A Study of Romanticism in Bhupen Hazarika's Lyrics
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Riverscapes, Seasons and Love: A Study of Romanticism in Bhupen Hazarika’s Lyrics A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy By Dhrubajyoti Malakar Roll No – 10614118 Department of Humanities and Social Sciences Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati Guwahati- 781039 Assam, India April 2019 TH-2000_10614118 Department of Humanities and Social Sciences Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati Guwahati- 781039 Assam, India DECLARATION I hereby declare that the thesis entitled “Riverscapes, Seasons and Love: A Study of Romanticism in Bhupen Hazarika’s Lyrics” is the result of investigation carried out by me at the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, under the supervision of Prof. Liza Das. The work has not been submitted either in whole or in part to any other University/Institution for a research degree. April 2019 IIT Guwahati (Dhrubajyoti Malakar) Roll No – 10614118 TH-2000_10614118 TH-2000_10614118 Department of Humanities and Social Sciences Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati Guwahati- 781039 Assam, India CERTIFICATE This is to certify that Dhrubajyoti Malakar has prepared the thesis entitled “Riverscapes, Seasons and Love: A Study of Romanticism in Bhupen Hazarika’s Lyrics” for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati. The work was carried out under my general supervision and in strict conformity with the rules laid down for the purpose. It is the result of his investigation and has not been submitted either in whole or in part to any other University/Institution for a research degree. April 2019 IIT Guwahati (Liza Das) Supervisor, IIT Guwahati TH-2000_10614118 TH-2000_10614118 Department of Humanities and Social Sciences Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati Guwahati- 781039 Assam, India DECLARATION I hereby declare that the thesis entitled “Riverscapes, Seasons and Love: A Study of Romanticism in Bhupen Hazarika’s Lyrics” is the result of investigation carried out by me at the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, under the supervision of Prof. Liza Das. The work has not been submitted either in whole or in part to any other University/Institution for a research degree. April 2019 IIT Guwahati (Dhrubajyoti Malakar) Roll No – 10614118 TH-2000_10614118 TH-2000_10614118 Bharat Ratna Sudhakantha Dr. Bhupen Hazarika (08/09/1926 - 05/11/2011) Mor gaan haok Bahu asthahinatar bipartite Manuhe manuhor babe Gabhir asthar gaan Jadihe akano nabhabe Akani sahanubhutire Mor gaan haok Bhabiba koneno koa – samaniya Kalpana-bilakhar bipartite (If man wouldn’t think for man Ek satya prakhastir dhyan With a little sympathy (Let my songs be Tell me who will, comrade) A profound assurance Against the pervading lack of trust. Let my songs be A hymn to truth Against false imaginings) TH-2000_10614118 Contents Page Acknowledgement i Preface iv Chapter I 1 Introduction: Romanticism, Lyric Poetry, and Assamese Romanticism Life and Works of Bhupen Hazarika Chapter II 44 Review of Literature: From Wordsworth to Hazarika Chapter III 81 Riverscapes: Mahabahu Brahmaputra, Mahamilanar Tirtha Chapter IV 117 Imagining Seasons: Sitore Semeka Rati Chapter V 147 The Many Faces of Love: Mor Marame Maram Bichari Jai Chapter VI 191 Conclusion: Bhupen Hazarika as a Romantic Selected Bibliography 213 Appendix I : List of the Selected Songs 273 TH-2000_10614118 TH-2000_10614118 Acknowledgements The thesis, “Riverscapes, Seasons and Love: A Study of Romanticism in Bhupen Hazarika‟s Lyrics” submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in English at Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IITG) has been an academic, and at the same time an emotional journey for me. I thank the Almighty for His benevolence and blessings to me during the journey. This invigorating experience could not have seen the light of day without the gracious support of the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences at IITG. I convey my heartfelt gratitude and thanks to all the respected teachers and staff of IITG for their kind co-operation. This study is a long passionate journey with Bhupen Hazarika to attain something new in Bhupen Hazarika studies. This emotional journey is regarded as my pilgrimage along with a group of passionate people who, actually, love and care Bhupen Hazarika from the core of their heart. I owe my sincere gratitude, respect and special thanks to my supervisor Prof. Liza Das for her guidance, motivation, encouragement, criticism, and understanding without which I could not have completed my work. Her intelligence, critical mind, creative sensibility, tenacious temperament, insightful attitude, and co-operative approach have made a difference. After the death of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika in 2011, three persons, namely Prof. Liza Das, Prof Krishna Barua and Prof. Archana Barua initiated and encouraged me to start my study for this venture in the lyrics of Bhupen Hazarika. They opened me up the enigmatic yet incredible world of Bhupen Hazarika. In the same breath I would like to offer my sincere gratitude and special thanks to Prof. Krishna Barua who co-supervised me till her retirement. I will remember her continuous guidance, motherly care and unflinching faith in me. I am equally indebted to Prof. Archana Barua, the chairperson of the Doctoral Committee for her invaluable suggestions, co-operation, and care. I would like to express my sincere thanks and gratitude to the other members of Doctoral Committee, namely Prof. Arup Kumar Sarma and Dr. Priyankoo Sarma who have provided me with the useful ideas and invaluable comments. I am truly grateful to Dr. Sukanya Sarma for her paper on issues of cultural studies during my course work. At the same time I would like to mention the other papers on crossing culture and invisible exchanges by Prof. Krishna Barua and on sign and symbol in myth by Prof. Archana Barua. During my long academic journey at the i TH-2000_10614118 department I had come across different kind of exchanges, besides Prof. Archana Barua, with Prof. Ruhini Mukashe Punekar, Prof. Arupjyoti Siakia and Prof. Mrinal Kanti Dutta as Head of the Department. I will remain grateful to them for their continuous help and encouragement. I am extremely indebted to Dr. Devapriya Basu for her sincere interest and advice. As classmate cum friend, the journey of research was started with Biswajit Kalita (Suren Das College, Hajo), Dr. Rosy Saikia, Dr. Sangita Bharati, and Dr. Minakshi Das, and Dr. Pankaj Singh at the department. The team spirit and the selfless help encouraged me to pursue my study. I acknowledge. During the last years, Dr. Arfan Hussain, Dr. Ratan Deka and Pankaj Kumar Kalita also joined and helped a lot. Rosy as a „little friend‟ remains truly sensitive, authoritative, and critical all throughout the years. I owe my sincere gratitude to Bedabrata Barua uncle and Pranab Barua uncle for their inspiration; Sunil Sarmada, Bandana Khataniarba, Durga Sarma, Parag Kalita, Rubul Malakar, and the technicians of Bani Mandir for their help, assistance, and co-operation. I must honestly add that I have received immense help and assistance of my well-wishers who are basically Bhupen Hazarika enthusiasts. I would like to take the opportunity to thank Tapanjit Rajkonwar (Ex-Principal), Rajib Mahanta, Dr. Saurabh Sengupta, Dr. Babita Kalita, Dr. Rumi Kalita from Damdama College, Kulhati for their co-operation and sensitivity at different times. Rajibda has been truly sensitive to the study. My deepest debt goes to Pranita Baishaya (Principal), Dipa Barua, Gitarani Das, Narayan Baishya, Kanak Kalita, Shekh Abdul Hamid, Dr. Himadri Bharali, Tutumani Kalita, Mitali Barman, Nikul Chaudhuri, Jonali Malakar, and Dimpi Baishya from Pub Bongsor College, Pacharia. I remember the ambiance created for research by Pranita Baishya. Hamid helps me a lot as a fan of Hazarika. Himadri has been an inspiration and motivation with her vibes, and „experiences‟ of her doctoral research. I acknowledge with sincere gratitude the well wishes and blessings of Prof. Utpal Barua (Department of Design, IITG), Kanak Das, Rabin Pathak, Sanatan Baishya (preferably his sensitivities), Gautam Baishya, Dipanka Goswami, Subhash Baishya, Champak Malakar, Indrakanta Baishya, Pradip Das, Nityananda Nath, Golok Das, Achyut Baishya, and Sailen Baishya. This acknowledgement is incomplete without acknowledgement, gratitude and thanks to my family members. Born and brought up in a join family of Bongshar, a village rich in culture and ii TH-2000_10614118 natural landscapes, I am grateful, thankful and responsible to each and every member of my „big‟ family. At a more personal level, I must remember and acknowledge my family members for their warm encouragement, constant understanding and patience during the period of my research. Without the blessings, motherly inspiration and encouragement, care and help of my ma, Chabini Malakar, and co-operation, help, understanding, sincerity, care, inspiration and encouragement of my wife Namita Malakar I would not be able to reach my destination. I owe my special gratitude and thanks to my mama Harmohan Malakar, pehadeo Dhiren Das, Anupda, Harenda, Nayanda, my sisters (Rani, Mani, Dali, Chinta, Pragnya, and Anju), My uncles (babudeuta Prabhat Malakar, majudeuta Dinesh Malakar, sarudeuta Hem Malakar, and chanadeuta Dayaram Malakar), my father-in-law Bipin Baishya, mother-in-law Padumi Baishya, my brothers-in-law (Deba Kumar Barman, Matilal Das, Sadananda Das, Samar Jyoti Kumar and Sanjib Sarma), Kabita baideu, Surajit, Dhruba, Sabita, Smriti, and last but not the least, my good luck charms, my daughter Piki (Prachurya) and my son Kuku (Kian Krit) who were born during my research. (Dhrubajyoti Malakar) IIT Guwahati April 2019 iii TH-2000_10614118 Preface This doctoral thesis, “Riverscapes, Seasons and Love: A Study of Romanticism in Bhupen Hazarika’s Lyrics” is a poignant blend of literary analysis of his lyrics through the lens of Romanticism; critical and creative essence of his life in composition of the lyrics; a stroke on his musicology, and, above all, love.