HT Bureau
DIPHU, Nov 5: The 14th death anniversary of Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika was observed in Karbi Anglong district on Wednesday, along with the rest of the state.
Chief Executive Member (CEM) of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) Tuliram Ronghang, KAAC Chairman Raju Tisso, Deputy Chairman Avijit Kro, and Karbi Anglong District Commissioner Nirola Phangchopi, ACS, paid floral tributes to the cultural icon at a commemorative event organised jointly by the District Administration and the Department of Cultural Affairs at the Karbi Anglong Sports Association (KASA) Stadium.
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As part of the programme, around 5,000 students from government schools under Diphu and Howraghat LACs, along with 2,500 members from cultural troupes representing various ethnic groups, participated in a mass rendition of Hazarika’s timeless song “Manuhe Manuhor Babe.”
Despite light rain, the participants stood in formation for nearly two hours.
The ceremony began at 11 am with the lighting of the inaugural lamp and floral tributes to Hazarika’s portrait, followed by the singing of the State song “O Mur Apunar Dex.” The gathering then joined in a medley of Hazarika’s popular songs, including “Axom Amar Rupohi, Buku Hum Hum Kore, Aami Asomiya Nohou Dukhiya, Ami Ekekhon Naore Jatri,” and “Moi Eti Jajabor.”
Addressing the gathering, CEM Tuliram Ronghang said, “Today, we gather at KASA Stadium to remember Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika, born on September 8, 1926, who passed away on November 5, 2011.
Under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, the state will celebrate the birth centenary of this great artist across Assam.”
He also expressed grief over the demise of singer Zubeen Garg, who passed away in Singapore on September 19.
“Two bright stars of Assam’s cultural world—Dr Bhupen Hazarika and Zubeen Garg—have left us. Their contributions to music and art will remain eternal,” Ronghang said.
The CEM highlighted Hazarika’s multifaceted genius as a singer, lyricist, composer, filmmaker, journalist, professor, and painter.
He recalled Hazarika’s connection with Diphu, noting that during the 49th session of the Assam Sahitya Sabha held there in 1982, Hazarika composed a song in honour of the town, which remains beloved to this day.
Ronghang further mentioned that Hazarika composed songs celebrating the diversity of various tribes, wrote the National Anthem of Arunachal Pradesh, and directed acclaimed films in Assamese, Bengali, and Hindi—winning a National Award for his music in the Hindi film “Aarop.”
Concluding his address, Ronghang urged the younger generation to follow the ideals and artistic vision of Dr Bhupen Hazarika, whose music continues to inspire harmony and brotherhood across communities.
A Baithalangso Correspondent adds: In West Karbi Anglong, the day was marked at Serdihun Aklam, Baithalangso, under the aegis of the Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Assam, in association with the West Karbi Anglong District Administration.
Member of Parliament for Diphu Lok Sabha constituency Amarsing Tisso, Howraghat MLA Darsing Ronghang, and West Karbi Anglong Deputy Commissioner Sarangpani Sharma were present at the commemorative event.
Students, teachers, and headmasters from various schools of the district also participated in the programme.
Speaking on the occasion, MP Amarsing Tisso said that to build a healthy and progressive society, the younger generation must move forward by upholding the ideals and values propagated by Dr Bhupen Hazarika.
Our Tezpur Correspondent adds: The historic Church Field in Tezpur resonated with the immortal song “Manuhe Manuhor Babe” as over 5,000 participants joined voices to pay homage to Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika on his 14th death anniversary.
The Sonitpur district administration organised a daylong tribute and memorial programme in remembrance of the cultural icon.
The formal ceremony began with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp before Dr. Hazarika’s portrait by Member of Parliament Ranjit Dutta and Deputy Commissioner Anand Kumar Das.
In his welcome address, DC Das expressed gratitude to all attendees for joining in honouring the legacy of the maestro.
Addressing the gathering, MP Dutta reflected on Dr Hazarika’s musical journey and philosophical vision, noting that his creative roots lay in Tezpur.
A collective musical presentation followed, featuring one hundred artistes from Tezpur and neighbouring areas performing some of Dr Hazarika’s most beloved compositions, filling the venue with a soulful atmosphere.
On the occasion, the district administration felicitated ten distinguished artistes of Sonitpur with a Cheleng and citation.
The awardees included veteran lyricist and Baan Theatre president Bankim Sarma; vocalists Kirti Bania and Sachidananda Bora; Sahitya Akademi awardee and translator Jnan Bahadur Chetri; and celebrated folk artistes Dinaram Boro, Girish Nath, Nowaz Topno, Gokul Saha, Bipul Mech, and Namita Brahma.
The programme, coordinated by Pankaj Barua, Working President of the Sonitpur Press Club, was attended by Tezpur MLA Prithiraj Rabha, Superintendent of Police Barun Purkayastha, Assam Housing Board Vice Chairman Subhash Dutta, District Development Commissioner Lakhinandan Saharia, and social worker Madhusmita Hazarika Deka, among others.
Meanwhile, the Tezpur Sahitya Sabha organised a floral tribute ceremony at its Bhawan, presided over by President Dhrubajyoti Das and conducted by Secretary Dr Pallab Bhattacharyya.
Former president Dr Bhupen Saikia, Ramesh Chandra Kalita, theatre personality Mrigen Chandra Bora, singer Sanjay Krishna Gohain Barua, and other noted cultural figures paid homage.
Dr Saikia and Dhrubajyoti Das also delivered speeches reflecting on Dr. Hazarika’s philosophy and artistic contributions.
Earlier in the day, under the initiative of Deepa Das, President of the Prahlad Chandra Das Memorial Dance Academy, a group dance performance based on Dr Hazarika’s songs was held.
At Trimurti Udyan, former Education Minister and Udyan Committee President Brindaban Goswami inaugurated a memorial event and felicitated veteran actress Bakul Das.
Sonitpur Zila Sahitya Sabha, in collaboration with the Napam Branch Sahitya Sabha, also observed the day with floral tributes and a commemorative lecture programme at Napam.
Speakers included Publicity Sub-Committee Executive President Mahendra Kumar Nath, Sonitpur Zila Sahitya Sabha President Dr. Sukdev Adhikari, former Asam Sahitya Sabha Principal Secretary Jadab Chandra Sarma, and noted citizen Siraj Khan.
Later in the evening, the historic Baan Theatre hosted the inauguration of the All-Assam Group Bhupendra Sangeet Competition, featuring around twenty teams from across the state. Various cultural organisations, including Jyoti Bharati, Tarun Asom Sangha, Asomiya Club, All Assam Lekhika Samaroh Samiti (Tezpur Branch), and Srimanta Sankardeva Temple, Majgaon, also organised remembrance programmes to mark the day.
Our Nagaon Correspondent adds: The historic Nehrubali field in Nagaon came alive on Wednesday as over 5,000 students and locals gathered to pay tribute to the legendary singer and Bharat Ratna, Dr Bhupen Hazarika, on his 14th death anniversary.
The event was organised by the Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Assam, in collaboration with the Nagaon District Administration.
The programme began with the rendition of the Assamese national anthem, followed by the lighting of ceremonial lamps and floral tributes to Dr Hazarika.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Keshab Mahanta graced the occasion as the chief guest.
In his address, he lauded Dr Hazarika’s immense contributions to Assamese culture and music, which, he said, continue to inspire generations.
A major highlight of the programme was when more than 5,000 students and attendees joined hands to form a human chain and sing Dr Hazarika’s iconic song “Manuhe Manuhor Babe” (Humanity for Humanity).
The song, which advocates universal brotherhood and compassion, has been recognised as a song of national importance by the chief minister of Assam, who has also appealed to the United Nations to adopt it as an anthem for humanity.
During the event, local artists Ratimohan Nath and Ranjan Bezbaruah were felicitated for their contributions to the field of music.
Other performers also paid tribute through soulful renditions of Dr Hazarika’s timeless compositions.
In his speech, District Commissioner Debashish Sarma urged the younger generation to preserve and promote Dr. Hazarika’s artistic and humanitarian legacy.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks, followed by the singing of the Assamese national anthem. Among the dignitaries present were MLAs Rupak Sarma, Diplu Ranjan Sarma, and Sashi Kanta Das, Nagaon Zila Parishad president Gitanjali Hazarika, and senior district officials, an official press note stated.
Our Sivasagar Correspondent adds: Undeterred by intermittent rain, thousands of people in Sivasagar gathered at the historic Boarding Field today to sing “Manuhe Manuhor Babe,” the immortal song of the Bard of the Brahmaputra, Dr Bhupen Hazarika, on his 14th death anniversary.
Transport and Lok Nirman Minister Jogen Mohan attended the event as the chief guest.
Among others present were Demow MLA Sushanta Borgohain, former Thowra MLA Kushal Duwori, Sivasagar Deputy Commissioner Ayush Garg, Superintendent of Police Subhas Baruah, DDC Samiran Bora, and BJP District President Bitopan Raidongia.
The programme began with a welcome address by DC Ayush Garg, followed by a speech from minister Jogen Mohan, who reaffirmed the government’s commitment to preserving and promoting the legacy of the legendary singer.
Local artistes from Sivasagar opened the event with a medley of Dr Hazarika’s songs, followed by the mass rendition of “Manuhe Manuhor Babe.”
In another function held near Dr Bhupen Hazarika’s statue at Doulmukh Chariali, organised by Dekhowporia Sanmilita Yuva Sangha in association with the Sivasagar Press Club, cultural workers and media fraternity members paid floral tributes to the legendary singer, composer, journalist, and filmmaker.
The ceremonial lamp was lit by Dr Sabyasachi Mahanta and Zehiruddin Khan.
Artistes Hema Saikia, Rajkumari Falguni, and several young talents performed some of Dr Hazarika’s immortal songs, making the occasion a heartfelt tribute to Assam’s cultural icon.
Our Margherita Correspondent adds: The 14th death anniversary of Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhupen Hazarika was observed with solemn reverence and cultural fervour at Uttar Margherita Rangamancha, organised by the Margherita Co-District Administration in collaboration with the Department of Cultural Affairs.
The programme began with floral tributes, followed by a welcome address by Co-District Commissioner Rahul Doley, who described Dr Hazarika as a visionary who preached compassion, brotherhood, and justice through his art.
A chorus of “Manuhe Manuhor Babe” was performed by 500 students from 12 educational institutions. During the event, local artist Mahendra Das created a live portrait of the maestro.
Margherita MLA Bhaskar Sharma, present as Guest of Honour, said Dr Hazarika’s creations continue to inspire unity and cultural pride.
Cultural associate Prabin Rajkhowa also recalled Dr Hazarika’s global influence as Assam’s cultural ambassador.
The event was attended by government officials, academicians, media persons, and local residents.
Meanwhile, Sudhakantha Smriti Suraksha Samity observed the day before DrHazarika’s statue at Jaya Nagar, where MLA Bhaskar Sharma, Dr Shankar Patowary, Dr Pabitra Bharali, Dr Ranjit Dutta, Barun Borah, Rana Jyoti Neog, and Dr Kripa Prasad Upadhyay paid homage.
A souvenir titled “Jeevan Sandhu,” edited by Pabitra Borgohain, was unveiled on the occasion.
The observance reflected the people’s enduring reverence for Dr Bhupen Hazarika, whose songs continue to inspire harmony and humanity across generations.
Our Hojai Correspondent adds: The 14th death anniversary of Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhupen Hazarika was observed with grandeur at Kachari Maidan, Srimanta Sankardev Nagar, where thousands from all walks of life gathered to pay tribute to the legendary artist by singing his immortal song “Manuhe Manuhor Babe.”
The event, organised by the Hojai District Administration, saw the presence of Kaziranga MP Kamakhya Prasad Tasa as chief guest, along with Hojai MLA Ramakrishna Ghosh, Lumding MLA Shibu Mishra, and District Commissioner Bidyut Bikash Bhagwati.
The programme began with a tree-planting drive, followed by the lighting of lamps and floral tributes before Dr Hazarika’s portrait.
In his inaugural address, DC Bhagwati lauded the late artist’s ideals, versatility, and lasting contributions to society.
MP Tasa and the MLAs highlighted the timeless relevance of Dr Hazarika’s music, stating that his message of humanity and compassion continues to unite people beyond religion and boundaries.
The highlight of the day was a mass rendition of “Manuhe Manuhor Babe” by over 5,000 participants, symbolising unity and reverence for the music maestro. Students, teachers, government officials, members of various organisations, political representatives, and local residents attended the event, which concluded with DC Bhagwati expressing gratitude for the people’s enthusiastic participation.
