Google recently paid tribute to Assamese playback singer Dr Bhupen Hazarika with a doodle on his 96th birth anniversary.
About
Bhupen Hazarika:
He was born in Assam’s Tinsukia district on September 8, 1926 and died at 85 in Mumbai.
He was also a poet, music composer, actor, journalist, author and film-maker.
He is also remembered as the ‘Bard of Brahmaputra’.
Hazarika was also one of northeast India’s leading socio-cultural reformers, whose creations and compositions are known to have united people from all walks of life.
Hazarika, while studying at Columbia University, was greatly influenced by Paul Robeson who was a civil rights activist, following which he composed the famous songs ‘Bistirno Parore’ and ‘Ganga Behti Ho Kyun’ based on the imagery and theme of Robeson’s ‘Ol Man River’.
His songs narrated people’s stories about happiness and grief, of unity and courage, romance and loneliness, and even strife and determination.
He even served as chairman and director of numerous boards and associations, including India’s National Film Development Corporation.
Hazarika made several award-winning films like ‘Shakuntala Sur’ and ‘Pratidhwani’.
In 1993, he won the ‘Best Music Director National Award’ for Rudaali, which features the famous song ‘Dil Hoom Hoom Kare’.
Awards won:
The legendary artist won several prestigious awards like the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan, for his outstanding contribution to music and culture.
He was honoured posthumously with the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, in