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Renowned indian violinist Sunita Bhuyan has enthralled music lovers all across the globe and last Friday was no exception either as her talent left Dubai mesmerised.

It was an unforgettable evening when an inspired artist came up with a virtuoso performance, striking a chord with everyone who loves music and Bhupen Hazarika.

It’s been a year since the iconic Indian musician Hazarika passed away, leaving millions in his home state, Assam, with broken hearts. Bhuyan, whose undying passion for violin began 33 years ago, also hails from the same state.

She took her first steps as a young violinist under the guidance of Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee Minoti Khaund – her mother, mentor and her greatest inspiration. Now based in Mumbai where she often shares the creative stage with leading musicians of the country, Sunita found an invitation from the UAE’s Assam Society to perform in memory of the late Hazarika too tempting to resist.

“I wasn’t really planning to come here to do a show. I was coming here anyway with my family for the year-end holidays and that’s when I came to know that the Assam Society here wanted to pay tribute to Bhupen Hazarika. Probably I was destined to play my part. I am just so glad to be able to pay homage to the Bard of Brahmaputra,” said the elegant Bhuyan on stage.

A recipient of the Indira Gandhi Priyadarshini award for excellence in music, Bhuyan was modest enough to admit that it took her many years to truly realise and understand the versatile genius of Bhupen Hazarika.

“Bhupen da (as he was affectionately called by his fans) was not just another great singer. He was someone who could compose, write his own lyrics and fascinate listeners with his hauntingly powerful vocals. He lived the life of a romantic hero, a poet, a philosopher, a journalist and a revolutionary through his music. He wanted his music to be the mirror to the people and longed to enlighten them.”

It was then that she played one of Hazarika’s most iconic songs - Manuhe Manuhor ba be jodi he okonu nabhabe, okoni xohanubhutire, bhabi kune kua, xomoniya? (If men won’t think of men with little sympathy, tell me who will, comrade?).

“My thoughts and prayers are with the Delhi gang-rape victim who has been battling for life just because there has been an appalling lack of humanity in today’s world and this song aptly portrays that,” Bhuyan remarked before captivating the audience at the auditorium of the Consulate General of India in Dubai with Manuhe Manuhor ba be.

She also played a ew of his all-time classics – one of which was Dil Hoom Hoom Kare from the 1993 movie Rudali when Hazarika got ‘the nightingale of India’ (Lata Mangeshkar) to render her voice to one of his greatest creations.

rituraj@khaleejtimes.com