Guwahati: Assam government officials descended on Tollygunge this Sunday, September 6. They gathered at the former residence of legendary artist Bhupen Hazarika to kick off his birth centenary celebrations. Additional Chief Secretary Kalyan Chakraborty and Director of Culture Rahul Chandra Das led the delegation. Hazarika spent years at this site crafting his music.
Chakraborty praised the man’s massive reach. He stressed that the artist transcended regional borders. During the visit, Chakraborty stated, "Dr Bhupen Hazarika used to compose his music here in Kolkata. Everyone knows Dr Bhupen Hazarika. He is not only an icon of Assam and the Northeast, but an icon for people across the country and beyond."
Hazarika carried a rare mix of high art and deep theory. He earned his doctorate from Columbia University. He treated music like a hammer to build bridges between cultures. His songs championed social equality. He performed in Assamese, Bengali, and Hindi, pulling from diverse folk roots. Throughout his career, he worked alongside giants like Manna Dey and Lata Mangeshkar.
The official pointed to the track Manuhe Manuhor Babe as a prime example of his work. The song pushes for human unity over caste or creed. Officials thanked the residents of Kolkata for keeping his memory alive. Assam plans to keep the connection between the city and Hazarika front and center in the coming months.
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