Usha Mangeshkar to Receive Bhupen Hazarika Award in Delhi Ceremony
Usha Mangeshkar will be honored with the Bhupen Hazarika Award on November 29 in Delhi for her contributions to Indian music.
Guwahati, October 23 (Daily Kiran) : The Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, announced on Friday that renowned playback singer Usha Mangeshkar will receive the prestigious Bhupen Hazarika Award. The ceremony will take place on November 29 in New Delhi, coinciding with the centenary celebration of the legendary Assamese singer and composer, Bhupen Hazarika.
During a media briefing following a state cabinet meeting, Sarma revealed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the event at the Bharat Mandapam in the national capital. The award comes with a cash prize of 10 lakh rupees and recognizes Mangeshkar’s significant contributions to Indian music.
This ceremony is part of the celebrations marking the 100th birth anniversary of Bhupen Hazarika, one of India’s most celebrated cultural icons. His music and poetry transcended linguistic and regional barriers, resonating with audiences across the globe.
Born on September 8, 1926, in Sadiya, Assam, Hazarika was affectionately known as Sudhakantha or the Nightingale due to his distinctive voice and powerful musical expression. His songs often addressed themes of humanity, social justice, equality, communal harmony, and the lives of ordinary people.
Hazarika played a crucial role in bringing Assamese music and culture to national and international prominence. Drawing inspiration from Assamese folk traditions, he created music that touched the hearts of both Indian and global audiences. His renowned compositions, which reflect the struggles of everyday people and the unity of humanity, hold a special place in India’s cultural heritage.
Throughout his lifetime, Hazarika received numerous prestigious awards, including the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1992, India’s highest honor in cinema. He was also awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2001 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2012. Posthumously, he received India’s highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, in 2019.
The centenary celebrations aim to highlight Hazarika’s enduring contributions to music, cinema, and literature while revitalizing his legacy as a cultural ambassador for Assam and the Northeast. With the Prime Minister’s participation, the event is expected to elevate the national profile of this remarkable artist’s centenary celebrations.
