> Creative > Book Review
Bhupen Hazarika is a name that needs no introduction. He is not only a great singer, musician, poet and writer, he is an institution in himself. This multifaceted personality has been awarded Bharat Ratna posthumously this year (2019) along with the former Indian President Pranab Mukherjee and social activist Nanaji Deshmukh (posthumously). Every song of his is infused with humanism, love, compassion and a larger social message. He sings about joys and sorrows of the masses.
So far many books have been written about Bhupen Hazarika and his oeuvre of works. But Bhupen Hazarika: As I Knew Him is special because it has been penned by none other than Kalpana Lajmi, the critically acclaimed film director who stood by Bhupen Hazarika through thick and thin. In the foreword she mentions, “My love story with Bhupen Hazarika did not follow a normal pattern ---and that is why it needs to be told.” It is an account of the maestro by someone who has been more close to him than anyone else. It also dispels several misperceptions that people had towards Lajmi.
Indeed, this book happens to be one of the most interesting biographical works I have ever come across. Lajmi has shown dexterity as a biographer par excellence. This book is not simply a biography of Bhupen Hazarika, it also gives a parallel graphic autobiographical account of Lajmi and her life. The narrative of the book is so spontaneous and captivating that the reader will not feel monotony at any point. It will help the readers to decipher various aspects of Bhupen Hazarika’s personality.
It is a poignant tale of unflinching love and sacrifice, resentment and affection. It unravels certain aspects of Bhupen Hazarika’s personality hitherto unknown to the world. Lajmi delicately depicts the eccentric nature of Bhupen Hazarika, his childlike tantrums, his fears and insecurities, his hardship and struggles.
Lajmi describes in the book how she met Bhupen Hazarika and fell in love with him instantly and how this obsession grew stronger over time. It is noteworthy that when the seventeen year old Lajmi first met Hazarika, the later’s age was forty five. In spite of that Lajmi confesses without any hesitation that she was head over heels in love with Bhupen Hazarika who was initially slightly baffled with the obsession of the former for a middle aged man. The book reveals that the relationship between Bhupen Hazarika was a symbiotic one. While Lajmi stood like a pillar beside Bhupen Hazarika and provided him emotional support every moment, the latter gave space to Lajmi to hone her skills as a film director and carve out a niche for herself and develop an identity of her own. The love and mutual care for one another is the quintessential feature of this evergreen couple.
However, Lajmi laments that Bhupen Hazarika was reluctant to recognise this relationship in public or to enter the institution of marriage with her, and instead he introduced her just as his manager. Furthermore, Bhupen Hazarika’s immediate family and the people of Assam had been extremely unfair to her until recently and made false accusations against her that she had been sort of blackmailing Hazarika. But, nothing could stop Lajmi from loving Bhupen Hazarika and vice versa.
The book also brings to light the love of Bhupen Hazarika for his homeland Assam and its people. Bhupen Hazarika through his every song tried to deliver a message to the people and uplift their morale. For example, during the Assam movement, he stirred the conscience of the people through his soulful renditions. The people of Assam loved him like a god. People from all parts of Assam, people from all political shades, and his fans from world over, came forgetting their mutual differences to attend his funeral and pay their last homage to the Sudhakantha (the sweet voiced) as he was called. Lajmi records this in her memoir how Hazarika’s funeral created a sea of humanity unprecedented in the history of Assam. With his impeccable academic record including a PhD from Columbia University, Bhupen Hazarika could have led a lavish academic life in any reputed universities; instead he preferred to be a full time singer amidst poverty. The sight should also not be lost from the fact that during those days the singers did not get lucrative dues like today.
Lajmi also brings to light the steadfast principles of Bhupen Hazarika. For example, she notes how he was deeply influenced by socialism, how he refused to commercialise himself by endorsing products (except a star cement ad which he did towards last years to slightly ameliorate his economic crisis). Such personal integrity and high thinking is rarely seen among the singers of present generation.
Another fascinating aspect of this book is the inclusion of translated version of some of the immortal songs of Bhupen Hazarika. This will take the message of his songs to a wider audience who do not know the Assamese language.
However, one or two minor factual errors are also seen in the book. At one instance, Kalpana calls ULFA (United Liberation Front of Assam), the major militant group of Assam as a political party. Such factual errors could have been avoided with a little bit of more research. Nevertheless, the book will surely leave an indelible imprint in the mind of the readers. It will remain one of the most fascinating accounts on Bhupen Hazarika’s life and persona ever written.
Navigations 
Quick Contact
Subscribe Us
Quick Mail
