“I firmly believe that human beings exist for one another, and life exists for life itself. That is why I sing for the oppressed. I believe that the day my songs cease will be the day of my death.”
These words encapsulate the philosophy that shaped the life and artistic journey of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika. Through his songs, writings and creative works, he gave voice to human struggles, hopes and aspirations. Coinciding with his birth centenary celebrations, Assam has witnessed the publication of ‘Manush Manusher Jonye’, a significant anthology of Bengali songs written, composed, translated and performed by Hazarika. The volume has been compiled and edited by noted Assamese music researcher and collector Monjit Rajkonwar.
The book was formally released in the presence of sculptor Biren Singha, Bhupen Hazarika’s close associate Surjya Hazarika, actor Pranjal Hazarika, academician Prof. Amalendu Chakraborty, Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, Assam Agriculture Minister Atul Bora, Sattriya maestro Jatin Goswami, filmmaker Manju Bora, Manisha Hazarika, wife of the late singer Jayanta Hazarika, and Manjula Hazarika.
Bhupen Hazarika belonged as much to Bengal as he did to Assam. Having spent a substantial part of his life in Kolkata, he developed a profound emotional and cultural bond with the Bengali language and its people. He was far more than a singer or composer. He was a writer, filmmaker, painter and a humanist intellectual whose creativity transcended artistic boundaries.
Music was his chosen medium to connect with people. Through his songs, he transformed complex social and political realities into accessible and deeply moving artistic expressions. His Bengali musical journey began in 1954, less than a decade after India’s independence. Though Assamese by birth, he soon became a beloved figure in Bengal, and his songs found a place in countless Bengali homes.
In the album Ami Ek Jajabar, he famously wrote, “Rabindranath lives in my heart and Nazrul in my consciousness.” The statement reflects both his admiration for Bengal’s literary traditions and his deep affection for the cultural landscape of the state he considered his second homeland.
The anthology ‘Manush Manusher Jonye’ brings together 164 Bengali songs associated with Bhupen Hazarika. The collection includes translations of his original Assamese songs, Bengali adaptations based on Assamese melodies, and songs written by eminent Bengali lyricists and set to his music. The book also features several essays, album notes and writings by Hazarika that offer invaluable insight into his artistic vision and philosophy.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is its meticulous documentation. Considerable effort has been made to accurately identify the lyricists, translators, composers and performers of each song. Information has been verified through gramophone records, record booklets, HMV publications, festival magazines and film booklets.
The volume also addresses longstanding questions regarding the origins of many of Hazarika’s Bengali songs, clarifying whether they were translations from Assamese or original Bengali compositions. As such, the book serves not only as a collection of songs but also as an important research document on the musical and cultural exchanges between Assam and Bengal.
More than a song anthology, ‘Manush Manusher Jonye’ stands as a tribute to Bhupen Hazarika’s enduring humanism, his love for the Bengali language and his unique role in building a lasting cultural bridge between Assam and Bengal.
