Guwahati: People from Assam paid tribute to the singer and composer Jayanta Hazarika on his 79th birth anniversary on Tuesday.
The statue of the musical icon at Chandmari in Guwahati received floral tributes. The day will also feature a number of programmes to celebrate the event.
Bhupen Hazarika, a famous Indian singer, had a younger brother named Jayanta Hazarika, also known as “Rana Da.”
Hazarika began his career by working with and travelling with Bhupen Hazarika.
Although Rana Da died at a young age of 34, he is widely regarded with ushering in a new musical era in Assam by fusing Assamese melodies with western musical styles including Blues, Jazz, Rock & Roll, and Western Classical.
He was a multi-instrumentalist who who collected traditional instruments from around the world.
Aagoli botahe kopale kolore paat and Krishnachura, two songs Jayanta recorded with HMV, served as the foundation for his career. In 1963, he performed his first playback vocal performance with the song “sonar baran pakhire tor” for the film “Maniram Dewan.”
Meanwhile, taking to twitter, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has penned down a heartfelt note in Assamese as a mark of respect to the music maestro.
CM Sarma wrote, “Today is the birthday of one of the greatest person who has enriched Assamese music, our much respected composer and singer Jayanta Hazarika. Rana Da’s magical voice and unique style of melody has given a new identity to Assamese music throughout the ages. I fondly remember our beloved artist on his birthday.”