Statues of Bhupen, Zubeen unveiled in Naharkatia

Dibrugarh: Naharkatia MLA Taranga Gogoi on Saturday unveiled statues of Bharat Ratna Bhupen Hazarika and singer Zubeen Garg at Gandhi Bazar at Naharkatia in a ceremony attended by residents, admirers and cultural enthusiasts.The statues were built at a cost of Rs 10 lakh from the MLA Local Area Development Fund, fulfilling a long-standing commitment by Gogoi to create a permanent landmark honouring two of Assam’s most influential cultural figures.The event turned into a cultural programme as local schoolchildren and women’s groups performed songs associated with both artists. Gandhi Bazar echoed with Dr Hazarika’s folk-based classics and Zubeen Garg’s popular contemporary numbers.

Speaking at the event, Gogoi said, “This is a small effort to pay my respects to two icons who have defined our identity. Bhupen Hazarika is the soul of our heritage and Zubeen Garg is the heartbeat of our modern era. Their contributions go beyond music, they have taught us to love our land and its people. Seeing these two legends side-by-side reminds us of the strength of our culture. I hope these statues serve as a constant source of inspiration for the youth to embrace and preserve our rich cultural traditions.

”Bhupen Hazarika is widely recognised for using music as a vehicle for social change and communal harmony, while Zubeen Garg is credited with reshaping Assamese popular music while retaining its regional roots.The programme ended with floral tributes at the base of the statues.