Guwahati: Assam on Tuesday marked the 100th birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, with Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma paying tribute to the legendary artiste at Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Samannay Tirtha in Jalukbari, Guwahati.
Remembering Hazarika as the “Bard of the Brahmaputra”, Sarma said the cultural icon would continue to live on through his timeless creations. He also reaffirmed the state’s commitment to preserving and carrying forward Hazarika’s artistic and cultural legacy.
The Chief Minister’s tribute came as Assam and the rest of the country observe the birth centenary of the singer, composer, lyricist, filmmaker and poet whose work carried the culture, aspirations and social concerns of Assam to audiences across India and beyond.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid tribute to Hazarika on his centenary. In a message on X, Modi recalled how the legendary artiste’s voice carried the soul of Assam and the spirit of the Northeast to the entire nation. He noted that Hazarika’s music gave expression to the thoughts and feelings of countless people and brought communities closer.
The Prime Minister also recalled attending the beginning of Hazarika’s birth centenary celebrations in Guwahati last year, saying that the musician’s life and work would continue to inspire generations.
Year-Long Centenary Celebrations
The centenary commemorations were launched in Assam in September 2025, with the inaugural programme held at the memorial site in Jalukbari. The site, formerly known as Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Samadhi Kshetra, was renamed Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Samannay Tirtha during the centenary celebrations.
Prime Minister Modi participated in the major centenary programme in Guwahati on September 13, 2025, where he described Hazarika’s music as a force that united people and reflected the spirit of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat.
The year-long celebrations have included programmes and initiatives aimed at highlighting Hazarika’s contribution to music, cinema, literature and social thought across Assam and other parts of the country.
A Legacy That Transcends Generations
Born on September 8, 1926, in Sadiya, Assam, Dr. Bhupen Hazarika became one of India’s most influential cultural figures. His repertoire crossed linguistic and geographical boundaries, while his songs frequently addressed humanity, social justice, unity and the lives of ordinary people.
Popularly known as Sudhakantha and the Bard of the Brahmaputra, Hazarika received several of India’s highest civilian and cultural honours, including the Bharat Ratna, posthumously, in 2019.
His birth centenary has therefore become not merely a commemoration of an individual artiste, but a nationwide celebration of a cultural legacy that continues to connect Assam, the Northeast and the rest of India.
