Sudhakantha Dr. Bhupen Hazarika

That 10 year-old boy, Who impressed the pioneer of Assamese film Rupkunwar Jyoti Prasad Agarwal, stole millions of hearts across the nation throughout his melodious journey. Referred to as the uncrowned king of music in the Northeastern India, Bhupen Hazarika was a legendary cultural icon in India, Who brought the region together through songs of brotherhood and humanity. ‘Bhupen Da’ was one of the northeastern socio-cultural reformers, Who nurtured sub- nationalism among Assamese people as well as Introduced folk cultures at the national stage.

In 1935, Bhupen Hazarika met Assam’s veteran cultural idols Jyoti Prasad Agarwal and Bishnu Prasad Rabha and accompanied them to kolkata to record his first song in a studio. At the age of 12 he sang songs for the second Assamese film Indramalati. After that he created music for hundreds of films including ‘Era Bator Sur’. His songs tell people’s stories and represent various aspects of life. Bhupen Hazarika, Who was influenced by his parents in music, was an artist with high value and morality.

After receiving his doctorate in Mass Communication from The Columbia University, he became a teacher at The Gauhati University for a few years. during that period he began close association with The Indian People’s Theatre Association. The Indian People’s Theatre Association (IPTA) is the oldest association of theatre artists in India, which was established in 1943 in Bombay to bring cultural awakening among the people of India. The IPTA Organized various cultural troupes, local theatre groups and cultural activists at the national level. The activists and the artists in those groups were ideologically inspired by left movement. Bengal famine of 1943, starvation deaths in India, fascist aggression in Soviet Union and The Quite India Movement triggered the members associated with the Association. The group of the members presented its objective and ideology through the medium of theatre so that people can understand their rights and duties. Later it began working as the cultural front of the Communist Party of India.

The Assam division of IPTA was formed in 1947. many eminent personalities including Bhupen Hazarika worked with the Association for the development of humanity through Culture.

In 1955, Bhupen Hazarika became the secretary of the reception committee of the Third IPTA’s All Assam Conference held in Guwahati. Due his contiguous involvement with IPTA, it was alleged that he was associated with leftists and compelled to quit his job at Gauhati University.

The selfless artist, Who composed the Anthem of The Gauhati University, ‘Jilikabo Luitore Par‘ resigned from the University and moved out to Kolkata in 1950 to focus on his musical career. That decision was a turning point in his professional life. There he established himself as a successful singer and music director.

In 1992, Bhupen Hazarika was awarded Dadasaheb Phalke Award. The Asom Ratna honour was given him in 2009. He was awarded the highest civilian award of India, Bharat Ratna in 2019for his significant socio-culturalcontributions.

Sudhakantha Bhupen Hazarika was the people’s artist, Who guided people through difficult times. The singer with a baritone voice, wanted reformation until his death. His enormous cultural contributions and ‘man is for humanity’ ideology will be always remembered with gratitude and as inspiration for the socio-cultural revolution in the entire north-eastern region of India.

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