on 5th November, 2011.

A multi faceted genius, Dr. Bhupen Hazarika stood like a colossus in the socio-cultural field of Assam over half a century. The message of humanity and harmony, spread through his ever green songs, excelling in lyrics, melody and his unique style of inter active performance kept his audience enthralled. He was both the symbol and source of national harmony in Assam. His contribution to Indian cinema has been acknowledged by the Government of India with Dada Saheb Phalke award.

Bhupen Hazarika cultural Trust (BHCT), a duly registered Trust was created by Dr. Bhupen Hazarika in 2000. Dr. Bhupen Hazarika was the settler and the life term Chairman of BHCT. The objectives of the Trust include proper preservation and dissemination of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika’s creations in various forms. BHCT is also committed to promote research and preservation of the creations of other Maestros of the world. During his Chairmanship, BHCT published notations of 100 of his selected songs. A number of workshops were organised to properly train the future generation in proper rendering of his songs. These workshops were held in various parts of the state followed by a central level workshop at Guwahati. A state level competition of Bhupendra Sangeet was held among the trained participate of these workshops.

After the demise of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, Smt Kalpana Lajmi was elected as Chair Person Cum Secretary in 2011, in accordance with the expressed wish of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika. BHCT has undertaken to involve all ethnic groups national organizations in its mission to preserve the rich heritage left for us through the life-long dedicated work of creative geniuses like Dr. Bhupen Hazarika.

In February 2012, BHCT organized a representative meeting of various ethnic groups and national organizations. After deliberations with the representatives, it was decided that state level workshops would be held to create a pool of trained artists who would be conversant with the notations and proper rendering of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika’s songs. This pool of trained artists would, in turn, propagate and disseminate the notations and proper renderings of the great maestro’s songs through localized workshops. A number of state level workshops have been successfully held with participation from all over Assam. The participants of these workshops have been holding local level workshops in their respective areas. Notations of another thirty of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika’s songs were prepared by engaging the services of acknowledged experts and published. The process of preparing proper notations of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika’s songs is on and till date, notations have been completed and published for 100 songs created by the Xudha Kontho. Implementing another decision of the representative meeting, a number of ‘Bhupendra Sangeet Sorcha Kendra’ has been set up in various places of Assam. These kendras, though autonomous, work in tandem with BHCT, as affiliated bodies. The process of setting up more Kendras are on.

It was also decided in the representative meeting to celebrate Dr. Bhupen Hazarika’s Birth Anniversary in various locations of Assam and the Northeast, regularly, on a central basis, to propagate his songs, and the philosophy within them, all over the state and the Northeast and to interact with the local cultural and social milieu.