Google on Thursday paid a tribute to the Indian singer and composer Bhupen Hazarika on his 96th birth anniversary. He was an acclaimed poet, singer, composer and filmmaker and was one of the pioneers of socio-cultural reforms in northeast India. Google Doodle celebrated his 96th birth anniversary with a special graphic.
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The Google Doodle on Bhupen Hazarika has been illustrated by Mumbai-based artist Rutuja Mali. The graphic features Bhupen Hazarika playing the harmonium. Sharing her thoughts behind the making of this Doodle, she said, “The artwork celebrates Hazarika’s work to popularize Assamese cinema and folk music.”
Google mentioned, “Happy birthday, Bhupen Hazarika! Your songs and films continue to command respect for Assam’s rich culture.”
Bhupen Hazarika was born in 1926 in Assam. He grew up in Sadiya, Upper Assam and spent his childhood being inspired by songs and folk takes about life along the Brahmaputra river.
He completed his matriculation in 1940 and then graduated from Banaras Hindu University in 1946 with a master’s in political science. He then went on to earn a Ph.D. in mass communications from Columbia University in 1952 and returned to India after completing his studies.
Renowned Assamese lyricist, Jyotiprasad Agarwala and filmmaker Bishnu Prasad Rabha were highly pleased by the musical talent of Bhupen Hazarika and they gave him a chance to record his first song at the age of 10.
By age 12, he started writing and recording songs for two films, Indramalati: Kakhote Kolosi Loi, and Biswo Bijoyi Naujawan. Over time, he created numerous compositions and his songs were based on themes of happiness, grief, unity, courage, romance and loneliness.
Bhupen Hazarika died from multi-organ failure on November 5, 2011. In 2019, he was honored with the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award.
