Wednesday marked the 14th death anniversary of the legendary Assamese singer and composer, Bhupen On this day, celebrated amid his centenary year, singer-composer Papon took a moment to honour the iconic musician.
Papon, a popular singer and composer himself, shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram. Accompanying a picture of Hazarika, he wrote: “Remembering the enchanting voice of Assam, Dr. Bhupen Hazarika on his 14th death anniversary. As we celebrate his centenary year, his music echoes in our hearts … and may it continue to inspire generations to come.”
Papon remembers Bhupen Hazarika:
Bhupen Hazarika’s contributions to Indian music were enormous. Over his lifetime, he received some of the country’s most prestigious awards, including the National Film Award for Best Music Direction in 1975, the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Padma Shri, and Padma Bhushan.
Also Read: Assam to honour Bhupen Hazarika with statewide tribute on 14th death anniversary
He also received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship. He was posthumously awarded the Padma Vibhushan and the Bharat Ratna in 2019.
Hazarika’s songs often spoke of communal harmony, empathy, and brotherhood making him a beloved figure not just in Assam but across West Bengal, Bangladesh and the rest of India. Many of his songs translated into other languages including Bengali and Hindi, helping bring the folk music and culture of Northeast India to the national stage.
Papon, who hails from Assam himself, has often cited Bhupen Hazarika as a major inspiration. Papon began his musical journey in 1998 with the Assamese song “Nasaba Sokule” from the album Snigdha Junak. In 2004, he released his first album Junaki Raati. This helped him gain recognition in the regional music scene.