Assam remembers ‘Bard of Brahmaputra’

Guwahati: Music maestro Bharat Ratna Bhupen Hazarika, who used music as a weapon for social reform, was fondly remembered across the state on his 96th birth anniversary on Thursday for his enormous contribution to uniting and strengthening the greater Assamese society.
The state government paid rich tributes to the ‘Bard of Brahmaputra’, who donned several hats – that of a singer, composer, lyricist, filmmaker, among many others — at a programme organised by the cultural affairs department at his Samadhi Khetra in Jalukbari.
Union home minister Amit Shah tweeted: I bow to Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika Ji, an amazing musician with an exceptional voice, on his Jayanti. With his versatile and mesmerizing songs, he popularised Indian music & Assamese folk culture across the world. His contribution to the world of music & art is commendable.”
Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said his (Hazarika) life is an inspiration for the people of Assam. “His immortal tunes still rule the hearts and minds of millions and his ideals of humanism hold true today despite the fast-changing moral dynamics. Dr Hazarika will continue to flow like a perennial stream in the hearts and minds of the young generation forever,” he added, while expressing his gratitude to him for working tirelessly towards uniting the people of the region.
Cultural minister Bimal Borah inaugurated the newly installed Rongdhemaly Kshetra, an amusement park for children, at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra in Panjabari and extended a part of the Sudhakantha Dr Bhupen Hazarika Museum.
He said, “The amusement park and the extended part of the museum will attract more visitors. Bhupen Hazarika is himself an institution. There is a lot to learn from his creations. The new generation must go through the legend’s works.”
Bharat Ratna was awarded to Hazarika posthumously in 2019, eight hours after his death. Commentary on the plight of the marginalised sections of society, socio- economic issues, among others, can be found in his compositions.