Tributes to Bhupen Hazarika, one of India’s finest film musicians, on his 12th death anniversary (05/11/11).

Tributes to Bhupen Hazarika, one of India’s finest film musicians, on his 12th death anniversary (05/11/11). Bhupen Hazarika was a renowned Indian artist from Assam who wore many hats. He was a singer known for his rich baritone voice, a lyricist who wrote meaningful songs, a musician, poet, actor, editor, filmmaker, professor, and even a politician. His songs, mostly in Assamese, are loved for their themes of humanity and brotherhood and have been sung in various languages, including Bengali and Hindi. In West Bengal, Assam, and Bangladesh, his music is celebrated for promoting unity, justice, and empathy. Hazarika brought Assam and Northeast India’s culture and folk music to the broader Indian audience, significantly influencing Hindi cinema. He won many prestigious awards, including the National Film Award for Best Music Direction, the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and after his death, the Padma Vibhushan and Bharat Ratna. He was also Chairman of the Sangeet Natak Akademi. His work included adaptations of American Black Spirituals learned from his friend Paul Robeson. His song “Manush Manusher Jonno” is highly regarded in Bangladesh, and his “Bistirno Parore” reflects influences from Robeson’s “Ol’ Man River.” A documentary film about his life, “Moi Eti Zazabor” (‘I am a Wanderer’), was started in 1986 by directors Waesqurni Bora and Arnab Jan Deka, featuring music by Jim Ankan Deka. Despite production delays, work on the film continues, aiming for release in multiple languages. Two books by co-director Arnab Jan Deka document the film’s journey, with one released at an event organized by Hazarika himself.