Presented by Bhupen Hazarika Foundation [BHF] with EPICENTER
Thank you kindly for gracing our Bhupen Hazarika Centennial Celebration with your presence. Undeniably, Assamese culture was in the house — a taste of the rare sub-culture of Northeast India, in real time right next to New York Harbor. Happily, it turned out to be a lively and collaborative gathering inspired by the life and legacy of the Bard of the Brahmaputra, Bhupen Hazarika, as his songs, music and message of universal humanism continue to bring people together across borders.
As a ‘kickoff’ event with promise of more in the coming year there is much to unpack and learn about curating culturally rich and knowledge expanding gatherings for all ages. In the spirit of your voluntary participation on Nov 22nd, we invite you to work with us in creating such participatory events for attendees of all ages and interests. We all witnessed a relaxed atmosphere with voluntary offering to share what we love, a friendly space populated with an open minded and appreciative audience. For 5 hours, we were mentally “bridged” between Manhattan and Tejpur, Assam. Most would agree that discovering and affirming our humanity through sharing our artistry can bring people together across generations.
There were stories, conversations, dances and performances as promised and conversions between people. In hindsight, proof in video recordings soon to be shared publicly, much seems possible and we gratefully accept this opportunity to build on it. In keeping with Bhupen Hazarika’s enduring legacy, it is our intention to sensitize people to our inherent beauty and humanity through the practice and the appreciation of the arts including music, dance, writing, theater and other sense and heart felt activities.
Big thanks to EPICENTER’s Mitra Kalita and Nitin Mukul for collaborating and funding the full rental expense of the auspicious space (25 Broadway) made available by Brice Bowman (Teach for America) who beyond the call of duty kept refilling the hot water thermoses for tea for the guests and a lot of heavy lifting. We thank Malabika Borah Brahma for organizing our friends and families from New Jersey to attend in full regalia and love we could feel. We thank each and every performer/contributor, named in the program below for offering your heartfelt performances. Kin folk came from miles around with songs in their hearts and yes, a smile was on every face—again, a testament to Bhupen Hazarika’s drawing power.
Below follows a partial report of the event, more photos than videos for now. We have yet to edit/clean up the complete video we will share with you in the future.
On behalf of BHF and EPICENTER we wish you and your families safe and happy holidays. Let’s make next year a great year. We hope you will share this news with your friends.
—Tej and Sage on behalf of BHF
We apologize for the missing videos still to be edited.
Introduction
TEJ HAZARIKA, MITRA KALITA,
NITIN MUKUL and SAGE HAZARIKA
Videos to come!
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Remembering
ZUBEEN GARG, SAYED SADULLA, DIPAK SARMA, RAMCHARAN BHARALI
Four Assamese musicians remembered.
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1. A video message from Adil Hussain
click to view ADIL HUSSAIN message
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2. Shloka, Classical Sattriya Dance,
Borgeet to commence celebration.
MONALISA MAJUMDAR & NABANITA DUTTA
Videos to come!
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3. My Connection to Bhupen Hazarika
TEJ HAZARIKA
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4. The Diaspora and Perspectives for the Future
MITRA KALITA ENGAGES TEJ HAZARIKA & SAGE HAZARIKA
Videos to come!
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BREAK
NOTES
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PERFORMANCES
5. Era Bator Xur ( view vintage video clip)
XAGOR XONGOMO: With PRIYAM HAZARIKA
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6. Gunga Mur Ma Song
About Bhupen Hazarika
ARPITA MOOKERJEE GOGOI
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TRIPTI BORAH
Videos to come!
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Tribute Song Video: Jibon Manei Zubeen
NAHID AFRIN
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8. Bistirna Parore & A Personal Anecdote
SYEDA JEBEEN SHAH
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RAAGIINII
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Hoihobote Dhemalite Tumare
Umola Monot Aase”
ANKOOR ROY
Videos to come!
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Musical Group performing: Modarore Phool, Aji Jibon Butolibi, Manuhe Manu Hor Baabe.
Jebeen Shah (vocals), Tej Hazarika (guitar and vocals),
Robert Mansfield (melodica), Nitin Mukul (dhole)
Videos to come!
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These are kindly sent video contributions we were not able to view at the event.
Please checkout these formidable homages to the songs
Dr. Satyandra Kumar Choudhury
Aami Axomiya
Rupam Sarmah
Bistirno Parore
