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Tezzbuzz Desk – Today is the birth centenary of great singer, musician and filmmaker Bhupen Hazarika, honored with Bharat Ratna and Dadasaheb Phalke Award. Bhupen Hazarika, who emerged from the land of Assam and made a name for himself in the country and the world through his voice and music, is being remembered on his birth centenary. However, considering the level of cultural personality he was, there is not much discussion about his birth centenary.

Bhupen Hazarika was born on 8 September 1926 in Tinsukia, Assam. He was not just a singer but also a composer, lyricist, film director, writer and producer. The soil of Assam, struggle of the common man, social concern and spiritual consciousness are visible together in his works.

Gave national recognition to the voice of Assam

Bhupen Hazarika played an important role in giving recognition to Assamese culture and music across the country. The fragrance of soil and deep impression of folk life was heard in his voice. He sang in Assamese as well as Hindi and Bengali and took his music to a wide audience.

His songs not only contained entertainment but also raised questions about society. From the suffering of the poor and weaker sections to humanity, spirituality and the voice of change, everything can be seen in his works.

'Dil Hum Hum Kare' made a special place

The pairing of Bhupen Hazarika and filmmaker Kalpana Lajmi was also very popular in Hindi cinema. The 1993 film 'Rudaali' is a great example of this. The music of this film starring actors like Dimple Kapadia, Raj Babbar, Raakhee and Amjad Khan was given by Bhupen Hazarika.

The song 'Dil Hum Hum Kare' from the film is still very popular among the people. It was sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Bhupen Hazarika in their respective voices. While in Lata's voice the song got a different expansion, in Bhupen Hazarika's voice the depth of folk culture and soil is felt in it.

Big question raised in 'Why does Ganga flow?'

The specialty of Bhupen Hazarika's songs was that he directly questioned the society. 'Ganga Behti Ho Kyun' is one such song, in which he questioned the social inequality and the condition of the weaker sections with faith.

This question appears again and again in his works that if Ganga gives freedom to everyone, then why does it not give strength to the weak and deprived people of the society.

This is the reason why Bhupen Hazarika's music is not only audible but also forces one to think.

Was an expert in not just one but many disciplines.

Bhupen Hazarika's talent was not limited to singing only. He directed films, composed music, wrote songs, screenplays and was also involved in the production of films.

He also worked in Assamese films as well as Hindi and Bengali cinema. He was associated with veteran artists like Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Hemant Kumar and Balraj Sahni.

He had a long creative partnership with Kalpana Lajmi. Both of them worked together in films like 'Ek Pal', 'Rudaali', 'Darmiyaan' and 'Daman'.

Selected artists to receive Bharat Ratna in the field of music

Bhupen Hazarika was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna, the country's highest civilian honour, in 2019. Before him M.S. in the field of music. Great personalities like Subbulakshmi, Pandit Ravi Shankar, Lata Mangeshkar, Ustad Bismillah Khan and Pandit Bhimsen Joshi had received Bharat Ratna. From this it can be estimated how big was Bhupen Hazarika's contribution to Indian music and culture.

Bhupen Hazarika died on 5 November 2011, but his voice is still alive in his songs. Be it 'Dil Hum Hum Kare' or 'Ganga Behti Ho Kyun', his songs still attract the new generation.

His birth centenary is not just an opportunity to remember a great artist, but also an opportunity to re-understand the music and ideology in which the voice of folk culture, humanity and social change is heard together.