- Bhupen Hazarika
-
Bhupen Hazarika 
Born 8 September 1926
Sadiya, Assam, British IndiaDied 5 November 2011 (aged 85)
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India[1]Occupation musician, singer, poet, filmmaker and lyricist Years active 1939–2011 Spouse Priyamvada Patel (separated) Partner Kalpana Lajmi Children Tez Bhupen Hazarika Signature 
Website Official website Bhupen Hazarika (Assamese: ভূপেন হাজৰিকা; 1926 – 2011) was an Indian lyricist, musician, singer, poet and film-maker from Assam. His songs are infused with humanity and universalism, and have been sung in many languages, most notable in Bengali and Hindi besides his native Assamese. Known for writing strong lyrics with themes of communal amity, universal justice and empathy, his songs have become popular among all sections of ethnic and religious communities in Assam, besides West Bengal and Bangladesh. He is acknowledged widely in the Hindi film industry for introducing Hindi film to the sounds and folk music of Assam and Northeast India.
Contents
Biography
Early life
Hazarika was born on September 8, 1926 to Nilakanta and Shantipriya Hazarika in Sadiya, Assam. The eldest of ten children, Bhupen Hazarika (as also his siblings) was exposed to the musical influence of his mother who exposed him to lullabies and traditional music of Assam. In search of better prospects his father moved to the Bharalumukh region of Guwahati in 1929,[2] where Bhupen Hazarika spent his early childhood. In 1932 his father moved to Dhubri,[3] and in 1935 to Tezpur[4] It was in Tezpur that Bhupen Hazarika, then 10 years of age, was discovered by Jyotiprasad Agarwala and Bishnu Prasad Rabha where he sung a Borgeet taught by his mother at a public function. In 1936 Bhupen Hazarika accompanied them to Kolkata where he recorded his first song at the Aurora Studio for the Selona Company.[5] His association with the icons of Assamese culture at Tezpur was the beginning of his artistic growth and credentials.
Education
He studied at Sonaram High School at Guwahati, Dhubri Government High School[6] and matriculated from Tezpur High School in 1940. He completed his Intermediate Arts from Cotton College in 1942, and went on to Banaras Hindu University to complete his BA (1944) and MA (1946) in Political Science. He won a scholarship from Columbia University and set sail for New York in 1949, where he earned a PhD (1952) on "Proposals for Preparing India's Basic Education to Use Audio-Visual Techniques in Adult Education". He also befriended the legendary Paul Robeson, whose lessons on humanity and universalism were to last Bhupen Hazarika's entire life.[7]
At Columbia University he met Priyamvada Patel, whom he married in 1950. Tez Hazarika, their only child, was born in 1952.[8]
Professional life
After completing his MA he briefly worked at the All India Radio station at Guwahati[9] before embarking for his doctoral studies at Columbia University.
Soon after completing his education, he became a teacher at the Gauhati University.[10]
He was elected the President of the Asam Sahitya Sabha in 1993.[11]
Later life
He met Kalpana Lajmi in the 1980s[12] and they made the film Ek Pal (' at the Internet Movie Database) (1986). Since then Lajmi began managing him professionally and personally till the end of his life.[13][14][15]
He was pursuaded by the Bharatiya Janata Party via Kalpana Lajmi to enter the electoral fray as its candidate in the 2004 Lok Sabha elections from the Guwahati constituency,[16] which he lost to the INC candidate Kirip Chaliha.
Death
Hazarika was hospitalized in the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital and Medical Research Institute in Mumbai in 2011.[17][18] He was admitted to the intensive care unit on 30 June 2011. He died of multi-organ failure on 5 November 2011.[19][20][21] His body lay in state at the Judges Fields in Guwahati and cremated on November 9, 2011 near the Brahmaputra river in a plot of land donated by Gauhati University. His funeral was attended by an estimated half a million people.[citation needed]
Artist's biography
Beginnings
A young Bhupen Hazarika was noticed by the doyens of Assamese culture, Jyotiprasad Agarwala and Bishnuprasad Rabha , when he had performed a Borgeet at the age of 10 in Tezpur. Subsequently, Hazarika sang two songs in Agarwala's film Indramalati (1939)[22][23]: Kaxote Kolosi Loi and Biswo Bijoyi Naujawan at the tender age of 12. He wrote his first song, Agnijugor Firingoti Moi at the age of 13[24] and he was well on his way to to becoming a lyricist, composer and singer.
IPTA years
Hazarika began close association with the leftist Indian People's Theatre Association soon after returning from the USA in 1953. [25] and became the secretary of the Reception Committee of the third All Assam Conference of IPTA held in Guwahati in 1955.
Later years
In the period after the release of Ek Pal (1986) till the end of his life Bhupen Hazarika's mainly concentrated on Hindi films, most of which were directed by Kalpana Lajmi. Ek Pal (1986), Rudaali (1993) and Daman (2001) are major films this period. Many of his earlier songs were re-written in Hindi used as played-back songs in these films. These songs tried to cater to the Hindi film milieu and their social activist lyrics were browbeaten into the lowest common denominator.[26]
Legacy and influences
Hazarika (right) with Hartmut König (left) at the Berlin Festival of Political Songs in 1972
As a singer, Hazarika was known for his baritone voice and diction;[27] as a lyricist, he was known for poetic compositions and parables which touched on themes ranging from romance to social and political commentary; and as a composer for his use of folk music.[citation needed] Some of his most famous compositions were adaptations of American black spirituals that he had learned from Paul Robeson, whom he had befriended during his years in New York City in the early 1950s.[28]
Awards and honors
- Award for the Best Regional Film (Chameli Memsaab; music by Bhupen Hazarika) in the 23rd National Film Awards (1975)[29]
- Padma Shri - the fourth highest civilian award in the Republic of India (1977)
- Gold medal from the State Government of Arunachal Pradesh for "outstanding contribution towards tribal welfare, and uplift of tribal culture through cinema and music." (1979)[30]
- All India Critic Association Award for best performing folk artist (1979)
- In 1979 and 1980 he won the Ritwik Ghatak Award as best music director for two theatre plays, Mohua Sundari, and Nagini Kanyar Kahini
- Bengal Journalist's Association Indira Gandhi Smriti Puraskar in (1987)
- Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1987)
- Dadasaheb Phalke Award (1992)
- First Indian to win Best Music for the film Rudaali at the Asia Pacific International Film Festival in Japan (1993)
- Padma Bhushan - the third highest civilian award in the Republic of India (2001)
- Honorary Degree from Tezpur University (2001)
- 10th Kalakar Award for Lifetime Achievement in the year 2002, Kolkata.
- Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship (2008)
- Asom Ratna - the highest civilian award in the State of Assam, India (2009)
- In February 2009, the All Assam Students Union erected a life size statue of Hazarika on the banks of Digholi Pukhuri in Guwahati.[31]
Filmography
Year Film Credited as Playback singer Composer Director Producer Writer Actor 1939 Indramalati Yes 1948 Siraj Yes 1955 Pioli Phukan Yes 1956 Era Bator Sur Yes Yes 1958 Mahut Bandhu Re Yes 1961 Shakuntala Sur Yes Yes 1964 Pratidhwani Yes 1964 Ka Swariti Yes 1966 Lati-Ghati Yes 1969 Chik Mik Bijuli Yes 1973 Titash Ekti Nadir Naam Yes 1973 Aarop Yes 1974 For Whom the Sun Shines Yes 1975 Chameli Memsaab Yes Yes 1976 Roop Konwar Jyoti Parsad Aru Joymoti Yes 1976 Mera Dharam Meri Maa Yes Yes 1977 Through Melody and Rhythm Yes 1977 Shimana Perye Yes 1979 Mon-Prajapati Yes 1979 Debdas Yes 1982 Aparoopa Yes 1986 Swikarokti Yes 1986 Ek Pal Yes Yes Yes Yes 1988 Siraj Yes Yes 1993 Rudaali Yes Yes 1993 Pratimurti Yes 1997 Do Rahain Yes 1997 Darmiyaan: In Between Yes Yes 1998 Saaz Yes 2000 Gaja Gamini Yes Yes 2001 Daman: A Victim of Marital Violence Yes Yes 2003 Kyon? Yes 2006 Chingaari Yes Yes 2011 Gandhi to Hitler Yes References
- ^ "Acclaimed singer Bhupen Hazarika dies at 85". CNN-IBN. 5 November 2011. http://ibnlive.in.com/news/acclaimed-singer-bhupen-hazarika-dies-at-85/199577-8-66.html. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
- ^ http://www.frontlineonnet.com/stories/20111202282412800.htm
- ^ http://www.telegraphindia.com/1111112/jsp/northeast/story_14737522.jsp
- ^ http://www.frontlineonnet.com/stories/20111202282412800.htm
- ^ http://www.frontlineonnet.com/stories/20111202282412800.htm
- ^ http://www.telegraphindia.com/1111112/jsp/northeast/story_14737522.jsp
- ^ Sushanta Talukdar, Brahmaputra Balladeer, The Hindu, November 10, 2011
- ^ Asjad Nazir, Bhupen Hazarika obituary, The Guardian, November 6, 2011
- ^ Asjad Nazir, Bhupen Hazarika obituary, The Guardian, November 6, 2011
- ^ Sushanta Talukdar, Brahmaputra Balladeer, The Hindu, November 10, 2011
- ^ "Presidents of Asam Sahitya Sabha since 1917". Asam Sahitya Sabha. http://www.asamsahityasabha.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=46&Itemid=56. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
- ^ Hemendra Prasad Barooah, Fond memories of a schoolmate, The Telegraph, Nov 9, 2011
- ^ http://ibnlive.in.com/blogs/rituparnachatterjee/2802/62880/kalpana-lajmibhupen-hazarika-a-40yearold-love-story.html
- ^ http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/nation/northeast/hazarika-funeral-put-fans-keep-pouring-063
- ^ http://movies.ndtv.com/movie_story.aspx?Section=Movies&ID=ENTEN20110187485&subcatg=MOVIESINDIA&keyword=music&nid=147290
- ^ Chandan Mitra, The boatman's missing melody, The Pioneer, November 12, 2011
- ^ http://movies.ndtv.com/movie_story.aspx?Section=Movies&ID=ENTEN20110187488&subcatg=MOVIESINDIA&keyword=music&nid=147298
- ^ http://www.cathnewsindia.com/2011/11/07/church-condoles-hazarikas-death/
- ^ "Music Legend Bhupen Hazarika passes away". Bollywood Life. http://www.bollywoodlife.com/news-gossip/bhupen-hazarika-passes-away. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
- ^ "Bhupen Hazarika is no more.". Indiavision news. 5 November 2011. http://www.indiavision.com/news/article/entertainment/245379/bhupen-hazarika-is-no-more.
- ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-15606150
- ^ http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/hazarikas-death-arunachal-declares-state-mourning-tomorrow/891069.htmlHnuN-mcrqURLQ&sig2=p9LX2B3BWgLCl_7yLX7NEQ
- ^ http://www.apunkachoice.com/content/article/sid100007099-thousands_pay_last_respects_to_bhupen_hazarika/
- ^ Sushanta Talukdar, Brahmaputra Balladeer, The Hindu, November 10, 2011
- ^ Sushanta Talukdar, Brahmaputra Balladeer, The Hindu, November 10, 2011
- ^ Debraj Mookerjee, Bhupen Da done in by the popular, The Pioneer, November 12, 2011
- ^ "Eastern Fare News International obituary for Hazarika". Efi-news.com. 8 September 2011. http://www.efi-news.com/2011/09/assamese-maestro-turns-86.html. Retrieved 2011-11-05.
- ^ "Dr. Bhupen Hazarika official biography". http://www.bhupenhazarika.com/bio/index.phpl. Retrieved 2011-11-06.
- ^ "NFA archives". Directorate of Film Festivals. http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm23rdNFAAward.aspx?PdfName=23NFA.pdf. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
- ^ "Arunachal Pradesh mourns Hazarika's death". The Hindu. 2011-11-06. http://www.thehindu.com/arts/music/article2603749.ece. Retrieved 2011-11-06.
- ^ "Hazarika's statue unveiled". The Hindu Group. http://www.hindu.com/2009/02/15/stories/2009021560811100.htm. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
External links
Gallery
Some relevant photographs 
People outside Hazarika's home on 7 November 2011
Hazarika lying in repose in Judge field, Guwahati. Nov. 8 2011
Hazarika lying in repose in Judge field, Guwahati. Nov. 8 2011Dadasaheb Phalke Award 1969–1980 Devika Rani Chaudhuri Roerich (1969) · B. N. Sircar (1970) · Prithviraj Kapoor (1971) · Pankaj Mullick (1972) · Ruby Myers (1973) · Bommireddy Narasimha Reddy (1974) · Dhirendranath Ganguly (1975) · Kanan Devi (1976) · Nitin Bose (1977) · Rai Chand Boral (1978) · Sohrab Modi (1979) · Paidi Jairaj (1980)
1981–2000 Naushad Ali (1981) · L. V. Prasad (1982) · Durga Khote (1983) · Satyajit Ray (1984) · V. Shantaram (1985) · Bommireddy Nagi Reddy (1986) · Raj Kapoor (1987) · Ashok Kumar (1988) · Lata Mangeshkar (1989) · Akkineni Nageswara Rao (1990) · Bhalji Pendharkar (1991) · Bhupen Hazarika (1992) · Majrooh Sultanpuri (1993) · Dilip Kumar (1994) · Rajkumar (1995) · Sivaji Ganesan (1996) · Pradeep (1997) · B. R. Chopra (1998) · Hrishikesh Mukherjee (1999) · Asha Bhosle (2000)
2001–present Yash Chopra (2001) · Dev Anand (2002) · Mrinal Sen (2003) · Adoor Gopalakrishnan (2004) · Shyam Benegal (2005) · Tapan Sinha (2006) · Manna Dey (2007) · V. K. Murthy (2008) · D. Ramanaidu (2009) · K. Balachander (2010)
National Film Award for Best Music Direction 1968–1980 K. V. Mahadevan (1968) · Kalyanji Anandji (1969) · S. Mohinder (1970) · Madan Mohan (1971) · Jaidev (1972) · Sachin Dev Burman (1973) · Satyajit Ray (1974) · Ananda Shankar (1975) · Bhupen Hazarika (1976) · B. V. Karanth (1977) · B. V. Karanth (1978) · Jaidev (1979) · K. V. Mahadevan (1980)
1981–2000 Satyajit Ray (1981) · Khayyam (1982) · Ramesh Naidu (1983) · Ilaiyaraaja (1984) · Jaidev (1985) · Ilaiyaraaja (1986) · M. Balamuralikrishna (1987) · Vanraj Bhatia (1988) · Ilaiyaraaja (1989) · Sher Chowdhary (1990) · Hridayanath Mangeshkar (1991) · Rajat Dholakia (1992) · A. R. Rahman (1993) · Johnson (1994) · Ravi (Bombay) and Johnson (1995) · Hamsalekha (1996) · A. R. Rahman (1997) · M. M. Keeravani (1998) · Vishal Bhardwaj (1999) · Ismail Darbar (2000)
2001–present Anu Malik (2001) · A. R. Rahman (2002) · A. R. Rahman (2003) · Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy (2004) · Vidyasagar (2005) · Lalgudi Jayaraman (2006) · Ashok Patki (2007) · Ouseppachan (2008) · Ajay-Atul (2009) · Amit Trivedi and Ilaiyaraaja (2010) · Vishal Bhardwaj and Isaac Thomas Kottukapally (2011)
Categories:- 1926 births
- 2011 deaths
- Assamese playback singers
- Assamese-language film directors
- Asom Sahitya Sabha Presidents
- Banaras Hindu University alumni
- Bollywood playback singers
- Dadasaheb Phalke Award recipients
- Deaths from multiple organ failure
- Indian cinematographers
- Indian film directors
- Indian male singers
- Musicians of Assam
- Recipients of the Padma Bhushan
- Recipients of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
- Recipients of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship
- People from Tinsukia
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