Summary
Bhupen Hazarika’s birth anniversary marks the start of his centenary events, honoring his extensive effect beyond music. His art provided voice to the commoner, bridging linguistic and local divides, forming Assam’s cultural identity. Hazarika’s tradition of compassion and social awareness continues to motivate, advising us of our shared humankind and the value of remaining linked to our roots.
Today is a really big day for those enthusiastic about Indian culture and music-it is the birth anniversary of Bhupen Hazarika, likewise marks the start of his centenary events. What Hazarika offered us extends far beyond music. His works embodied feelings that went beyond tune – he was the heart beat of individuals.
From Assam, his voice streamed like a classic river, crossing borders and cultures, bring with it the spirit of mankind. Hazarika took a trip the world, however he stayed deeply linked to his roots. Assam’s abundant oral customs, folk tunes, and neighborhood storytelling practices formed his early life. These experiences formed the bedrock of his creative vocabulary.
At 5, he captured the attention of Lakshminath Bezbaruah, the pioneering figure of Assamese literature. By the time he was a teen, he had actually taped his very first tune. Music was just one part of his character. Hazarika wondered, articulate and driven by a pressing desire to comprehend the world. Legends like Jyoti Prasad Agarwala and Bishnu Prasad Rabha left a deep impression in him. It was this desire to find out that made him stand out at Cotton College, Banaras Hindu University, and took him to the United States, where he fulfilled Paul Robeson. Robeson’s 1927 tune ‘Ol’ Man River’ about the battles and challenges of African Americans and the unlimited circulation of the Mississippi River ended up being the motivation for Hazarika’s renowned structure, ‘Bistirno Parore,’ his homage to the magnificent Brahmaputra
Hazarika went back to India and immersed himself in music. From radio to theatre, function movies to documentaries, he practiced his art. Wherever he went, he supported young skill. His works integrated lyrical style and social messages. Through his music, he provided voice to the goals of boatmen, tea garden employees, ladies, farmers, and the commoner. He held up an effective lens to modernity. A great deal of individuals, specifically from the socially backwards classes like him, dervived strength and hope from his music.
The spirit of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’ discovered effective expression in Hazarika’s life journey. His music went beyond linguistic and local limits. He made up for movies in Assamese, Bengali, and Hindi and made Assam audible to the rest of India. It’s no exaggeration to state he assisted form the cultural identity of contemporary Assam, both for those within the state and the Assamese diaspora around the world.
Not a political individual, Hazarika was linked to public service. In 1967, he was chosen as an independent MLA from Nauboicha constituency, Assam. He was provided the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, and Dadasaheb Phalke Award. In 2019, he was provided the Bharat Ratna.
I keep in mind the time Bhupen Da died in 2011. Lakhs attended his funeral service. Even in death, he brought individuals together. It was fitting that he was cremated at the Jalukbari hillock neglecting the Brahmaputra, the really river that had actually been the lifeline of his music, metaphors and memories. Hazarika’s life teaches us the power of compassion, of listening to individuals, and of remaining rooted. His tunes continue to be sung by young and old alike. His music teaches us to be caring and brave. It asks us to bear in mind our rivers, employees, females and children.
As we commemorate the start of his centenary year, let us restate our dedication to spreading out Hazarika’s message everywhere.
It’s just fitting that a person of India’s most considerable infratructure tasks, the bridge linking Dhola and Sadiya, bears the name of Bhupen Hazarika – simply as his tunes linked hearts throughout areas, this bridge links lands and individuals.
(The author is Prime Minister of India)
(Disclaimer: The viewpoints revealed in this column are that of the author. The truths and viewpoints revealed here do not show the views of www.economictimes.com.)
