Bhupen Hazarika, also known as Sudhakantha, one of the country’s most revered musicians, died on November 5th. Hazarika, also known as the Bard of Brahmaputra, was born on September 8, 1926, in Assam’s Sadiya town.
At the age of 85, the Bharat Ratna recipient passed away on November 5, 2011 at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai from old age ailments. Assam’s political leaders remembered the legendary singer on his death anniversary.
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal wrote on Twitter, “Sudhakantha Dr. Bhupen Hazarika sang the songs of humanity and carried the message of brotherhood to the world. His works are as immortal as the grand old Luit. On his smriti diwas, my deepest shraddhanjali to Bharat Ratna, Bhupen da.”
Dr. Bhupen Hazarika was also remembered by Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on his death anniversary, writing, “Bharat Ratan Dr Bhupen Hazarika – Our reverence and humble tribute on his punya tithi. Dr Hazarika’s ‘Arunachal Hamara’ still reverberates in our hearts.”
“The Bard of Brahmaputra, Sudhakantha Dr #BhupenHazarika, through his immortal songs of peace & love, had taken the magnificent Assamese culture to the world which has been our constant source of inspiration. Humble tributes to the Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika on his Punyatithi,” Assam Minister Bimal Borah said.
Minister Atul Bora also took to Twitter and wrote, “It’s been 11 years since Bhupen da left us, but he still exists as the lifeline of the Assamese people. Dr. Bhupen Hazarika’s timeless songs & works are bright gems. He is not only a Bharat Ratna, but among the best in the world. Tributes to the great artist on his Punya Tithi.”
Some facts about the Bard of Brahmaputra:
- Hazarika was born into an artistic family and was the eldest of ten siblings.
- He learned to sing from his mother, who introduced him to Assamese folk music.
- With music in his life since childhood, it’s no surprise that Hazarika became a musical prodigy and created his first original piece of art at the age of 13.
- When Hazarika was a teenager, he wrote his first song, which drew the attention of noted Assamese lyricist Jyotiprasad Agarwala and artist Bishnu Prasad Rabha. Hazarika’s talent only improved with professional and artistic guidance.
- Hazarika graduated from Banaras Hindu University with a BA in 1944 and an MA in political science in 1946.
- He went on to earn his doctorate in 1952 at Columbia University in New York, United States, before pursuing a musical career.
- While studying in New York in the early 1950s, Hazarika met Paul Robeson, a renowned civil rights activist, whose influence inspired him to write the famous song Bistirno Parore, which was inspired by the imagery and theme of Robeson’s Ol’ Man River, which highlighted the country’s rampant racial discrimination. The song became one of Hazarika’s defining moments and is still regarded as one of his epic compositions, having been translated into several Indian languages.
- Hazarika expanded his creative career by directing award-winning Assamese films such as Shakuntala Sur (1961) and Pratidhwani (1962). (1964).
- Hazarika also contributed significantly to Hindi cinema, composing music for films such as Arop, Ek Pal, and Rudaali.
- He received the National Award for Best Music Director for Rudaali in 1993 and served as chairman of the Sangeet Natak Akademi from 1998 to 2003.