IIT-Guwahati observes 13th death anniversary of Dr Bhupen Hazarika

The IIT Guwahati event also featured an interactive session with Stuti Patel Hazarika, Dr Hazarika's sister, who shared personal insights into his life and legacy.

3 min readNew DelhiUpdated: Nov 7, 2024 09:41 AM IST

Stuti Patel Hazarika paying homage to her brother, Dr. Bhupen Hazarika at IIT Guwahati

The Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati) honoured the life and legacy of Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika on the thirteenth death anniversary. The event was organised by Team Bohagor Duwardolit, the institute’s Assamese students’ community. The programme celebrated Dr Hazarika’s profound contributions to music, literature, and the cultural heritage of Assam and India.

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The IIT Guwahati event started with a floral tribute in Dr Hazarika’s memory, followed by an address from Prof. Devendra Jalihal, Director, IIT Guwahati.

He emphasised Dr Hazarika’s lasting influence on Assamese culture and India’s social conscience, saying, “We are privileged to honor Dr Bhupen Hazarika not only as a musician but as a visionary who dedicated his life to social change through art. His message of diversity, empathy, and shared humanity continues to resonate with us all. Today, I am deeply honored to stand here in an auditorium named after him, celebrating his legacy. We are privileged to have his sister, Stuti Patel Hazarika, with us today to share her memories and insight, which bring us even closer to understanding the remarkable artist and visionary he was.”

Known as the ‘Bard of the Brahmaputra’, Dr Hazarika’s work transcended cultural and geographical boundaries, capturing themes of social justice, unity, and human compassion. Dr Hazarika was born in Sadiya, Assam, in 1926. He embarked on his musical journey at a young age and returned to Assam after completing his education in the United States to use his talent as a catalyst for social change. His compositions spoke to the issues of communal harmony, rural life, and the empowerment of marginalised communities.

Attended by over 200 participants from the IIT Guwahati community, a highlight of the programme was an interactive session with Dr Hazarika’s sister, who shared heartfelt insights into her brother’s life, his motivations, and the impact of his work on Assamese society and beyond.

Dr Hazarika’s music, rich with Assamese folk traditions and universal themes, left a lasting legacy. Iconic songs such as Bistirno Parore, Manuhe Manuhor Babe, and Ganga Behti Ho Kyun reflect his philosophy of inclusivity and humanity. His posthumous Bharat Ratna in 2019 recognised his invaluable contributions to India’s artistic and social landscape, inspiring generations to use art as a means of fostering unity and compassion.

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