Birth anniversary of Bhupen Hazarika to be celebrated in Maharashtra

Mumbai: To commemorate the birth anniversary of legendary singer Dr Bhupen Hazarika, Pune-based Sarhad, an organisation committed to fostering peace and integration in India's border regions, will be conducting a series of events and initiatives across Pune, Mumbai, and New Delhi throughout the year.

Dr Hazarika (September 8, 1926 – November 5, 2011) shared a deep emotional bond with Maharashtra. The formal inauguration is scheduled for the first week of September 2025 in Pune.

Union Minister for Development of the Northeast Region Jyotiraditya Scindia and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will inaugurate the celebrations.

This announcement was made on July 13 by Shailesh Wadekar and Anuj Nahar, trustees of Sarhad.

In the final years of Dr Hazarika’s life, Sarhad had the opportunity to connect with him in Mumbai.

During this association, Sarhad and Dr Hazarika decided to work towards integrating the youth of North East India into the national mainstream.

“He spent a significant part of his life in Mumbai, which he regarded as his karmabhoomi. After his passing, with the consent of his family, Sarhad instituted the Bhupen Hazarika National Award in his memory. This year too, the award will be presented to distinguished individuals from North-East India,” Sarhad said.

During the year, will be undertaken: composition of music for Dr Hazarika’s unpublished lyrics, special lectures, seminars, and publication of books, establishment of the ‘Bhupen Hazarika Studio’ and the ‘Late Smt. Jamnabai Firodia NorthEast India Bhavan' in Pune, cultural programmes in Delhi, Mumbai, and Pune.

“Dr Hazarika strongly believed that music can be a powerful medium to reduce violence and terrorism. This core philosophy will be central to the centenary-year initiatives,” Sarhad said.