Guwahati: Tributes poured in for legendary musician Bhupen Hazarika across Assam on Tuesday, September 8, as the state commemorated his 100th birth anniversary and began a year-long celebration of his extraordinary cultural legacy.
The main tributes were held at Bhupen Hazarika Samannay Tirtha, the memorial built at the place where the celebrated artiste was cremated in November 2011. Students, professionals, music lovers and members of the public joined political leaders and elected representatives in paying their respects.
Assam Governor Laxman Prasad Acharya, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and state Congress president Gaurav Gogoi were among those who visited the memorial and paid homage to Hazarika.
The centenary programme will continue throughout the year, highlighting Hazarika’s vast body of work and his influence on music, cinema and India’s cultural landscape. His compositions, deeply rooted in Assam’s people, traditions and social realities, have remained relevant and widely listened to across generations.
Sarma also remembered Hazarika in a post on X, describing the legendary artiste as an integral part of Assam’s collective identity.
“Dr Bhupen Hazarika is more than a name; he is an emotion that lives in the heart and soul of Assam. His timeless music and profound words continue to inspire generations,” the chief minister wrote.
Sarma said the nationwide centenary observance was a recognition of Hazarika’s lasting cultural impact and his role in bringing Assam’s stories, aspirations and identity to audiences beyond the state.
Paying tribute to the artiste on his birth anniversary, the chief minister referred to him as the legendary ‘Sudhakantha’.
Hazarika’s artistic journey went beyond Assamese music, with his songs and films spanning multiple Indian languages and contributing significantly to the country’s cinematic and musical traditions. The year-long celebrations are expected to showcase his artistic legacy and examine his wider contribution to Indian culture.