Kolkata was more than simply a metropolis to Dr. Bhupen Hazarika; it was his creative haven, his second home, and the platform from which his voice brought Assam’s spirit to the globe. He picked Tollygunge as his base in 1956, marking the start of his Bengali adventure. His house became a cultural hub where legends met, creativity flourished, and music crossed boundaries for almost forty years. An ongoing testament to his legacy of unity is the restoration of that old home, which is currently held by the Assam government, as a cultural center.

On September 8, Byatikram, in partnership with the Directorate of Cultural Affairs, Government of Assam, and the Indian Museum, Kolkata, held a magnificent centennial celebration of the Bard of Brahmaputra, bringing that heritage to life once more.

Before the portrait of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, the evening began with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp and sincere floral tributes. Shortly after, young students performed a hauntingly lovely performance that appeared to transcend generations and provide a heartfelt prelude to the celebration that evening.

At the age of ninety-three, Padma Shri Baul Samrat Purna Das opened the ceremony with the poignant remark, “Perhaps in seven years I will be able to meet Bhupen Hazarika somewhere, someday. I stand for fraternity and unity as a Baul, and Bhupen Da embodied those same values. We are all here today, connected in humanity and music, thanks to him”.

Also gracing the occasion were Snehasish Sur, President, Kolkata Press Club, Dolly Ghosh, Eminent Singer, Rajib Das from Dohar Band, Dr. Reema Das Mallik, Founder of Illumis Clinic, Swapnanil Barua, Rtd IAS officer, Govt of Assam, Prasad Ranjan Das, Engineer, Sampa Das, a renowned Fashion Designer, Anup Bhakta, CAO, JMB Healthcare, Gautam Bhattacharjee, Banker, Razvee Hussain, Rtd ACS Officer, Rina Mitra, HOD, Centre of Creative & Performing Arts, NSHM Knowledge Campus, Dibyendu Das Baul, Eminent Baul Artist, Nishit Boron Singha Roy, Writer and Author and Dr. Saumen Bharatiya, President of Byatikram and Lions Club of Guwahati Byatikram, among others

 Regarding Hazarika’s connection to the city, Dr. Swapnil Barua said, “Bhupen Hazarika received a great deal of love from Kolkata. He developed become a cultural leader there. Every performance today was a genuine offering of the heart, and the love was so great that no artist accepted payment”.

“Many of us first learned of Mass Communication only after Bhupen Hazarika earned his doctorate in it. He was a trailblazer in scholarship, philosophy, and music,” said Snehasish Sur.

The event saw the performance of legendary artists like Srikanta Acharya, Lopamudra Mitra, Chandrima Bhattacharjee, Dohar band, Anubhuti Kakoti Goswami, Jayati Bhattacharjee, Kashmiri Kataki Mallick,  Mithun Dhar, Musafir band, Srijita Mitra Bhattacharjee, Dolly Ghosh, and Sharbani Bhattacharjee, among others.

The audience was left in amazement by the captivating 100-member chorus performed by students from NSHM Knowledge Campus in Kolkata, whose young voices reverberated with harmony.

During the occasion, renowned vocalist Haimanti Shukla was also given the Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Byatikram International Award 2025. She expressed her sincere appreciation despite being unable to attend in person.

Mr. Gour Pal and Mr. Saroj Barua, two renowned musicians who had the honor of performing with the legendary singer, received Byatikram’s special recognition, which was dedicated to the legacy of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika. Ashok Chakraborty, Dr. Junmoni Devi Khaund, Soheli Seal Sarkar, Seema Sharma, Shyamashree Das Gupta, and Sheila Daryani received additional recognition.

One fact persisted in everyone’s heart as the evening came to an end: Bhupen Hazarika has never abandoned us. His centenary was a resurrection, not a commemoration. His songs are still relevant today. His message continues to be healing. His legacy still serves as guidance.

Priyanka Dutta