Google is celebrating the 96th birth anniversary of much-celebrated, legendary singer Bhupen Hazarika through its iconic doodle.
Hazarika was the epitome of art who presented himself to the world through his music, singing, poetry, filmmaking, and lyrics which have been on display in multiple artistic works, besides working in hundred-plus films in his career spanning over six decades.
Apart from his artistic journey, Hazarika served as an MLA in the Assam Assembly during 1967-72. The doodle on display featuring Hazarika playing the harmonium was created by Rutuja Mali a Mumbai-based guest artist.
Hazarika was born on September 8, 1926, in Assam, his upbringing was surrounded by songs and folk tales about life alongside the Brahmaputra River. His involvement was so much in the singing and folk tales that he recorded his first-ever song aged 10.
Hazarika completed his intermediate in 1942 in Arts from the historic Banaras Hindu University in 1946. Upon the completion of his education here Hazarika left for New York where he stayed for five years and completed his doctorate degree in Mass Communication from Columbia University in 1952.
Hazarika began singing at All India Radio in Guwahati upon his return and was also hired by people in the business to translate Bengali songs to Hindi, besides lending his melodious voice to those songs.
Hazarika created numerous compositions, having a penchant for telling people stories about others in the form of songs, which were generally based on happiness, grief, unity, courage, romance, and loneliness.
The legendary singer has given his voice to the songs in the superhit films like 'Rudali', 'Mil Gayi Manzil Mujhe', 'Saj', 'Darmiyan', 'Gajgamini', 'Daman', and 'Kyun'.
Hazarika won several prestigious awards including the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, Padma Shri, and Padma Bhushan, for his outstanding contribution to music and culture.
Eventually, Hazarika was conferred with the highest civilian honor of the country, ‘Bharat Ratna’ posthumously.