Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to the social media platform X, posting from his official handle @narendramodi to pay tribute to legendary singer Dr. Bhupen Hazarika on his 100th birth anniversary. Modi's post honoured the artist widely associated with Assam's and the Northeast's cultural identity.
What Modi wrote on X
In his post, Narendra Modi said he was remembering Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Ji on his 100th birth anniversary. Modi wrote, "His voice carried the soul of Assam and the spirit of the Northeast to the entire nation." He added that through his music, Hazarika beautifully gave expression to the thoughts and spirit of countless people. The post also included a link, which appeared to carry an accompanying image or video related to Dr. Hazarika.
Who was Dr. Bhupen Hazarika
Dr. Bhupen Hazarika is regarded as a cultural icon not just in Assam but across the entire Northeast of India. He was honoured with the Bharat Ratna, the country's highest civilian award. His songs frequently spoke of rivers, ordinary people and human dignity, carrying a message of unity and brotherhood. That is one reason his music continues to be recalled in states like Arunachal Pradesh as a symbol of harmony and brotherhood among the region's people.
A recurring pattern of centenary tributes
Over the past several months, India has been marking the 100th birth anniversaries of several cultural figures, and Narendra Modi himself has repeatedly used social media to pay tribute on such occasions. He has previously remembered legendary singer Mohammed Rafi and actor Raj Kapoor on their 100th birth anniversaries. In recent months, the country has also seen wide discussion around the centenaries of actor Dev Anand, composer O.P. Nayyar, filmmaker Mrinal Sen and actor Uttam Kumar. The pattern is being seen as an effort to carry India's cultural legacy forward to a new generation.
Public reaction
Reactions to Modi's post were mixed, with many users thanking the Prime Minister for remembering Dr. Hazarika and suggesting a memorial or museum in his name, while some others raised questions about unrelated issues concerning the Northeast and pressed the government for accountability.
