Assam down town University Marks Dr Bhupen Hazarika’s Birth Centenary

Guwahati: Assam down town University (AdtU) commemorated the 100th birth anniversary of legendary Assamese cultural icon Dr Bhupen Hazarika with an evening of music, dance and cinema on Saturday, August 29. The programme, organised on the university campus, brought together students, faculty members and university officials to pay tribute to Hazarika’s enduring contribution to Assamese culture through music, cinema and storytelling. The event featured a solo musical performance by an AdtU student, followed by a piano recital by Devanga Bidrum Kalita. The recital included compositions by renowned composers and musicians such as Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Handel and Halvorsen, Yiruma, Ginastera, John Lennon, Leonard Cohen and James Horner. The musical presentation also included two of Hazarika’s widely recognised compositions, “Bistirno Parore” and “Manuhe Manuhor Babe”, highlighting themes of social consciousness, empathy and human solidarity that remained central to his work. Adding to the cultural programme, AdtU students presented a group dance performance. The evening also featured a screening of the short film “Patralekha”, directed by Namrata Datta. Speaking at the event, AdtU Chancellor Dr Narendra Nath Dutta said Hazarika’s enduring legacy was his ability to turn the experiences of ordinary people into art that continued to resonate across generations. Also Read: AdtU Mobilises Relief Material for Flood-Affected Regions of Assam “Dr Bhupen Hazarika’s greatest legacy lies in his ability to transform the experiences of ordinary people into art that speaks to generations. His birth centenary is an opportunity for our young people to discover not only his music, but also the values of humanity and social responsibility that shaped his work,” Dutta said. AdtU Vice Chancellor Dr Narayan Chandra Talukdar said the university also had a role in preserving and passing on cultural values to younger generations. “A University is also a space where culture and values are carried forward. Through this celebration, our students have had the opportunity to engage with Dr Hazarika’s remarkable legacy and interpret it through their own creativity,” Talukdar said. The programme was attended by Chancellor Dr Narendra Nath Dutta, Vice Chancellor Dr Narayan Chandra Talukdar, Pro Vice Chancellor Prof Pranveer Singh and members of the university’s administrative, teaching and non-teaching staff. The celebration concluded with a tribute to Hazarika’s artistic journey and his lasting influence on Assamese culture, with the university highlighting the continued relevance of his music in promoting cultural identity, empathy and social harmony. Also Read: AdtU Celebrates Academic Excellence at 13th Convocation, Confers Degrees on 1,885 Graduates