GUWAHATI, Dec 31 — It is a very good news for the people of the State. Maybe, it is a new year gift that may signal the beginning of a new era for the art and culture of the people of the State. Official confirmation is awaited though, the legendary singer, musician of the State Dr Bhupen Hazarika has been informed by the head of the Bengalee section of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Md A Haque that the Bengalee version of his Manuhe Manuhar Babe has been rated by the listeners of the BBC Bengalee Section as the best song of the 20th century.
Md Haque, who could contact Dr Hazarika, who is also the chairman of the Sangeet Natak Akademi, after great effort, told the latter over phone here only recently that 99 per cent of the listeners all over the globe ranked Manuse Manuser Janye as the best song of the last century. Md Haque also wanted to know from Dr Hazarika as to what inspired him (Dr Hazarika) to write the song. Manuhe Manuhar Babe was written, set to tune and sung by Dr Hazarika during the 1960 language movement and its related disturbance in the State, as a member of the Indian Peoples’ Theatre Association (IPTA). The members of the IPTA under the leadership of Hemanga Bishwas, travelled throughout the length and breadth of the State during that time with a view to restoring peace and mutual amity among the people.
Dr Hazarika, who had an informal talk with the newspersons here today, said that the power of the song was such that in many areas, many youths taking part in the 1960 disturbances, came to the IPTA team and laid down arms before its members. Again, in 1966, the peace mission to Nagaland led by Rev Scott with Late Jayprakash Narayan and former Assam Chief Minister Late Bimalaprasad Chaliha as its other members, requisitioned the service of Dr Hazarika for the purpose of restoring peace in the then trouble-torn Naga District of Assam. There too, Manuhe Manuhar Babe was sung in Nagamese. It worked, Dr Hazarika said.
“I have not composed any song without any purpose so far, none of my songs has been thrown out as meaningless”, he said boastfully. His Manuhe Manuhar Babe is translated in to several foreign languages like Japanese and Finnish. The Hindi rendition of the song is also a popular number. What is his message to the youths of the State at the threshold of the new year 2003? Dr Hazarika said, referring to another of his songs – “If your aim is to see a new sun on the horizon, please do not rush towards the setting sun”. Dr Hazarika, who considers his Bistirna Parare ..... Burha Luit Tumi, Burha Luit Bowa Kiya .... as the best of his compositions and Bimurta Mor Nishati Jen ... as the best of his love songs, is critical of the aping of styles and melodies as witnessed in the contemporary music world. “I believe in synthesis, not in confused sounds”, he said.
“I had discussion with promising singer and composer Adnan Sami, he told me that he was also adverse to such confusing mixture of styles and melodies. His ghazal-based compositions have become hit”, said Dr Hazarika. Reminiscing his past, the legendary musician told the newspersons how he tried to bring Padmashree Pratima Pandey Barua to the fore. How Mahuta Bandhure was produced to project Pratima Barua and how the then Prime Minister of India late Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru being annoyed with the plight of the mahuts, after seeing the film, recommended to each of the Indian embassies to procure print of the film and how Pratima Barua sang for the Guwahati Station of the All India Radio her immortal songs, which were christened for the purpose as Goalpariya geet, he narrated all these in a nostalic manner.
Pratima Barua was a flower gifted by goddess Saraswati, he said, as if in meditation, adding, she was the representative, epitome of the feelings of the mahuts, despite her royal legatory. Her voice was her biggest asset, he observed. Dr Hazarika who had to sell many of his gold medals presented to him for his creations/works, in the face of financial constraints, said that he made several films, except Mahuta Bandhure and Era Bator Sur, to eke out a living. He is still willing to make films provided he gets good producers and good stories. And in case of scoring the music for Assamese films? He said that he had received no invitation so far. “It hurts me”, he said.
And about the contemporary Assamese films? He said, he had the opportunity to see only a few which had failed to touch the chord of his heart. About his new songs? Dr Hazarika, who is busy in remaking 24 songs – eight, Jyoti Sangeet, eight, his own and eight, devotional, said that he was planing songs and globalisation and its impact, on terror – the confusion over freedom and terror, on universal characteristic of the mankind and some satirical compositions on the present life styles and patterns.