Assam Launches Year-Long Centenary Celebrations Honouring Bhupen Hazarika

On September 8, the Assam government launched year-long centenary celebrations in honor of Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, recognizing his immense contribution as a singer, composer, and cultural icon. Governor Laxman Prasad Acharya and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma paid floral tributes at Hazarika’s memorial at the Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Samannay Kshetra in Guwahati, the site where he was cremated in November 2011. The inaugural event saw 100 prominent personalities hoisting a flag in his honor, followed by a musical programme celebrating his timeless legacy.

Hazarika’s only son, Tez Hazarika, along with his wife and child, traveled from the United States to participate in the centenary events. The celebrations will also host Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is scheduled to attend on September 13 during his two-day visit to Assam, highlighting the national significance of the commemoration.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma described Hazarika as a global voice of humanity and an enduring source of inspiration. In a statement on X, Sarma emphasized that Hazarika’s life and works exemplify dedication to human values, with his love for Assam and India serving as inspiration for all. He lauded the maestro for taking Assam’s cultural heritage to the world through his soulful melodies, making humanity his central theme and love his anthem.

The Chief Minister also acknowledged the unprecedented recognition accorded to Hazarika by the BJP-led Central government, including the posthumous Bharat Ratna award, the renaming of Dibrugarh Airport in his memory, and the issuance of a commemorative coin featuring his likeness. Hazarika’s younger brother, Samar Hazarika, expressed gratitude for the state government’s efforts to celebrate the centenary on such a grand scale, noting that this is the first instance an Assamese artist has received such nationwide recognition. He also thanked NGOs and cultural institutions for organizing parallel events across the state.

The Bhupen Hazarika Cultural Trust, founded by the maestro himself, organized cultural programmes at Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra in Guwahati, which included musical performances and ceremonial lighting of lamps in front of his museum. District administrations across Assam have lined up similar tributes, reflecting the state’s deep reverence for the late legend. In Nagaon, a musical programme scheduled for September 10 will feature 15,000 students from universities, colleges, and schools performing Hazarika’s immortal song “Manuhe Manuhor Babe” (If humans do not care for humans) at Nurul Amin Stadium. Representatives from the India Book of Records will document the event, further underlining its significance.

Bhupen Hazarika, affectionately called “Sudhakantha” (the Bard of the Brahmaputra), was born on September 8, 1926, in Sadiya, Tinsukia district. His music, deeply rooted in Assam’s cultural ethos, transcended geographic and linguistic boundaries, uniting people through universal themes of humanity, justice, and empathy. Over his lifetime, Hazarika used his artistic talent to inspire generations, addressing social issues and promoting cultural pride while simultaneously building bridges across communities.

The centenary celebrations, spanning an entire year, aim to commemorate Hazarika’s contributions to music, literature, and social consciousness while inspiring future generations. Through nationwide and state-level cultural programmes, student participation, and official honours, Assam seeks to reaffirm Hazarika’s enduring legacy and the timeless relevance of his message of love, humanity, and social responsibility. This extensive commemoration positions Hazarika not just as a regional or national icon but as a global ambassador of Assamese culture, ensuring that his influence resonates for years to come.