To take the words & works of the Bard of Brahmaputra Dr Bhupen Hazarika to a wider audience around the world, the Government of Assam launched a year-long-celebration commemorating the centenary of arguably one of Assam’s most famous sons on September 8.
Kicking off the grand celebrations, Governor of Assam Laxmanan Acharya and Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma offered floral tributes to the cultural icon at Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Samannay Kshetra in Guwahati. As part of the ceremony, 100 prominent personalities hoisted a flag in his honour, followed by a musical programme dedicated to his timeless legacy.
The Assam Governor, who led the State in paying tribute, stated, “The centenary celebration is not merely an event of remembrance, but a festival of inspiration, aimed at igniting the imagination of generations to come. This is a celebration of the soul of Assam, a tribute to a man whose voice echoed not only across our State but throughout the nation and the world.”
He added, “Dr. Hazarika didn’t merely sing, he stirred the conscience of a nation. His music was a rallying cry against injustice and a bridge connecting communities, cultures, and generations. Dr. Bhupen Hazarika was not just a cultural icon; he was a humanist, a visionary, and a voice for the voiceless.”
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said, “As per the recommendation of the Core Committee of Centenary Celebrations, ‘Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Samadhi Kshetra’ has been renamed and henceforth from today onwards will be known as the Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Samannay Kshetra. Further, during this Bohag Bihu we have appealed to the Bihu committees to dedicate at least one evening in the name of Bhupen da. This will be our effort to remember Bhupen da from Sadia to Dhubri ”
He described Hazarika, a Bharat Ratna, as a global voice of humanity and an eternal source of inspiration and posted in X, “His life and times are an example in itself. His love for Assam and Bharat is one to take inspiration from by all. We celebrate the life of a legend who carried Assam to the world through his soulful melodies and made humanity his tune and love his anthem.”
The Chief Minister also highlighted the unprecedented honour accorded to Hazarika by the BJP-led Government at the Centre, which posthumously conferred the Bharat Ratna on him, renamed Dibrugarh Airport in his memory.
Meanwhile, district administrations across the State also undertook various initiatives to pay respects to the Sudhakantha.
On September 10, the Nagaon district administration provided a phenomenal tribute to Dr Bhupen Hazarika where 16,747 students sang “Manuhe Manuhor Babe” in unison, securing a place in the India Book of Records. The event, organised at the Nurul Stadium under the Nagaon Sports Association, saw participation from 63 educational institutions, including high schools and colleges across the district.
In this regard, the official District Commissioner Nagaon posted in X, “A golden chapter etched in Nagaon’s history. 15,0000+ voices united in a Mahasangit honouring Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika. Nagaon proudly enters the India book records- a symbol of unity, culture & respect for the legend.
The Central Bureau of Communication (CBC) Guwahati held a week-long series of commemorative programmes to celebrate the 100th birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhupen Hazarika. These programmes were held at various locations in Assam to honour his unparalleled contribution to music, literature, culture and social thought.
As part of the celebrations, a cultural programme was organised at Guwahati’s Dighalipukhuri Park, where departmental artistes of the Song & Drama division performed popular songs sung and composed by the Bharat Ratna.
In addition to cultural tributes, awareness programmes were also conducted to engage communities on key themes in Morigaon on September 10 and 11. At Jaluguti Higher Secondary School in Morigaon district, a programme was held highlighting Swachhata Hi Seva, Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam, and Nasha Mukt Abhiyan, along with the ongoing birth centenary of the legend.
Carrying forward the centenary tribute, on September 15, Inland Water Authority of India organised “Bistirna Parore” a musical voyage retracing the Bard’s eternal bond with the Brahmaputra at Pandu Port in Guwahati. The voyage, which began on September 8 from Guijan in Tinsukia, has traversed the Brahmaputra from Sadiya to Dhubri. The unique initiative combines music, culture and river-based travel to celebrate the life and work of Dr. Hazarika while highlighting the Brahmaputra’s vast untapped potential as a river cruise tourism destination.
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal emphasising the dual significance of the initiative, said, “This voyage is not only a tribute to Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, who gave voice to the Brahmaputra, but also a step towards realising the river’s promise as a cultural and economic lifeline. River cruise tourism can transform Assam’s economy by creating jobs, drawing global visitors and integrating local communities into sustainable development.”
The Union Minister said that river cruise tourism on the Brahmaputra can become Assam’s calling card to the world, “It offers the best of both worlds: breath taking natural beauty and an unmatched cultural narrative. Through initiatives like Bistirna Parore, we want to position Assam on the global river cruise tourism map.”
