Who was Bhupen Hazarika? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Indian Celebrities Born In September

Also Known As: Da Bhupen, Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, Hazarika, Bhupen

Died At Age: 85

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Priyam Hazarika

father: Nilakanta Hazarika

mother: Shantipriya Hazarika

siblings: Jayanta Hazarika

children: Tej Hazarika

Musicians Indian Men

Died on: November 5, 2011

place of death: Mumbai

More Facts

education: Banaras Hindu University, Columbia University, Cotton College, Guwahati

awards: Padma Vibhushan (2012) [Posthumously]
Padma Shri (1977)
Dadasaheb Phalke Award (1992)

Padma Bhushan (2001)
Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship (2008)
Asom Ratna (2009)
Muktijoddha Padak (2011) [posthumously]
Bharat Ratna (2019)

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1

What is Bhupen Hazarika famous for?

Bhupen Hazarika was a renowned Indian singer, composer, lyricist, and filmmaker known for his contributions to Assamese and Indian music.
2

Which Indian state does Bhupen Hazarika belong to?

Bhupen Hazarika hailed from the state of Assam in India.
3

What is the significance of Bhupen Hazarika's music in Indian culture?

Bhupen Hazarika's music is celebrated for its powerful social and political messages, reflecting the cultural ethos of Assam and broader Indian society.
4

How did Bhupen Hazarika contribute to the Indian film industry?

Bhupen Hazarika composed music for numerous Indian films, infusing them with his unique blend of folk and contemporary musical styles.
5

What impact did Bhupen Hazarika have on the Assamese language and culture?

Bhupen Hazarika played a pivotal role in promoting the Assamese language and culture through his music, which resonated with audiences across India and beyond.

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Childhood & Early Life

Bhupen Hazarika was born on September 8, 1926 in Sadiya, Assam, British India, to Nilakanta Hazarika and Shantipriya Hazarika. He was the eldest of their ten children.

During his childhood, his family shifted several times before settling in Tezpur where his musical talent was spotted by Jyotiprasad Agarwala, the noted Assamese lyricist, and Bishnu Prasad Rabha, a renowned Assamese artist.

In 1936, he traveled with his mentors to Kolkata where he recorded his first song at the Aurora Studio for the Selona Company. In 1939, he sang two songs in the film ‘Indramalati’. He wrote his first song, ‘Agnijugor Firingoti Moi’, at the age of 13.

He received his early education from Sonaram High School in Guwahati, Dhubri Government High School in Dhubri, Tezpur High School and the Cotton College. Later, he attended Banaras Hindu University where he completed his graduation and post-graduation, obtaining his BA (1944) and MA (1946) in Political Science.

In 1949, he got enrolled at the Columbia University, New York, on a scholarship and earned his doctoral degree in 1952 on his thesis "Proposals for Preparing India's Basic Education to use Audio-Visual Techniques in Adult Education".

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Career

While at Columbia University, Bhupen Hazarika was influenced by Paul Robeson, a civil rights activist and composed his song ‘Bistirno parore’, based on the imagery and theme of Robeson's ‘Ol' Man River’. He also composed some other songs in Indian languages.

In 1955, he served as the Secretary of the Reception Committee of the Third All Assam Conference of IPTA. He also served as a teacher at the Gauhati University but left the job after few years and shifted to Kolkata.

Later, he became a director and made award winning Assamese films such as ‘Shakuntala Sur’ (1961) and ‘Pratidhwani’ (1964). Some of his other directorial ventures include ‘Lati-Ghati’ (1966), ‘Chik Mik Bijuli’ (1969), ‘For Whom the Sun Shines’ (1974) and ‘Mera Dharam Meri Maa’ (1976).

He also worked as a composer creating timeless music for many Assamese films and Bangla movies such as ‘Aarop’ (1973), ‘Chameli Memsaab’ (1975) and ‘Shimana Perye’ (1977).

He was also a prominent Assamese and Hindi playback singer and lent his mesmerizing voice to movies such as ‘Era Bator Sur’ (1956), ‘Shakuntala Sur’ (1961), ‘Titash Ekti Nadir Naam’ (1973) and ‘Rudaali’ (1993).

Some of his more recent works as a composer and singer in films include ‘Darmiyaan: In Between’ (1997), ‘Gaja Gamini’ (2000) and ‘Daman: A Victim of Marital Violence’ (2001). His last film as a playback singer was ‘Gandhi to Hitler’ (2011).

Major Works

Bhupen Hazarika composed some of the most famous Assamese songs including ‘Bistirno Parore’, ‘Moi Eti Jajabor’, ‘Ganga Mor Maa’, ‘Bimurto Mur Nixati Jen’, ‘Manuhe Manuhor Babey’ and ‘Buku Hom Hom Kore’.

One of his major contributions to Hindi cinema was being the music director of outstanding films such as 'Arop', 'Ek Pal', and 'Rudaali'. He also won the ‘Best Music Director National Award’ for ‘Rudaali’ in 1993.

Awards & Achievements

In 1977, Bhupen Hazarika was awarded Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award in the Republic of India.

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In 1979, he won the Arunachal Pradesh Government's Gold Medal for his outstanding contribution towards Tribal Welfare and Upliftment of Tribal Culture through cinema.

In 1987, he was honored with the ‘Sangeet Natak Akademi Award’, the highest Indian recognition given to practicing artists.

In 1992, he received the prestigious ‘Dadasaheb Phalke Award’, India's highest award in cinema, by the Government of India.

In 2001, he was conferred the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian honor in the Republic of India.

In 2009, he received the Asom Ratna, the highest civilian award in the State of Assam.

In 2012, he was posthumously awarded the Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian award in the Republic of India.

On January 25, 2019, he was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award.

Family, Personal Life & Legacy

While studying at Columbia University in New York, he met Priyamvada Patel and they later got married in 1950. They were blessed with a son, Tej Hazarika, in 1952.

Bhupen Hazarika died on November 5, 2011, of multi-organ failure, in Mumbai, India. His body was cremated near the Brahmaputra River in a plot of land donated by Gauhati University.

Facts About Bhupen Hazarika

Bhupen Hazarika was not only a renowned musician and composer, but he was also a talented poet and filmmaker, showcasing his diverse range of artistic talents.

He was known for his deep connection to his roots in the northeastern region of India, often incorporating elements of Assamese culture and traditions into his music and films.

In addition to his prolific career in the entertainment industry, Bhupen Hazarika was also a respected academic, earning a PhD in Mass Communication from Columbia University in the United States.

Hazarika was a strong advocate for social justice and political activism, using his platform to raise awareness about issues such as poverty, inequality, and human rights.

Despite his fame and success, Bhupen Hazarika remained humble and grounded, always acknowledging the importance of his fans and supporters in his journey as an artist.

Bhupen Hazarika Biography

You wanted to know

What is Bhupen Hazarika famous for?

Which Indian state does Bhupen Hazarika belong to?

What is the significance of Bhupen Hazarika's music in Indian culture?

How did Bhupen Hazarika contribute to the Indian film industry?

What impact did Bhupen Hazarika have on the Assamese language and culture?