New Delhi, Sept 8 (HS): India on Monday paid rich tributes to legendary singer, composer, lyricist, poet, and filmmaker Bhupen Hazarika on his centenary birth anniversary. Prominent leaders including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari, Manohar Lal Khattar, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Sarbananda Sonowal, Kiren Rijiju, as well as chief ministers Yogi Adityanath, Himanta Biswa Sarma and Pema Khandu remembered his extraordinary cultural legacy.

Home Minister Amit Shah, recalling him in a post, described Hazarika as the singer of the Brahmaputra, whose soulful voice carried the spirit of Assam to the world. He said Hazarika’s compositions spread messages of love, unity, and humanity, and added that conferring the Bharat Ratna on him by Prime Minister Narendra Modi immortalized his legacy.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed Hazarika as a visionary artist whose music embodied the soul of Assam and enriched India’s cultural landscape with messages of justice and harmony that continue to inspire generations.

Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari saluted the maestro, while Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge noted that as the nation celebrates his centenary year, it pays homage to a visionary musician deeply rooted in Assam’s cultural traditions whose works transcended regional boundaries to convey the timeless values of humanity and universal brotherhood.

Rahul Gandhi praised Hazarika for giving Assamese folk culture and Indian music global recognition, saying his songs broke barriers of language and geography to unite people across the country.

Housing and Urban Development Minister Manohar Lal remembered Hazarika as a rare genius who brought Assamese culture and Indian music to international prominence. Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan hailed him for creating timeless classics like Dil Hoom Hoom Kare, Ganga Behti Ho Kyon, and Samay O Dheere Chalo, which continue to resonate with music lovers.

Union Minister and former Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal described him as the extraordinary voice of Mother India, whose art presented the soul of Assam and the Northeast to the world. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju noted that Hazarika’s immortal melodies continue to mesmerize, while Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath lauded his contributions to Assamese folk culture and Indian music.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma called his life a poem that carried Assam to the global stage through melodies of humanity and love, while Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu said Hazarika’s songs continue to inspire peace, unity, and cultural pride across the region.

Widely revered as the Bard of the Brahmaputra, Bhupen Hazarika wrote and sang in Assamese, Hindi, and several other languages. His works gave voice to India’s social and cultural fabric, while films such as Rudaali and Darmiyaan showcased his versatility. Decorated with the Bharat Ratna, Dadasaheb Phalke Award, and Sangeet Natak Akademi honors, his legacy remains a priceless treasure of India’s cultural heritage as the nation marks his centenary celebrations.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar