Bhupen Hazarika’s Fine Intellectual Insight And Power To Connect Reflects In His Famous Conversion Of Ol' Man River’s As ‘Bistrino Aporare’

Mozart of Assam music late Bhupen Hazarika may be known as but his past  at the earlier stage was streamlined from wealthy lifestyle as  he was cornered by destiny in a remote place named as Sadiya in Assam where he was born. But Bhupen’s indomitable energy drove him beyond the limits to connect people globally by creating distinction through his versatile works in music, art and theater that had universal link.

Eldest of the ten children Bhupen Hazarika never daunted the spirit of his parents under all financial hardship and made them feel proud of their efforts in bringing them under all odds. It is in  saying that a person’s destiny is linked to his childhood activities, where in the case of Bhupen Hazarika it was reflected at the age of 10 years when he was noticed by noted Assamese personalities like Jyotiprasad Agarwala the first filmmaker of Assam and revolutionary poet Bishnu Prasad Rabha at a public function.

Effortless performance in a complicated category of devotional song known as Borgeet of Assamese culture by the ten years  age Bhupen had profoundly captivated the icons of Assamese music industry. This exposure to the right people at the early age was the breaking point for Bhupen Hazarika’s bright future as he was successful to grab two projects from Jyotiprasad Agarwala the noted personality in Assamese cultural development.

If not for his passionate mother who was the driving force in giving an edge to his career at the early stage as she had great hands in polishing Bhupen’s talent and bringing him to exposure, else he would have been remembered as state’s great intellectual since he was brilliant in studies.

He was just twelve when professionalism came to Bhupen due to land of voice for two songs in Jyotiprasad Agarwala’s film  Indramalati  in 1939. The songs were an instant hit where Biswo Bijoyi Naujawan is still favored today along with Kaxote Kolosi Loi. Bhupen had aced not only in singing but also in higher intellectual work where at the age of thirteen he first penned down a complicated lyric ‘Agnijugor Firingoti Moi’ of in depth meaning.  Bhupen reflected much maturity beyond his age through his dynamic performance.

Tezpur was the base for Bhupen’s new beginning in his music career after multiple  change of locations due to his father’s profession. It was in Tezpur where Bhupen’s talent bloomed and came to exposure to noted personalities of Assam. Memorable phase in Tezpur for Bhupen was when he got the chance to head to the Selona Company, Kolkata in 1936 for his first song recording in Jyotiprasad Agarwala’s film.

This noted Indian singer Bhupen Hazarika who had built his empire in music was reckoned for his prestigious acclamations like National Film Award for Best Music Direction (1975), Padmashri (1977), Padmabhushan (2001), Padma Vibhushan (2012), Dada Saheb Phalke Award (1992) and  India's The National Academy for Music, Dance and Drama (2008).

Intellectual singer won’t be wrong to say about Bhupen Hazarika as his close observation on political scenario all over the world to understand the sentiments of the society was effortlessly communicated through his songs and poetries and drama that triggered people with awe in worldwide.

Bhupen’s works reflected humanitarian objective to make a better world. No doubt on the other side of the coin Bhupen had distinction in his studies also, procured twice master degree in varied subjects including fetch of PhD from Colombia University, New York. This highly bright student will equivalently build an empire in music and drama one day nobody must have thought. May be his higher studies opened up his perspective on life and music career as during his study in New York he was able to create a network of influential musicians with intense social inclination.

Someone who had heavily influenced him was Paul Robeson who had created powerful l Ol' Man River lyric which was a globally popular for its humanitarian essence. Prominent civil rights activist Paul’s essence could be felt  in major works of Bhupen due to which his music is able to touch the chords of various societies globally where his song ‘Bistirno parore’ influenced from Ol' Man River lyrics is an all time favorite.

Ol' Man River’s Assamese, Hindi and Bengali versions fetched him great honor and popularity with mass globally.  Muktijoddha Padak was conferred on Bhupen Hazarika in the "Friend of the Freedom Struggle" category by Bangladesh Government (posthumously in 2011) for his great humanitarian inclination.

Theme of "Ol' Man River" is about the struggle of Africans for freedom against the foreign American rulers which story was featured in a boat at the backdrop of the Mississippi River.   This bass solo song is prominent for its association with the condition of social class and struggle for liberty from slavery against foreigners. ‘Bistirno parore’ has the same flavor as it was developed by Bhupen Hazarika on Assam’s pro-activist’s fight for their right to save Assam from foreign hands. This resembled today as virtual anthem for this activist.

NEIC Special: Sumi
Art Illustration: SUMI