On Wednesday, Assamese music icon Bhupen Hazarika was remembered on his 14th death anniversary, with singer-composer Papon paying tribute to the late legend, noting that his music continues to resonate even as his centenary is celebrated this year.
Taking to Instagram, Papon shared a photograph of Hazarika and wrote: “Remembering the enchanting voice of Assam, Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, on his 14th death anniversary. As we celebrate his centenary year, his music echoes in our hearts … and may it continue to inspire generations to come.”
Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff also honoured Hazarika on Wednesday. Sharing a monochrome picture of the music legend on his Instagram stories, Jackie highlighted the song Dil Hoom Hoom Kare, performed by Bhupen Hazarika and Lata Mangeshkar for the 1993 film Rudaali. In his caption, he wrote: “Remembering Bhupen Hazarika ji on his death anniversary.”
Bhupen Hazarika’s illustrious career earned him numerous accolades, including the National Film Award for Best Music Direction in 1975, the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Dadasaheb Phalke Award, and Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship. Posthumously, he was awarded both the Padma Vibhushan and the Bharat Ratna in 2019.
Hazarika’s songs are celebrated for their themes of humanity and universal brotherhood and have been translated into multiple languages, notably Bengali and Hindi.
His music, often centred on communal harmony, universal justice, and empathy, remains especially popular in Assam, West Bengal, and Bangladesh. Beyond this, he is credited with introducing the culture and folk music of Assam and Northeast India to Hindi cinema on a national platform. (IANS)