Bhupen Hazarika

Bhupen Hazarika was born on September 8, 1926, in Sadiya, Assam. He was the eldest of ten children and grew up in a family where music and education were important. His mother, Shantipriya Hazarika, sang lullabies, while his childhood surroundings exposed him to the folk music and traditions of Assam. He wrote and sang his first song at the age of 10.

Hazarika showed an early interest in cinema as well as music. At the age of 12, he acted and sang in Indramalati (1939), an early Assamese film. He later pursued higher education, studying at Banaras Hindu University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in 1944 and a master's degree in political science in 1946. He subsequently went to the United States and earned a PhD in Mass Communication from Columbia University. He also received a Lisle Fellowship at the University of Chicago.

During his years in the United States, Hazarika encountered different musical and cultural influences. He met the African-American singer and activist Paul Robeson, whose work influenced him significantly. Hazarika adapted the melody associated with Robeson's Ol' Man River into the Assamese song “Bistirno Parore,” which became one of his best-known compositions and was later rendered in other Indian languages.

After returning to Assam, Hazarika worked in education and later became involved with the Indian People's Theatre Association. His career expanded across singing, songwriting, composing, filmmaking, journalism and writing. He directed, composed music for and contributed songs to Assamese films including Era Bator Sur, Shakuntala, Pratidhwani and Lotighoti. His work helped strengthen the position of Assamese cinema and music beyond the region.

Hazarika's songs were distinguished by their strong connection to Assamese folk traditions and their focus on universal themes. His repertoire addressed humanity, equality, social concerns and communal harmony. His music also became popular in Bengali and Hindi, helping connect Assamese cultural traditions with audiences in other parts of India and Bangladesh.

He later made an important contribution to Hindi cinema. Among his notable Hindi-film projects were Arop, Ek Pal and Rudaali. His music for Rudaali earned the National Film Award for Best Music Direction in 1993. He also continued to work as a composer, singer and filmmaker across Assamese, Bengali and Hindi productions.

Hazarika received numerous major honors during his lifetime. These included the Padma Shri in 1977, the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1987, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1992, the Padma Bhushan in 2001 and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship in 2008. After his death, he was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 2012 and the Bharat Ratna in 2019. The Government of India's official Bharat Ratna notification confirms his posthumous Bharat Ratna award.

Hazarika also served as chairman of the Sangeet Natak Akademi from 1998 to 2003. His legacy continues to be preserved in Assam through institutions and cultural initiatives bearing his name, including the Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Regional Government Film and Television Institute and a museum dedicated to his life and work.

Bhupen Hazarika died in Mumbai on November 5, 2011, aged 85. His songs, films and writings remain closely associated with Assamese cultural identity while continuing to reach audiences across India and beyond.