Google on September 8 paid tribute to Indian playback singer, lyricist, musician, poet, actor and filmmaker from Assam, whose songs written and sung mainly in the Assamese language himself, are marked by humanity and universal brotherhood.
Google has depicted a Doodle dedicated to Hazarika, celebrating his 96th birth anniversary.
Hazarika was born on this day in 1926 in Sadiya, Assam. As a child, he grew up surrounded by songs and folk tales about life along the Brahmaputra River. At a young age, Hazarika’s musical talents attracted the attention of renowned Assamese lyricist, Jyotiprasad Agarwala, and filmmaker, Bishnu Prasad Rabha—both doyens of Assam’s rich cultural history. They helped Hazarika record his first song, which launched his music career at 10 years old. By age 12, Hazarika was writing and recording songs for two films: Indramalati: Kaxote Kolosi Loi, and Biswo Bijoyi Naujawan. Acutely aware of the political dimensions of culture, Hazarika used his music to rouse the Assamese gentry during the bhasha andolan.
