Shillong: Academics, artists, and officials packed the St. Edmund’s College Auditorium in Shillong last Friday. They gathered to watch Bhupen Da Uncut. The documentary honors the late Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, the legendary musician and Bharat Ratna recipient. The Centre for North East Studies and Policy Research teamed up with the college to host the event.
Filmmaker Bobbeeta Sharma directed the piece while Chinmoy Sharma produced it. The crew filmed the project in England back in 1999. It features rare footage and personal chats that map out Hazarika’s philosophy and music. Principal Secretary Frederick Roy Kharkongor kicked off the program. Attendees included former Education Minister Manas Chaudhuri and Shillong Times Editor Patricia Mukhim.
C-NES Founder Sanjoy Hazarika moderated a post-screening talk with the director. Bobbeeta Sharma shared stories from the 1999 shoot and pushed for better archival efforts. She noted the power of his work. During the talk, she reflected on "the importance of preserving archival material on one of the Northeast’s greatest cultural icons."
Speakers highlighted how Hazarika’s songs bypassed borders. His lyrics gave a voice to everyday people across the nation. He remains a pillar of social thought and literature. The audience left the auditorium having honored a giant of Indian culture.
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