Music Healed Riot-Torn Assam in 1960
Rimi Biswas Ph.D. Research Scholar, Calcutta University Abstract: In this paper, we tend to pay attention to such an incident that can be regarded as a unique one in the global context. Assam witnessed a horrible riot in the year of 1960 that is generally known as ‘linguistic riot’. The riot broke out after the decision on the government level to make the Assamese language the only official language in the state. The aftermath was just horrendous as vandalism started to take place in various belts of Assam. Bengali people, living in Assam faced brutal attacks at that point in time and subsequently, tension along with extreme violence gripped the whole state. Hemango Biswas, the legendary musical personality and political activist proposed Dr. Bhupen Hazarika for a joint ‘peace caravan’ to pacify the violence. Bhupen Hazarika readily accepted the proposal and the rest was history. For the first time, perhaps in the global context, too, Read More …