Hazarika, a Dada Saheb Phalke Award winner was the only living balladeer in the country, composing his own lyrics and music. Some of his songs like “Dil hoom hoom Karen”, “O Ganga Behti Ho” and Gandhi’s favourite bhajan “Vaishnav Jan To” in the film Gandhi to Hitler were remarkably composed.
Bhupen Hazarika, is also a great poet, journalist, lyricist, filmmaker and writer. Popularly known as “Bard of Brahmaputra, he had the remarable ability to weave magic out of traditional Assamese music. His songs swayed and inspired millions across generations with the power and passion of his voice.
Born-September 8, 1926
Sadiya, Assam, Indian Empire
Died-November 5, 2011 (aged 85)
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India[1]
Occupation-musician, singer, poet, filmmaker and lyricist
Years active-1939-2011
Partner-Kalpana Lajmi
Born in 1926 in Sadiya into a family of teachers, the academically-talented Hazarika completed his basic education from Guwahati in 1942, BA from Banaras Hindu University in 1944 and MA (Pol Sc) in 1946. He did his PhD in Mass Communication from Columbia University. He also received the Lisle Fellowship from Chicago University, US to study the use of educational project development through cinema.During his stay in the US, he met the legendary black singer Paul Robeson, whose famous number Old man river was successfully transformed to the megahit Bistirno parore (O Ganga behti ho in Hindi), a virtual anthem for generations of pro-Left activists.
He produced and directed, composed music and sang for Assamese films like Era Batar Sur, Shakuntala, Loti ghoti, Pratidhwani, Chick Mick Bijuli, Swikarokti and Siraj. His most famous Hindi films include his long-time companion Kalpana Lajmi's Rudaali, Ek Pal, Darmiyaan, Daman and Kyon, Sai Paranjpe's Papiha and Saaz, Mil Gayee Manzil Mujhe and MF Husain's Gajagamini.
He came to Mumbai to work in the Indian People's Theatre Movement (IPTA) with Salil Chowdhury, Balraj Sahni and other Marxist intellectuals.
He received the National Award for Best Music Director in 1976 for Chameli Memsaab and President's medal for his films Shakuntala (1960), Pratidhwani (1964) and Lotighoti (1967). He was a member of the Assam Legislative Assembly from 1967-72 and was awarded the Padmashri in 1977 and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1987. He was the chairman of the Sangeet Natak Akademi from 1999-2004.
He was also a member of Assam Film Development Council and the Central Board of Film Certification. In 2003, he was appointed member of the Prasar Bharati Board.