MUMBAI: NEW DELHI: A mesmerizing colourful cultural fiesta was organized in the capital to mark the 85th birthday of living legend Bhupen Hazarika, the evergreen balladeer from the north east who has captivated the hearts of the nation through his singing and his music.

The programme was organized by Assam Association, Delhi, and Cotton College Alumni Association, New Delhi-NCR, in association with the Asom Sahitya Sabha, New Delhi Chapter; All Assam Lekhika Samaroh, Delhi and Just Be Friendly (JBF).

The programme commenced with the lighting of the auspicious lamp by Assam Culture Secretary Santanu Thakur, Economist Dr. Atul Sarma, former Vice-Chancellor of Arunachal University; and former Oil India CMD Binaybrata Sharma.

Kula Kamal Dewri, Curator at the National Museum, New Delhi, enthralled the jam packed audience with Dr. Hazarika's timeless song-Buku Hom Hom Kore....

Young Assamese men and women in Delhi presented a spellbinding rendition of the evergreen Bistirno Parore... in three languages - Assamese, Hindi and Bengali. It was directed by Robin Kalita, ED at Rail Vikas Nigam and an admirer of Bhupen-da.

One of the major attractions of the event was the Bhupen Hazarika Quiz... anchored by Robin Kalita. For answering the highest number of questions, the organizers specially awarded Shakya Shamik, Tanmoy Sharma and Rim Pathak.

A special portrait of Bhupen Hazarika, digitally sketched by Manik Pathak in one night was released by Manoj Kumar Das and was later handed over to the Assam Association for its public display.

Small children along with Nitya Saikia and Dr. Reena Sharma came to the dais for the cake-cutting ceremony on the occasion of Bhupen-Da's birthday. It was a huge 5 kg cake specially ordered for the occasion. Dr. Hazarika's immortal creation Mor Gaan Houk... was sung by Sarat Barkakati during cake cutting.

Moi Jen Ajiwan Uroniya a Mou..., a musical odyssey written and directed by Sarat Barkakati was presented. Indrajit Das and Mrs Trishna Barkakati anchored the programme. Bhupen-da's numerous fans were captivated with the mellifluous renditions of his superhit numbers by Robin Kalita, Devanga Pallav Saikia, Dipakshi Kalita, Marilyn Bordoloi, Ankur Dutta, Raj Ballav, Nabamallika  Bhagabati, Chandralekha Thakuria and Murchana Barkakati.

The presentation of beautiful dance numbers of Bhupen Da captivated all. Mridusmita Das's performed to the rhythm of Bistirno Parore... and a theatrical performance to the song Prochondo Dhumuhai... by Nabamallika Bhagabati and Snehe Amar Xhata Xhravanar... by talented Odissi danseuse Dipannita Das (daughter of famous Assamese actress Chetana Das) gave momentum to the show. The musical play ended with the singing of Hazarika's most famous song Manuhe Manhuor Babe....

Debojit Das (Key-Board), Kalyan Bania (Guitar), and Bhargav Bhushan Bhuyan (Tabla) gave the music for the play.

The evening ended with rendering of the National Song of Assam (O' Mor Aponar Dex). Earlier, the event began on a sad note with a one-minute silence to condole the demise of Pranabiram Barua, a prominent singer of Bhupen-da's songs.

A souvenir on the living legend published by the Assamese students at Delhi University was launched by Dwijendra Narayan Goswami, former Head of the Department of Assamese, Cotton College; and Dr. Reena Sharma. The souvenir titled Tothapitu Huwa Nai Klanto... titled Tothapitu Huwa Nai Klanto... conceptualised by Indrajit Das was edited by Ms Mitali Barman, an Assistant Professor at MIL at Delhi University in association with Tanmoy Sharma, Shakya Shamik Kar Khaund and Bikram Bora. It was published by Manoj Kumar Das.

Several speakers including Assam Association General Secretary Tridib Saikia, Hiranya Kumar Das, Chida Das, Kulaswami Lalowari and Pratima Thakuria highlighted the life and times of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika and focussed on the multi-faceted aspects of the socio-cultural icon. Later Manoj Kumar Das shared the contribution of Bhupen-da towards the building of Srimanta Sankaradeva Bhawan as a permanent nerve-centre of Assamese cultural activities in the national capital and prayed for his speedy recovery.