Music maestro Dr Bhupen Hazarika will be given the Bharat Ratna (posthumously) on August 8.
Along with Dr Hazarika, former President Pranab Mukherjee and social activist Nanaji Deshmukh will also be receiving the award.
A Rashtrapati Bhavan statement announced this on Sunday.
Bhupen Hazarika‘s son Tej Hazarika, who earlier had refused to receive the award, however, expressed happiness on the announcement.
He said that this is a great moment not just for Bhupen Hazarika’s family and fans, but also for the country as a whole.
Known for his baritone and soul touching music, Dr Bhupen Hazarika is one of the most respected Indian musicians worldwide.
Known for songs like ‘Bistarna Parorey’, ‘Manuhey Manuhor Babey’, ‘Mahabahu Brahmaputra’, and many more, Bhupen Hazarika was also a prolific filmmaker who directed 14 films.
He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1977, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1987, Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1992, Padma Bhushan in 2001, Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship in 2008, Asom Ratna in 2009, and Padma Vibhushan in 2012.