Music maestro Bhupen Hazarika died in a hospital in Mumbai on Saturday after multi-organ failure. He was 86.
The singer-composer’s health deteriorated on October 23 after he contracted pneumonia. He had to undergo minor surgery whereby doctors placed a food pipe in his body. He was suffering from respiratory and kidney failure and his condition had deteriorated significantly in the last few days.
Filmmaker Kalpana Lajmi, his long-time companion, was by his side when he passed away.
“He was extraordinary. We won’t have another Hazarika again. I have lost my father, my brother, my lover, my husband, my friend, my mentor and my guide. I had a relationship with him for 29 years and suddenly he is gone now,” Ms Lajmi said,
Ms Lajmi, who collaborated with the musician in her films, like Ek Pal, Rudaali and Daman, said Hazarika was not just a singer but also a great social reformer. “He created national integration. He brought Northeast India, Bangladesh and eastern India together on the world map,” she added.
The official statement from the hospital said, “Bhupen Hazarika has been in the ICU for the last four months, on and off requiring ventilator support. Over the last three to four days his condition deteriorated with him being on the ventilator and also requiring dialysis due to kidney failure. His level of consciousness had also deteriorated with multiple organs not functioning. His condition took a turn for the worse and he succumbed today at 4.37 pm.”