The famous lyricist, musician, singer, poet and filmmaker of the subcontinent, Bhupen Hazarika was remembered through a two-day programme  titled ‘Bhupen Hazarika Utsab’ at the National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on Wednesday and Thursday.  The celebration was organised by Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Friends of Bangladesh and Bhupen Hazrika Cultural Trust on the occasion of the 90th birth anniversary of late singer-lyricist Bhupen Hazarika.
Beginning on September 7, the two-day programme featured seminars and performances based on Bhupen Hazarika’s songs by local and Indian artistes.
On Wednesday, Cultural affairs minister Asaduzzaman Noor inaugurated the festival as chief guest, while State minister for foreign affairs Shahriar Alam, former Guwahati University vice-chancellor Dr Amar Jyoti Chowdhury, Bhupen Hazrika Cultural Trust advisor Anuradha Sharma Pujari were also present.
After the inauguration ceremony, Indian singer Rupom Bhuiyan rendered ‘Akashi Ganga’, ‘Dil Hum Hum Kaare’ and a few other songs, while noted local singer Khairul Anam Shakil enthralled the audience with his rendition of ‘Ganga Amar Ma’. Besides, noted singers of Indian and Bangladesh rendered several songs of Hazarika including ‘Joy Joy Nabojaato Bangladesh’, ‘Aaj Jibon Khuje Pabi Chhute Chhute Aay’
On the concluding day, Prime Minister's International Affairs Adviser Dr Gowher Rizvi attended the programme as chief guest. In his speech he said, “The legendary artiste came to my house and participated in a musical show at my home. Those memories are really unforgettable to me.” Presided over by Friends of Bangladesh coordinator ASM Shamsul Arefin, the programme was also attended by Sammilita Sangskritik Jote President Golam Quddus, journalist Ajit Bhuiyan, MP Pankaj Nath, journalist Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul, singer Kalika Prasad.  
‘Dohar’  band leader Kalika Prasad said, “He created a new genre in the Bangla song in the 50-60 century. Through his modern songs he told about human and told about life.”
The programme ended with the music performances of the Kolkata-based band ‘Dohar’. Artistes of ‘Dohar’ rendered ‘Manush Manusher Jonya’, ‘Dola Hey Dola’, ‘Gaan Hok Bohu Asthahinotar Biporite’ and others.
Besides, a two-day workshop was held at the event conducted by Bhupen Hazarika’s widow Manisha Hazarika and BSA Director General Liaquat Ali Lucky. l