View: Bhupen Da, a mighty river of timeless music that bridged cultures

Today is a very special day for those passionate about Indian culture and music - it is the birth anniversary of Bhupen Hazarika, also marks the start of his centenary celebrations. What Hazarika gave us extends far beyond music. His works embodied emotions that transcended melody - he was the heartbeat of the people.

From Assam, his voice flowed like a timeless river, crossing borders and cultures, carrying with it the spirit of humanity. Hazarika travelled the world, but he remained deeply connected to his roots. Assam's rich oral traditions, folk melodies, and community storytelling practices shaped his early life. These experiences formed the bedrock of his artistic vocabulary.

At 5, he caught the attention of Lakshminath Bezbaruah, the pioneering figure of Assamese literature. By the time he was a teenager, he had recorded his first song. But music was only one part of his personality. Hazarika was curious, articulate and driven by an insatiable desire to understand the world. Legends like Jyoti Prasad Agarwala and Bishnu Prasad Rabha left a deep impression in him. It was this desire to learn that made him excel at Cotton College, Banaras Hindu University, and took him to the US, where he met Paul Robeson. Robeson's 1927 song 'Ol' Man River' about the struggles and hardships of African Americans and the endless flow of the Mississippi River became the inspiration for Hazarika's iconic composition, 'Bistirno Parore,' his tribute to the mighty Brahmaputra

Hazarika returned to India and immersed himself in music. From radio to theatre, feature films to documentaries, he practised his art. Wherever he went, he supported young talent. His works combined lyrical flair and social messages. Through his music, he gave voice to the aspirations of boatmen, tea garden workers, women, farmers, and the common man. He held up a powerful lens to modernity. A lot of people, especially from the socially backward classes like him, dervived strength and hope from his music.

The spirit of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat' found powerful expression in Hazarika's life journey. His music transcended linguistic and regional boundaries. He composed for films in Assamese, Bengali, and Hindi and made Assam audible to the rest of India. It's no exaggeration to say he helped shape the cultural identity of modern Assam, both for those within the state and the Assamese diaspora across the globe.

Though not a political person, Hazarika was connected to public service. In 1967, he was elected as an independent MLA from Nauboicha constituency, Assam. He was conferred the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, and Dadasaheb Phalke Award. In 2019, he was conferred the Bharat Ratna.

I remember the time Bhupen Da passed away in 2011. Lakhs attended his funeral. Even in death, he brought people together. It was fitting that he was cremated at the Jalukbari hillock overlooking the Brahmaputra, the very river that had been the lifeline of his music, metaphors and memories. Hazarika's life teaches us the power of empathy, of listening to people, and of staying rooted. His songs continue to be sung by young and old alike. His music teaches us to be compassionate and courageous. It asks us to remember our rivers, workers, women and youngsters.

As we celebrate the start of his centenary year, let us reiterate our commitment to spreading Hazarika's message far and wide.

It's only fitting that one of India's most significant infratructure projects, the bridge connecting Dhola and Sadiya, bears the name of Bhupen Hazarika - just as his songs connected hearts across regions, this bridge connects lands and people.

(The writer is Prime Minister of India)