GUWAHATI

A new feature-length Assamese documentary analyses the late Bhupen Hazarika’s songs, which chronicle social injustice and historical events.

The poster and trailer of the 82-minute Manuhar Gaan (The Hum of Humanity) were released in Guwahati on Saturday (August 22, 2026), a fortnight ahead of the conclusion of the music maestro’s birth centenary. Singer Manisha Hazarika, president of the Dr Bhupen Hazarika Cultural Trust, did the honours.

Hazarika, hailed as the Bard of Brahmaputra, was born on September 8, 1926. He passed away on November 5, 2011.

Filmmaker Utpal Borpujari, who scripted and directed the documentary, said the film seeks to make people beyond Assam and West Bengal aware of how many of Hazarika’s songs took up social and socio-political issues.

“India knows Dr Hazarika as a great musician, but very few outside the two States know the depth of his social commitment as an artiste, except perhaps for two songs Dil Hoom Hoom Kare and Ganga Behti Ho Kyon. This film strives to fill that gap, although one film cannot do justice to the huge expanse of his creative genius,” he said.

“It’s our tribute to the humanist that Dr Hazarika was. He wrote and sang songs across genres, ranging from the most-sensuous love ditty to songs celebrating Assam’s seasons, but it was his social responsibility that made him one of India’s most-important artistes ever,” Mr. Borpujari said.

Produced by Dolly Borpujari, Prabhat Chandra Borpujari and Abhijit Bhuyan under the banner of 92X26 Films, Manuhar Gaan took eight years to complete as it faced funding issues during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. A major portion of the film was shot in 2018. The remaining portions were filmed in 2025, and the editing was done subsequently.

“We have plans to release the unused footage, especially portions of interviews that could not be included in the final film, on YouTube later so that they can be of use for academics, researchers, and others interested in Dr Hazarika’s music,” Mr. Bhuyan said.

The film features the late Dilip Kumar Datta, who authored Bhupen Hazarikar Geet Aru Jiwan Rath (Bhupen Hazarika’s Songs and Life Chariot), the music maestro’s sister, the late Sudakshina Sarma, nephew, the late Hrishiraj Sarma, close associate, and the late Ratna Ojah and Dilip Hazarika, among others.

The crew of the film includes Chida Bora (cinematographer), the late Bhaskar Jyoti Das (associate director-editor), Diganta Bora (editor), Debajit Gayan (sound design), Uday Bhaskar Patar (assistant director), and Rituraj Shivam (second unit cameraman). Samudra Kajal Saikia designed the film’s poster.

Plea to rename train

Sarhad, a Pune-based foundation, has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to rename the Mumbai-Guwahati Express after Hazarika.

Sanjay Nahar, Sarhad’s founder-director, said his organisation had collaborated with the music maestro to plan various initiatives in the northeast through music to reduce violence. “Such initiatives continue to be undertaken after his demise, with the consent of his family,” he said.

He said Sarhad had been demanding since 2015 that the 15647/15648 Mumbai-Guwahati Express be renamed Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika Express.

“Dr. Hazarika was an important link between Mumbai and Guwahati. Naming the Mumbai-Guwahati Express after him during his birth centenary would be an ideal gift to the people of the northeast,” Mr. Nahar said.

Published – August 23, 2026 01:31 pm IST