Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (September 8, 2025) paid rich tributes to music maestro and Bharat Ratna awardee Bhupen Hazarika on his 99th birth anniversary. Marking the beginning of his birth centenary celebrations, the Prime Minister described him as one of the most extraordinary voices India has ever known.
In a heartfelt article shared on social media, Mr. Modi wrote that Bhupen Hazarika’s contributions went far beyond music. “What Bhupen Da gave us extends far beyond melody. He was the heartbeat of the people, and generations have grown up listening to his songs that spoke of kindness, social justice, unity, and belonging. His music flowed like a timeless river, crossing borders and cultures, carrying with it the spirit of humanity,” he said.
The Prime Minister noted that while Hazarika travelled the world and engaged with eminent personalities across disciplines, he remained deeply rooted in Assam’s indigenous identity and culture. He highlighted that Hazarika’s intellectual curiosity took him from Cotton College to Banaras Hindu University and then to the United States, where he interacted with leading global thinkers, academics, and musicians.
Recalling his meeting with American civil rights leader Paul Robeson, Mr. Modi said that Robeson’s iconic song Ol’ Man River inspired Hazarika’s celebrated Assamese composition Bistirno Parore. He also mentioned that former U.S. First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt had awarded Hazarika a Gold Medal for his performances of Indian folk music.
Mr. Modi observed that though Hazarika had the option of staying back in the U.S., he returned to India and immersed himself in music and cultural pursuits. From radio and theatre to films and documentaries, Hazarika worked across diverse mediums while mentoring young talent. His lyrical works often carried strong social messages, highlighting justice for the poor, rural development, and the power of ordinary citizens.
Calling him a unifier, the Prime Minister said that the spirit of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat was reflected in Hazarika’s life and works, which transcended linguistic and regional boundaries. “He composed for films in Assamese, Bengali, and Hindi, making Assam visible and audible to the rest of India. It is no exaggeration to say that he helped shape the cultural identity of modern Assam,” he remarked.
Remembering his brief political career, Mr. Modi pointed out that Hazarika was elected as an independent MLA from Nauboicha constituency in 1967, though he never pursued politics as a career. His passion for serving people, however, remained deeply impactful.
The Prime Minister further highlighted the recognition that Hazarika received through numerous national honours, including the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. “In 2019, it was a matter of personal honour that our government conferred upon him the Bharat Ratna. People across India, especially from Assam and the Northeast, celebrated this recognition of his unmatched legacy,” Mr. Modi said.
He concluded by saying that the Bharat Ratna for Bhupen Hazarika symbolised the very principles the artist cherished – that music, when grounded in truth, has the power to transcend all barriers.
