Writing a piece on Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, widely addressed as Bhupen-da by billions of his fans and well-wishers around the music world, appears to be a difficult job.
A genius of our time, who shaped the Assamese music and film industry for decades, Bhupen-da is known for his creations, performances, and visibility whenever there was a crisis in our society. A divine singer and an outstanding orator who nurtured poems while addressing the audience, Bhupen-da astonished music lovers across Eastern India, Bangladesh, and Nepal with his crisp voice, enlightened lyrics, and sweet interactions with the common people. A recent release, a book entitled Bhupen-da Ka Surila Safar (Melodious Journey of Bhupen-da), can be referred to as describing the legendary cultural personality to the readers of Hindi literature.
Penned by Guwahati-based journalist, Azhar Alam, the 184-page book (priced at Rs 300), published by Assam Rashtrabhasha Prachar Samiti, was launched by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal a few months ago. Sonowal termed the Bharat Ratna awardee as one of India’s most influential cultural figures. Brought to the public in the midst of Bhupen-da’s year-long birth centenary celebrations (which began on 8 September 2025), the book is understood to serve as a colossal bridge, introducing the rich cultural heritage of Assam and other north-eastern states to Hindi-speaking people residing in central and northern India.
Nobody can deny that Bhupen-da had a larger-than-life image with his creations as a poet, lyricist, singer, music composer, author, journalist, and filmmaker. The self-proclaimed Jajabor (wanderer) remains the most exposed, discussed, and reported personality in Assam. The bard of Brahmaputra is equally popular in mainland India, and also in Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan. The Indian government had conferred him Padam Shree, Padma Bhushan, and later the coveted Bharat Ratna. The pioneering filmmaker was also honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the first and only one from the north-eastern region to receive the prestigious award to date. Bhupen-da becomes the first personality from Assam to be honored with the issuance of a non-circulating commemorative Rs 100 coin (created solely for preservation as a heritage item), which was officially released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with a book on his life.
Born on 8 September 1926 at Sadiya in eastern Assam to Nilakanta Hazarika and Shantipriya Hazarika’s family, Bhupen-da had preliminary education in various parts of the State. After completing matriculation at Tezpur in 1940, he came to Guwahati for his IA course at Cotton College. Later, he went to Banaras Hindu University and completed a BA and an MA in Political Science. Bhupen-da went to the USA to complete his PhD in mass communication from Columbia University in New York. He then returned to Assam and also worked as a professor in Gauhati University for some time.
Forwarded by award-winning Assamese film critic Utpal Barpujari, the book also features several photographs of Bhupen-da’s personal and social life as well as stills from movies where Bhupen-da used to work. The writer also documented some of the lyrics he wrote, with Hindi translation for the benefit of readers. Azhar thus panned the enormous struggles faced by Bhupen-da, where he was a real-life warrior. With his death, Assam wept for a week, with newspapers and news channels reporting on Bhupen-da and his immortal creations for the entire period. A rare gesture was shown by the people of Assam, when he was cremated in Jalukbari amidst thousands of attendants and billions sobbing around the world. Azhar deserves appreciation for his tedious job of writing about a personality who is emerging as an ultimate identity for Assam and Asomiya people.