Guwahati, September 8, 2026 — Assam paid heartfelt tribute on Tuesday to one of its most cherished cultural icons as the state marked the 100th birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika, the legendary singer, composer, lyricist, filmmaker and poet widely known as the “Bard of the Brahmaputra” and “Sudhakantha.”
At the Bhupen Hazarika Samannay Tirtha — the memorial built at the site where the artiste was cremated in November 2011 — leaders, artists, students, government officials and ordinary citizens gathered through the morning to offer floral tributes and remember a life that shaped Assamese identity and carried the voice of the Northeast to the rest of India.
Assam Governor Laxman Prasad Acharya, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and state Congress president Gaurav Gogoi were among the prominent figures who paid homage. Schoolchildren, college students, office-goers and music lovers joined the solemn ceremony, turning the memorial grounds into a living space of collective memory.
In a message posted on social media, Chief Minister Sarma captured the depth of public feeling. “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,” he wrote. Sarma added that the year-long nationwide celebrations had reaffirmed the enduring legacy of the Sudhakantha, whose voice carried Assam’s stories, aspirations and cultural identity far beyond its borders.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid tribute, describing Hazarika’s contribution in words that resonated across the country. “On his 100th birth anniversary, remembering the legendary Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Ji. His voice carried the soul of Assam and the spirit of the Northeast to the entire nation,” the Prime Minister posted. He recalled attending the launch of the birth centenary celebrations in Guwahati last year and said Hazarika’s life and work would continue to inspire generations. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and other national leaders joined in offering similar tributes, highlighting how Hazarika’s songs brought Assamese culture onto a wider stage while promoting themes of unity and social justice.
Born on September 8, 1926, in what is now Tinsukia district, Bhupen Hazarika rose from modest beginnings to become one of India’s most influential cultural figures. A gifted singer and composer, he wrote and performed in Assamese while also contributing to Hindi, Bengali and other Indian languages. His songs spoke of the Brahmaputra’s restless flow, the struggles of ordinary people, the beauty of Assam’s landscapes and the deeper human longing for justice and harmony. Tracks such as “Bistirno Parore,” “Manuhe Manuhor Babe” and “Moi Eti Jajabor” became anthems that transcended regional boundaries.
Hazarika was equally accomplished as a filmmaker and music director. He directed and scored several films that explored social themes, and his work helped introduce Northeast India’s cultural vocabulary to national audiences. Awarded the Bharat Ratna in 2019 posthumously, he remains the only person from Assam to receive India’s highest civilian honour. He passed away on November 5, 2011, at the age of 85, leaving behind a body of work that continues to be sung in homes, schools, cultural programmes and protest gatherings alike.
The centenary year, which began with formal celebrations last September, has been observed across Assam with concerts, seminars, film screenings and educational programmes. On Tuesday, cultural organisations in Guwahati and other towns organised special events featuring Hazarika’s songs performed by both veteran artists and younger singers. In many schools, students recited his lyrics and discussed the social messages embedded in his music.
Looking ahead, the Assam government has announced that the year-long commemorations will culminate in a grand programme in New Delhi on November 29 at Bharat Mandapam. Chief Minister Sarma confirmed that Prime Minister Modi is expected to attend the concluding event, bringing the national celebrations full circle.
For many in Assam, the centenary is more than a ceremonial milestone. It is a moment to reaffirm cultural continuity at a time of rapid change. Hazarika’s music, which often addressed inequality, displacement and the search for identity, still speaks to contemporary concerns. His insistence that art must engage with the lives of ordinary people continues to influence a new generation of Assamese writers, musicians and filmmakers.
As the tributes concluded at the Samannay Tirtha on Tuesday morning, the strains of Hazarika’s songs could be heard floating across the memorial grounds. For those present, the occasion was both a celebration of a remarkable life and a quiet reminder that the Bard of the Brahmaputra remains, in the words of the Chief Minister, an emotion that still lives in the heart of Assam.