The voice of Bhupen Hazarika, popularly known as the ‘Bard of Brahmaputra’, resonated at the Rajpath as the Assam tableau, depicting the handloom of the state inspired by Mahatma Gandhi made its way during the Republic Day celebrations, a day after the Bharat Ratna was posthumously awarded to him.
A poet, music composer, singer, actor, journalist, author and filmmaker, Hazarika, the self-proclaimed jajabor (wanderer) took the rich folk heritage of Assam and interpreted it beautifully for the world through his songs. The front portion of Assam’s tableau showcased a life-size Assamese woman working on her loom production, depicting the growth of cottage industry.
Middle portion showed typical Assamese ‘Sarai’ followed by Sattriya Dance performed with the song “Mahatmai Hasi Bole-Ram O Rahim” in voice of Hazarika.