Last rites of Bhupen Hazarika: The legend's last journey

Teej Hazarika performs the last rites of his father music maestro Bhupen Hazarika in Guwahati.

Scores of people queued up on the streets of Guwahati to pay their last tributes to probably Assam's most loved and admired personality, Dr Bhupen Hazarika, also one of the greatest musicians of India.

His last rites were performed at the Shishu Udayan in the Guwahati University campus at Jalukbari by his only son Tez Bhupen, who arrived from New York on November 8.

A converted Buddhist, Tez performed the last rites as per Hindu custom. "Thank you very much for your love and support. I have no words to describe what I am witnessing here. It is an expression of love for my father's work and how it affected people at the emotional level. This is a very special occasion. My father is not there but his works and words will live forever among the people who should read and understand him more," he said.

The funeral, originally scheduled for yesterday, was rescheduled by the Assam government in view of thousands of people queuing up to pay their last respects.

Fans from across India and Bangladesh have descended for a last glimpse at Judges Field in Guwahati, where his body was kept in a glass case.

Scores of people at the cremation ground