![Bhupen Hazarika](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BMjUwYTBhMGQtYTY4ZS00ZTI0LThmMzItMTRjYTk0YjE1YjBiXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTQ3Mzk2MDg4._V1_QL75_UY207_CR11,0,140,207_.jpg)
![Bhupen Hazarika](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BMjUwYTBhMGQtYTY4ZS00ZTI0LThmMzItMTRjYTk0YjE1YjBiXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTQ3Mzk2MDg4._V1_QL75_UY207_CR11,0,140,207_.jpg)
It’s quite an irony that obituary reports in the media largely have been identifying Dr. Bhupen Hazarika as the “music maestro” and the “legendary balladeer”. He was, of course, both of these, but the kind of impact this genius has had in the socio-cultural-political space of a huge geographic region comprising the North-East India, West Bengal and Bangladesh would be hard to grasp for anyone who does not understand the Assamese and Bengali languages.
For the rest of India, Dr. Hazarika (the “Dr.” is not one of those bestowed upon cinema, cultural and political personalities by universities whose administrators are usually keen to rub shoulders with the recipients, but one had earned by completing a Ph.D from Columbia University in the early 1950s on how cultural tools can be used to spread the reach of education) is known for his fabulous music in Kalpana Lajmi’s “Rudali”, particularly...
For the rest of India, Dr. Hazarika (the “Dr.” is not one of those bestowed upon cinema, cultural and political personalities by universities whose administrators are usually keen to rub shoulders with the recipients, but one had earned by completing a Ph.D from Columbia University in the early 1950s on how cultural tools can be used to spread the reach of education) is known for his fabulous music in Kalpana Lajmi’s “Rudali”, particularly...
- 11/8/2011
- by Utpal Borpujari
- DearCinema.com
Inspirational Indian singer, lyricist and political activist
One of the most important cultural figures of north-east India, Bhupen Hazarika, who has died aged 85, used music, cinema and the written word to stitch political ideology and ancient traditions into the fabric of popular culture. His distinguished career as a film-maker, singer, lyricist and political activist spanned 70 years. He won many major awards in India and leaves an impressive body of work that includes more than 1,500 songs.
The eldest of 10 children, Hazarika was born in the village of Sadiya, Assam. He said his musical talent came from his mother, Shantipriya: "Although listening to the rhythms of tribal music growing up developed my love for singing, I inherited my voice from my mother, who regularly sang lullabies to me as a child." His father, Nilakanta, a teacher, instilled in him from a young age the importance of education. By the time he was...
One of the most important cultural figures of north-east India, Bhupen Hazarika, who has died aged 85, used music, cinema and the written word to stitch political ideology and ancient traditions into the fabric of popular culture. His distinguished career as a film-maker, singer, lyricist and political activist spanned 70 years. He won many major awards in India and leaves an impressive body of work that includes more than 1,500 songs.
The eldest of 10 children, Hazarika was born in the village of Sadiya, Assam. He said his musical talent came from his mother, Shantipriya: "Although listening to the rhythms of tribal music growing up developed my love for singing, I inherited my voice from my mother, who regularly sang lullabies to me as a child." His father, Nilakanta, a teacher, instilled in him from a young age the importance of education. By the time he was...
- 11/7/2011
- by Asjad Nazir
- The Guardian - Film News
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