September 8, 2025

Today is a very special and zesty day for fans of Indian culture and music—it’s the birth anniversary of Bhupen Hazarika, the legendary voice from Assam. And guess what? This day also starts his sparkling centenary celebrations! But Bhupen Hazarika was not just about music. He was the soul and heartbeat of the people, singing stories that touched common folk from all walks of life. Born in Assam, his voice was like a timeless river flowing beyond boundaries, sharing feelings and hopes everywhere. Hazarika travelled widely but stayed deeply tied to his roots. His childhood soaked in Assam’s rich folk songs and community tales became the core of his art. At the tender age of five, he caught the eye of Lakshminath Bezbaruah, a giant in Assamese literature. By his teenage years, he’d already recorded his first song! But music was just the start. Bhupen was curious and hungry to know the world. He was inspired by legends like Jyoti Prasad Agarwala and Bishnu Prasad Rabha. His bright mind took him to Cotton College, then Banaras Hindu University, and finally the US, where he met Paul Robeson. Robeson’s song 'Ol' Man River' about struggles moved Bhupen deeply. It inspired his famous Assamese song 'Bistirno Parore,' a tribute to the mighty Brahmaputra river. Back in India, Bhupen dived into music through radio, theater, films, and documentaries. He helped young artists shine and used his songs to give voice to boatmen, tea garden workers, women, and farmers. His music was packed with social messages and a pulse on modern life. For many in backward classes, his songs were beacons of hope. Bhupen Hazarika lived the spirit of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat' by breaking language and regional walls. He composed in Assamese, Bengali, and Hindi, making Assam’s culture heard loud across India. It’s no exaggeration to say he helped shape modern Assam’s identity, touching hearts both home and abroad. Though politics was not his main game, he served as an independent MLA from Nauboicha, Assam, in 1967. His treasure chest of honors includes Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, Dadasaheb Phalke Award, and finally, the Bharat Ratna in 2019. When Bhupen Da passed away in 2011, lakhs of people came to pay tribute. True to his spirit, even his funeral united everyone. He was cremated on the Jalukbari hillock overlooking the Brahmaputra—the very river that flowed through his songs and memories. Bhupen Hazarika's life teaches us to be kind, listen deeply, and stay close to our roots. His songs are alive, sung by old and young, reminding us to honor our rivers, workers, women, and youth. As we celebrate the start of his 100th year, let's promise to spread his message far and wide. Isn’t it heartwarming that India’s gigantic Dhola-Sadiya bridge also carries his name? Just as his songs bridged hearts, this bridge connects lands and people.

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Tags: Bhupen hazarika, Assam, Music legend, Centenary celebrations, Brahmaputra, Indian culture,