Nowadays, eighth September, is an overly special occasion for all those that are hooked in to Indian tradition and song. It’s in particular extra particular for my sisters and brothers of Assam. In any case, it’s the beginning anniversary of Bhupen Hazarika, some of the unusual voices India has ever recognized. As you might be all mindful, this 12 months marks the start of his beginning centenary celebrations. It’s an instance to revisit his enormous contributions to Indian inventive expression and public awareness.What Bhupen Da gave us extends a ways past song. His works embodied feelings that transcended melody. Greater than only a voice, he was once the heart beat of the folks. Generations have grown up paying attention to his songs, every phrase resonating with topics of kindness, social justice, cohesion and deep-rooted belonging.From Assam emerged a voice that flowed like a undying river, crossing borders and cultures, wearing with it the spirit of humanity. Bhupen Da travelled the globe, rubbed shoulders with the who is who throughout all spectrums of society, however he remained deeply attached to his roots in Assam. The wealthy oral traditions, folks melodies and neighborhood storytelling practices of Assam deeply formed his early formative years. Those reports shaped the bedrock of his inventive vocabulary. He all the time carried the spirit of Assam’s indigenous identification and the ethos of its folks.Brilliance got here to Bhupen Da at an overly younger age. On the age of simply 5, he sang at a public match and temporarily stuck the eye of none rather then Lakshminath Bezbaruah, the pioneering determine of Assamese literature. By the point he was once an adolescent, he had recorded his first tune. However song was once just one a part of his persona. Bhupen Da was once as a lot an highbrow at middle… curious, articulate and pushed through an insatiable need to grasp the sector. Cultural legends like Jyoti Prasad Agarwala and Bishnu Prasad Rabha left a deep affect on his thoughts and likewise deepened his spirit of enquiry. It was once additionally this need to be informed that made him excel at Cotton Faculty, Banaras Hindu College and took him to the US, the place he interacted with main lecturers, thinkers and musicians of the ones instances. He met Paul Robeson, the mythical artist and civil rights chief. Robeson’s tune “Ol’ Guy River” changed into the foundation for Bhupen Da’s iconic composition ‘Bistirno Parore.’ The much-admired former American First Woman Eleanor Roosevelt awarded him a Gold Medal for his performances of Indian folks song.Bhupen Da had the choice of final in the United States, however he returned to India and immersed himself in song. From radio to theatre, motion pictures to tutorial documentaries, he was once well-versed in every of those media. Anyplace he went, he emphasized supporting younger ability. His works mixed lyrical aptitude and likewise gave social messages, touching upon justice for the deficient, rural construction, energy of commonplace electorate, to call a couple of. Thru his song, he gave voice to the aspirations of boatmen, tea lawn employees, girls, farmers, and so on. Along with being nostalgic, Bhupen Da’s works additionally changed into an impressive lens to view modernity. A large number of folks, particularly from the socially backward categories like him, derived energy and hope from his song.The spirit of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’ discovered robust expression in Bhupen Hazarika’s lifestyles adventure. His works transcended linguistic and regional limitations to unite folks around the nation. He composed for motion pictures in Assamese, Bengali and Hindi. He made Assam visual and audible to the remainder of India. It’s no exaggeration to mention that he contributed to shaping the cultural identification of recent Assam, each for the ones inside the state and for the Assamese diaspora around the globe.Bhupen Da, even though no longer in reality a political individual, did stay attached to the sector of public provider as properly. In 1967, he was once elected as an impartial MLA from Nauboicha constituency in Assam, demonstrating how deeply his public character was once rooted within the folks’s accept as true with. Despite the fact that he by no means changed into a profession flesh presser, his interest for serving others was once extremely impactful.The folks and Executive of India have recognised his huge contributions through the years. He was once conferred with a number of awards, together with the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, Dadasaheb Phalke Award and extra. In 2019, it was once an honour for me for my part and for the NDA executive that the Bharat Ratna was once conferred upon him throughout our tenure. Folks from the world over, particularly the ones from Assam and the Northeast, expressed pleasure that this honour was once conferred upon him. This honour celebrated the foundations that Bhupen Da held expensive to his middle – that song, when grounded in fact, can go beyond all obstacles. {That a} tune can elevate the load of a folks’s desires and transfer hearts the world over.I take into account the time Bhupen Da kicked the bucket in 2011. I had noticed on tv how lakhs of folks attended his funeral. Each and every eye was once wet that point. Even in demise, like in his illustrious lifestyles, he introduced folks in combination. It was once thus becoming that he was once cremated on the Jalukbari hillock overlooking the Brahmaputra, the very river that were the lifeline of his song, metaphors and recollections. It’s gladdening that the Assam Executive has supported the paintings of the Bhupen Hazarika Cultural Believe, which is operating to popularise his lifestyles adventure amongst kids.Bhupen Hazarika’s lifestyles teaches us the ability of empathy, of paying attention to folks and of staying rooted. His songs proceed to be sung through old and young alike. His song teaches us to be compassionate and brave. It asks us to keep in mind our rivers, our labourers, our tea employees, our Nari Shakti and our Yuva Shakti. It encourages us to imagine in cohesion in range.Bharat is blessed to have Bhupen Hazarika. As we have a good time the start of his centenary 12 months, allow us to reiterate our dedication to spreading his message all over the place. Would possibly it additionally encourage us to stay operating to toughen song, artwork and tradition, to inspire younger ability and make India a nurturing floor for creativity and creative excellence.It’s only becoming that certainly one of India’s most important infrastructure initiatives, the bridge connecting Dhola and Sadiya, bears the title of Bhupen Hazarika. Simply as his songs attached hearts throughout areas, this bridge connects lands and folks.The creator is the High Minister of India