Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday paid glowing tributes to music legend Bhupen Hazarika on his 99th birth anniversary, describing him as one of the most extraordinary voices India has ever known. In a post, the Prime Minister shared an article he authored on the Bharat Ratna awardee, noting that this year marks the beginning of Hazarika’s birth centenary celebrations. He said the occasion calls for revisiting the maestro’s monumental contributions to India’s cultural identity and public consciousness. “What Bhupen Da gave us extends far beyond music. His works embodied emotions that transcended melody.
More than just a voice, he was the heartbeat of the people. Generations have grown up listening to his songs, each word resonating with kindness, social justice, purity and deep-rooted belonging,” Modi wrote. He said Hazarika’s music flowed like a timeless river, crossing borders and cultures while carrying with it the spirit of humanity. Recalling his life and journey, Modi said Hazarika travelled the world and met some of the most influential personalities of his time, but always remained deeply rooted in Assam and its indigenous ethos.
An intellectual at heart, Hazarika excelled academically at Cotton College, Banaras Hindu University and later at Columbia University in the United States, where he interacted with leading thinkers and artists. It was during this time that he met Paul Robeson, whose iconic song Ol’ Man River inspired Hazarika’s evergreen composition Bistirna Parore. He was also honoured with a Gold Medal by former US First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt for his performances of Indian folk music.
