Guwahati: PM Narendra Modi will confer the “Dr Bhupen Hazarika National Award” on singer Usha Mangeshkar at the closing ceremony of the birth centenary of the Bard of the Brahmaputra in New Delhi on Nov 29, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Friday.The CM launched an online registration portal for the public wishing to attend the grand closing ceremony at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. Registrations will commence on Nov 6.Addressing the media, Sarma said, “Usha Mangeshkar has given her consent to receive the honour and PM Narendra Modi will confer the award on her.” He added that the Nov 29 evening closing ceremony will feature a special musical presentation celebrating the timeless creations of Bhupen Hazarika.Sarma said the closing ceremony would bring together eminent artistes such as Shreya Ghoshal, Shankar Mahadevan, Kalpana Patowary, Angaraag Mahanta (Papon) and Kavita Krishnamurti, among others, who will perform Hazarika’s immortal compositions.Representing Assam, Tarali Sarma, Mousumi Saharia, Sankuraj Konwar and Mayukh Hazarika will also perform.“A major highlight of the evening will be the participation of 1,000 artistes from Assam, who performed at the inaugural ceremony of the birth centenary celebrations. Joining the national and local artistes, they will collectively perform Bhupen Hazarika’s iconic songs ‘Manuhe Manuhor Babe’ and ‘We Are in the Same Boat, Brother’. In addition, 1,000 college students from Assam associated with music and cultural activities will attend the event. The education department has coordinated their participation, and a special train has been arranged to facilitate their journey to New Delhi,” the CM said.He added that the programme would have an overall audience capacity of approximately 5,000.“Ambassadors of various countries, governors, chief ministers, Union ministers, MPs, representatives of political parties and other distinguished personalities associated with Bhupen Hazarika’s legacy will also be invited,” he added.
