The Assam government on Friday announced that eminent singer Usha Mangeshkar will receive the inaugural Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhupen Hazarika National Award in recognition of her contributions to Indian music and her association with Bhupen Hazarika's work, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said at a press briefing.
National ceremony to be presided over by Prime Minister
The award will be presented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the concluding event of Hazarika’s year-long birth centenary celebrations scheduled for 29 November at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, the Chief Minister said. The cabinet of Assam has approved instituting the award to honour figures in music, arts and cinema and to perpetuate the legacy of the singer, composer and filmmaker.
The prize is to be conferred once every three years on an internationally or nationally recognised personality in the arts. The inaugural award carries a cash component of ₹10 lakh together with a citation, Mr Sarma added.
Programme and participants
The concluding ceremony is expected to draw a sizeable gathering, with organisers estimating attendance in the range of 5,000–7,000 people from across the country. Several noted vocalists have been lined up to pay tribute to Hazarika’s oeuvre.
- Performers named: Kavita Krishnamurthy, Shankar Mahadevan, Shreya Ghoshal and artistes from Assam.
- Other events: An exhibition chronicling Hazarika’s creations will be part of the programme to introduce his work to a wider international audience.
- Award periodicity: Once every three years for contributions to music, arts or cinema.
Mr Sarma underscored that the culmination of the centenary festivities should befit the stature of an artist whose work earned him the sobriquet ‘Bard of the Brahmaputra’. He stressed the need to carry forward Hazarika’s humanist ideas — of harmony and universal brotherhood — to younger generations while enhancing global appreciation of his cultural contributions.
"The culmination of the year-long celebrations must reflect the stature of a cultural icon whose creative genius enriched Assam and the nation alike," the Chief Minister said.
Why the award matters for Assam
Institution of a national award in Hazarika’s name positions Assam at the centre of a high-profile cultural commemoration and signals state involvement in promoting national recognition of its artistic heritage. By linking the prize and the centenary finale to New Delhi, the state aims to amplify Hazarika’s legacy beyond regional boundaries and engage a pan-Indian audience.
For Assam’s cultural community, the event provides a platform to present local talent alongside established national artistes, and the accompanying exhibition is intended to familiarise visitors with Hazarika’s multifaceted output as a musician, poet and filmmaker.
Event logistics and audience
The government’s estimate of 5,000–7,000 attendees suggests a large-scale production with performances, displays and official ceremonies. The three-year award cycle is designed to keep Hazarika’s name and message in public discourse on a continuing basis.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Award name | Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhupen Hazarika National Award |
| First recipient | Usha Mangeshkar |
| Prize | ₹10 lakh and a citation |
| Presentation | 29 November at Bharat Mandapam; to be presented by the Prime Minister |
| Frequency | Every three years |
The Chief Minister said the event will include tributes by renowned singers and an exhibition of Hazarika’s creations, aimed at both national and international visitors. While the announcement focuses on ceremony and celebration, the award also serves a symbolic purpose: enshrining a native son’s values within contemporary cultural discourse.
Bhupen Hazarika’s music and writings long bridged regional and national sensibilities. The new award and the centenary finale are planned as instruments to sustain that reach and to present his message of humanity to a broader public.
Preparations are likely to intensify in the coming weeks as organisers finalise the programme and logistics for the large-scale event in the national capital.
