‘Bard of Brahmaputra’ Bhupen Hazarika Remembered on His Death Anniversary

One of the nation’s most renowned musicians, Bhupen Hazarika, well known by his stage name Sudhakantha, passed away on November 5.

Hazarika, also referred to as the Bard of the Brahmaputra, was born on September 8, 1926, in the Assamese town of Sadiya.

In the age of 85, the Bharat Ratna recipient passed away on November 5, 2011 at Mumbai’s Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital from old age-related illnesses.

On the occasion of his passing, political figures from Assam honoured the great singer.

“Sudhakantha Dr. Bhupen Hazarika sang the melodies of mankind and spread the message of fraternity to the world,” said Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Twitter. His creations are as timeless as the majestic ancient Luit. My sincere shraddhanjali to Bharat Ratna, Bhupen da, on his smriti diwas.

On the anniversary of his passing, Dr. Hazarika was also commemorated by the chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Pema Khandu, who wrote: “Bharat Ratan Dr Bhupen Hazarika – Our reverence and humble homage on his punya tithi. We can still hear Dr. Hazarika’s “Arunachal Hamara” in our hearts.

“The Bard of the Brahmaputra, Sudhakantha Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, had brought wonderful Assamese culture to the globe through his timeless melodies of peace & love, which have been our continual source of inspiration. Sincere congratulations to Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, the Bharat Ratna, on his Punyatithi, said Assam Minister Bimal Borah.

It has been 11 years since Bhupen da passed away, yet he continues to be the Assamese people’s lifeline, stated Minister Atul Bora on Twitter. The ageless songs and works of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika are brilliant diamonds. He is among the greatest in the world in addition to being a Bharat Ratna. On his Punya Tithi, tributes are paid to the renowned artist.

Several details regarding the Bard of Brahmaputra:

1. The eldest of his 10 siblings, Hazarika was born into a family of painters.
2. His mother, who exposed him to Assamese folk music, taught him how to sing.
3. It was no surprise that Hazarika turned out to be a musical genius and produced his first original work of art at the age of 13, given that music had been a part of his life since he was a little child.
4. When Hazarika was a teenager, he composed his first song, which caught the interest of renowned Assamese writer Jyotiprasad Agarwala and visual artist Bishnu Prasad Rabha. Hazarika’s talent only improved under the direction of professionals and artists.
5. Hazarika graduated from the Banaras Hindu University with a BA in 1944 and an MA in political science in 1946.
6. Before pursuing his musical career, he went on to earn his doctorate from Columbia University in New York, United States, in 1952.
7. Paul Robeson, a well-known civil rights activist, became friends with Hazarika while the two were both studying in New York in the early 1950s. Robeson’s influence led Hazarika to write the well-known song Bistirno Parore, which was based on the imagery and theme of Robeson’s Ol’ Man River, which highlighted the pervasive racial discrimination in the nation. The song, which has been translated into other Indian languages, is still regarded as one of Hazarika’s epic songs and was one of the turning points in his career.
8. In addition to expanding his artistic career, Hazarika also directed acclaimed Assamese movies like Pratidhwani and Shakuntala Sur (1961). (1964).
9. Hazarika also contributed significantly to Hindi Cinema, writing the music for movies like Arop, Ek Pal, and Rudaali.
10. He received the 1993 Best Music Director National Award for Rudaali, and from 1998 to 2003, he served as chairman of the Sangeet Natak Akademi.