The Assam government has acquired the land and house that once belonged to Bharat Ratna Bhupen Hazarika at Kuthori near the Kaziranga National Park to set up a cultural centre.
Kaliabor Sub-divisional Officer P K Das had handed over the seven bighas of land to the cultural department last month.
Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!
The Assam government proposes to set up a cultural project at the site in Nagaon district, which will include a museum, a cinema hall and a library to preserve Hazarika’s creations, including his songs and literary works, said an official.
The music maestro had bought the land under the Kaliabor sub-division in 1974 and built a house, naming it ‘Apon Ghar’ (home of one’s own).
He also had plans to set up a cultural centre there, family members said.
Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!
Hazarika had created several evergreen songs and written many literary pieces at this house.
Due to some unavoidable circumstances, however, he had to sell both the land and the house, but his fans had urged the state government to acquire those and set up a cultural centre in his memory.
The owner of the property, who did not wish to be identified, decided to give it to the state government for setting up the project as a tribute to Assam’s cultural doyen, officials said.
A statue of the musician has already been installed in front of the house.
Former chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal and his cabinet colleagues had taken a decision to buy back the property and set up a cultural centre.
Hazarika passed away on November 5, 2011 at Mumbai and was cremated at Jalukbari in Guwahati.