To celebrate the famous performer Bhupen Hazarika’s 96th birthday in New Delhi, Google has produced a doodle. Hazarika, who died in 2011, was a composer, singer, poet, director, and lyricist. He additionally served in the Assam Assembly as an MLA from 1967 to 1972. He has been known as “Sudhakantha” and has made hundreds of movie appearances over the course of a six-decade career. The doodle was made by Mumbai-based guest artist Rutuja Mali and features Hazarika playing the harmonium.
Childhood And Education
Bhupen Hazarika, who was born on September 8, 1926, in Assam, was exposed to songs and traditions as a young child about living near the Brahmaputra river. He made his first musical recording when he was 10 years old.
The vocalist earned an Intermediate in Arts in 1942 and an MA in 1946 from Banaras Hindu University (BHU). Soon after, he relocated to New York, where he remained for the subsequent five years before obtaining his PhD in mass communication from Columbia University in 1952.
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His Contribution to Music And Culture
After finishing school, Hazarika began singing at All India Radio in Guwahati. He has also lent his voice to Bengali music that has been translated into Hindi.
Hazarika produced a large number of songs over the years, and he was also known for using music to express stories of people’s different emotions.
As he sung songs in blockbuster movies like “Rudali,” “Mil Gayi Manzil Mujhe,” “Saj,” “Darmiyan,” “Gajgamini,” “Daman,” and “Kyun,” he also won the hearts of many over the years.
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Honors and Awards
For all the extraordinary contributions he made to music and culture, he received great honors. From the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, to the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, to the Padma Shri, and the Padma Bhushan, he was honored with all these. Also, the Bharat Ratna, i.e., India’s highest civilian honor, was given to him posthumously in 2019.
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