Anil Hazarika, a prominent 70-year-old lyricist, composer, and vocalist celebrated for preserving the traditional linguistic nuances of the greater Jessore region, has appealed for state financial assistance to undergo essential medical treatment. The folk artiste has been incapacitated by severe heart disease for the past five years, leaving him financially exhausted and unable to continue his creative pursuits.
Throughout his career, Hazarika composed, wrote, and performed approximately 1,300 regional songs, many of which achieved widespread broadcast on national radio and television networks. Reflecting on his current isolation at his ancestral home, Hazarika expressed profound regret over his forced retirement, stating, “I can no longer perform songs.”
Early Life, Career, and Cultural Impact
Born the eldest son of the late Hazari Lal Biswas, Hazarika originates from Tilkhari village within the Dhaneshwargati Union of Shalikha Upazila, Magura. Due to severe economic hardship, he was forced to abandon his formal education at the age of 15 to assist his father with manual labour. He inherited his musical inclination from his father, who provided his initial training.
By the age of 20, Hazarika began writing original compositions, drawing heavy inspiration from the distinct colloquial dialect of the greater Jessore region. In 1985, his contributions were formally acknowledged when he was enlisted as an official performing artiste with Bangladesh Betar (Khulna station). Beyond his recorded broadcast material, Hazarika successfully archived around 1,300 regional folk tracks, though he noted that numerous other unwritten compositions have been lost over time.
Artiste Profile and Institutional Recognition
| Category | Personal and Professional Details |
| Full Name | Anil Hazarika (Age: 70) |
| Parents | Late Hazari Lal Biswas and Mother (Family of 3 brothers, 2 sisters) |
| Residency | Tilkhari Village, Shalikha Upazila, Magura |
| Enlistment | Bangladesh Betar, Khulna Station (Enlisted in 1985) |
| Total Archived Catalogue | Approximately 1,300 regional folk songs |
| Key Institutional Honours | Rajshahi University (Department of Folklore), Nrityabitan (Jessore), Magura Shilpakala Academy |
Medical Crisis and Appeal for State Aid
The artiste’s current domestic situation is marked by poverty. He resides in a modest corrugated iron-roofed dwelling with his wife, Jyotsna Hazarika, following the marriage and departure of their two daughters. According to his wife, the family has expended over 400,000 Bangladeshi Taka on various medical consultations and preliminary treatments since the onset of his cardiovascular illness five years ago. Despite these expenditures, his condition has not improved. She maintained that with advanced, specialised medical intervention, her husband could potentially recover sufficiently to resume writing and performing.
In recognition of his lifelong dedication to safeguarding regional cultural heritage, Hazarika has previously received formal accolades from the Department of Folklore at the University of Rajshahi, the Nrityabitan cultural organisation in Jessore, and the Magura Shilpakala Academy.
Responding to the artiste’s predicament, the Shalikha Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), Tanvir Hasan Chowdhury, stated that if Hazarika submits a formal written application for financial aid to either the Deputy Commissioner or the Upazila administration, the government will officially review his case for monetary support.