People in Assam paid tribute to music maestro Bhupen Hazarika on the occasion of his seventh death anniversary on Monday.

The day witnessed events like inauguration of a museum containing the singer’s memorabilia at his memorial at Jalukbari here, lighting of diyas by various organisations and individuals across the state and competitions on his songs by different academic institutions.

People organised programmes to pay tribute across the state and recalled the messages of brotherhood in his innumerable songs and other works.

In Guwahati, Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal, accompanied by cultural affairs minister Naba Doley and others, paid tribute to the singer at a programme organised by the state cultural affairs department at the singer’s memorial.

“Hazarika’s songs spoke of humanity and peace. He considered the whole world his home. Empathy for fellow human beings was the strongest quality of his character and we all must imbibe those values,” Sonowal said.

He inaugurated the museum Sonowali Suworoni. Visitors will be able to get an insight into the maestro’s creative process, witness some rare photographs and interviews.

Sonowal called on the youth to spread the message of unity on social media while defending the age old harmony of the Assamese society in the face of newer challenges.

He said Hazarika’s houses in Calcutta and Kuthori at Kaziranga would be preserved by the government. He said 300 bighas of land have been acquired for the purpose of setting up Dr Bhupen Hazarika Samannway Kshetra near Bhupen Hazarika Setu connecting Dhola with Sadiya.

All Assam Students’ Union members paid tribute to Hazarika across the state. In Guwahati, they paid tribute near his statue at Dighalipukhuri in the presence of the its leaders like Samujjal Bhattacharjya, Dipanka Kumar Nath and Lurinjyoti Gogoi. The president of Asam Sahitya Sabha was also present. Later, AASU members lit 10,000 diyas on the bank of Dighalipukhuri along with college and school students and other people.

Bibhinno Jonor Dristit Sudhakantha Dr Bhupen Hazarika, a book penned by Ananda Kalita, was launched here on Monday.

Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal pays tribute to the singer in Guwahati on Monday. UB Photos