RGU Concludes Year-Long Birth Centenary Celebrations of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika
GUWAHATI, September 3, 2026: The Assam Royal Global University (RGU) brought
the year-long celebrations marking the birth centenary of legendary cultural icon Dr. Bhupen Hazarika to a
befitting close today with reflection, conversation, poetry and music, celebrating the life, works and
enduring legacy of the Bard of the Brahmaputra.
A major highlight of the occasion was the release of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika: The Man and His Times by Dr. Manas
Chaudhuri, Padma Shri awardee, Managing Director and former Editor of The Shillong Times. Edited by Dr
Prasanta J Baruah & Dr Stuti Goswami, the publication marks another significant contribution by the Bhupen
Hazarika Centre for Creativity at RGU to the documentation and scholarly engagement with the life, ideas and
times of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika.
Welcoming the gathering, Prof. Amarjyoti Choudhury, Professor Emeritus and Chair Professor, Dr. Bhupen
Hazarika Centre for Creativity recalled a personal interaction with Dr. Hazarika from his younger days, and
spoke about the creative challenge that Bhupen Hazarika represented. He recalled having once asked Bhupen
Hazarika how he knew that something creative was about to emerge from within him. Reflecting on the question
decades later, Prof. Choudhury underlined the extraordinary creative vision and restless imagination that
defined Bhupen Hazarika’s life and work.
The occasion featured an address by Dr. Manas Chaudhuri, who shared several memories of Dr. Hazarika’s
association with Shillong. Recollecting the political and cultural milieu of Shillong in the 1970s, Dr.
Chaudhuri referred to Dr. Hazarika’s tenure as an independent legislator in the Shillong Assembly in 1974.
He described him as a magnetic personality and recalled how his songs captured the people and places around
him, including Shillong. Referring to the song “Shillongore Monalisa Lyngdoh,” he reflected on the
distinctive observational quality of Dr. Hazarika’s artistic expression.
The programme also featured a poignant poem recitation by Sattyakee D'com Bhuyan, adding a literary
dimension to the evening’s tribute. The musical segment brought together a distinguished ensemble of
performers, including renowned singers Anirban Das, Mayukh Hazarika and Dr. Maitrayee Patar.
The closing ceremony was graced by the presence of Dr. A. K. Pansari, Chancellor, The Assam Royal Global
University, Prof A K Buragohain, Vice Chancellor along with veteran singer Monisha Hazarika, artist Labu
Senapati and other distinguished guests, faculty members, students and members of the university community.
