GUWAHATI, Sept 8 — The Assam government has officially commenced year-long birth centenary celebrations of Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, the legendary singer, composer, poet, and cultural icon whose works continue to resonate across generations. The inaugural ceremony was held at Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Samannay Tirtha in Guwahati, where he was cremated in 2011, marking the beginning of a series of tributes planned across the state and beyond.
Governor Laxman Prasad Acharya and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma led the tributes, joined by Hazarika’s son Tez Hazarika and family, who arrived from the United States to attend the event. A musical programme and ceremonial flag-raising by 100 prominent personalities added emotional depth to the occasion.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah paid rich tributes to Hazarika on social media. Modi penned an article reflecting on the bard’s life and influence, while Shah described him as “the Bard of Brahmaputra,” whose voice carried the spirit of Assam to the world. Chief Minister Sarma echoed these sentiments, calling Hazarika’s life “a poetry in itself” and a symbol of love and humanity.
The centenary celebrations will span cultural performances, academic seminars, exhibitions, and community events throughout the year. A major musical programme is scheduled in Nagaon on September 10, where 15,000 students will sing Hazarika’s iconic song “Manuhe Manuhor Babe” in unison, aiming to set a record with the India Book of Records in attendance.
The Bhupen Hazarika Cultural Trust will host events at Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra, including lamp-lighting ceremonies and musical tributes. Additional commemorations are planned in Arunachal Pradesh, Kolkata, and Mumbai—regions closely tied to Hazarika’s life and career.
A commemorative biography will be distributed to 10 lakh readers across India, translated into multiple languages, and a documentary film is in development. The state government is also pursuing the issuance of a commemorative coin and the naming of a major infrastructure project in his honor.
Born on September 8, 1926, in Sadiya, Assam, Bhupen Hazarika’s contributions to music, cinema, and social thought earned him the Bharat Ratna in 2019 and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. His centenary celebration is not only a tribute to his artistic genius but also a reaffirmation of his message of unity, empathy, and cultural pride.
