More than 5400 guitarists simultaneously played to pay a tribute to Assam’s most celebrated musical icon the Late Dr Bhupen Hazarika, popularly known as ‘Bhupen-da.’
The ensemble, which played the musical icon’s immortal number ‘Bristrirno Parore’ entered the ‘Limca Book of Records’ but fell short by less than a 1000 participants to enter the ‘Guinness World Records’ as the largest guitar ensemble, Ankur Dutta, said on behalf of the organisers.
The participating guitarists were mostly from the northeast region.
The current Guinness Record for the largest guitar ensemble is held by Poland, after 6346 guitarists played a common tune at Wroclaw on May 1, 2009.
“We wanted to pay a musical tribute to Bhupen-da, who passed away last year. However, the idea of making a record for the largest guitar ensemble was a part of the inspiration,” Mr Dutta said.
The event, which drew most of the veteran musicians of Assam as also members of younger generation, played the evergreen tune of Bhupen-da for about seven minutes at the Sarusojai Stadium in Guwahati.
The previous Limca record for the largest guitar ensemble was created in Shillong in 2007 when 1730 guitarists played together Bob Dylan’s famous number ‘Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door.’
“We are happy that people came out in such large numbers. The ensemble has been given a provisional certificate for creating a new national record by Limca Book of Records. We will now strive for the world record for the largest guitar ensemble,” Mr Dutta said.
India Abroad News Service
