PM Modi to attend Bhupen Hazarika birth centenary finale at Bharat Mandapam on Nov 29
Synopsis
Prime Minister Modi will personally attend the grand finale of Bhupen Hazarika's birth centenary on 29 November at Bharat Mandapam — and will present a newly-created national award in the Bard of the Brahmaputra's name. With Kavita Krishnamurthy, Shankar Mahadevan, and Shreya Ghoshal performing for 5,000 guests, the event is set to be the most prominent cultural tribute of the year.
Key Takeaways
PM Narendra Modi will attend the Bhupen Hazarika birth centenary grand finale at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi on 29 November .
Modi will present the newly-instituted 'Bharat Ratna Dr.
Bhupen Hazarika Award' at the event.
Around 5,000 guests, cultural enthusiasts and dignitaries are expected to attend.
Singers Kavita Krishnamurthy , Shankar Mahadevan , and Shreya Ghoshal will perform musical tributes.
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma chaired the final preparatory meeting of the Centenary Celebration Committee on Friday in Dispur .
Hazarika, known as the 'Bard of the Brahmaputra' , was a posthumous recipient of the Bharat Ratna .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the grand finale of the year-long celebrations marking the 100th birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhupen Hazarika at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on 29 November. The event will also see Modi present the newly-instituted 'Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Award', a permanent honour established in the legendary singer's name.
Final Preparations Reviewed
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday chaired a meeting of the Centenary Celebration Committee at Lok Sewa Bhawan in Dispur, reviewing the final arrangements for the landmark event. The meeting was attended by Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu, Revenue Minister Keshab Mahanta, Animal Husbandry, Veterinary and Fisheries Minister Nilima Devi, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Ashwini Ray Sarkar, Chief Secretary-in-charge Ajay Tiwari, senior government officials, and eminent cultural personalities.
Sarma sought suggestions from committee members to ensure the finale serves as a befitting tribute to the cultural icon. He stressed the need to showcase Hazarika's artistic legacy and carry his timeless creations to a wider international audience.
A Stage Set for 5,000 Guests and Musical Legends
The grand finale is expected to bring together approximately 5,000 admirers, distinguished guests, and cultural enthusiasts from across the country. Renowned artists — including Kavita Krishnamurthy, Shankar Mahadevan, and Shreya Ghoshal — will perform musical tributes honouring Hazarika's immense contribution to Indian music and culture.
Who Was Bhupen Hazarika
Popularly known as the 'Bard of the Brahmaputra', Dr. Bhupen Hazarika remains one of India's most celebrated cultural figures. His compositions, deeply rooted in the social and cultural ethos of Assam, transcended linguistic and geographical boundaries, earning him a distinguished place in the country's cultural heritage. He was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour, in recognition of his transformative impact on music, literature, and humanist philosophy.
The Broader Message
Chief Minister Sarma underscored that the culmination of the year-long celebrations should reflect the stature of an artist whose music and poetry enriched both Assam and the nation. He emphasised carrying forward Hazarika's message of humanity, harmony, and universal brotherhood to future generations — and strengthening international recognition of his contributions. The grand finale is envisioned not merely as a commemorative event, but as a platform to project India's composite cultural identity on a global stage.
Point of View
And associating the Centre with a beloved regional icon strengthens that bond. The creation of a new national award in Hazarika's name is a soft-power move that elevates Assamese cultural identity to a pan-India platform. What's worth watching is whether the 'Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Award' becomes an institutionalised annual honour with transparent selection criteria, or remains a one-time commemorative gesture. The event's framing — carrying Hazarika's 'universal brotherhood' message to international audiences — also signals Assam's ambition to project its cultural capital beyond its northeastern geography.
NationPress
23 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the Bhupen Hazarika birth centenary grand finale?
The grand finale is scheduled for 29 November at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. It marks the culmination of a year-long programme celebrating the 100th birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhupen Hazarika.
What is the Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Award?
It is a newly-instituted national award established in honour of the legendary Assamese singer Dr. Bhupen Hazarika. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to present it for the first time at the 29 November grand finale event.
Which artists will perform at the Bhupen Hazarika centenary finale?
Renowned singers Kavita Krishnamurthy, Shankar Mahadevan, and Shreya Ghoshal are among those scheduled to pay musical tribute to Hazarika. The event is expected to draw around 5,000 guests and cultural enthusiasts from across India.
Who is overseeing the preparations for the centenary finale?
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma chaired the final preparatory meeting of the Centenary Celebration Committee at Lok Sewa Bhawan in Dispur on Friday. Several Assam cabinet ministers, the Chief Secretary-in-charge, and eminent cultural figures attended the meeting.
Who was Bhupen Hazarika and why is he celebrated?
Dr. Bhupen Hazarika was one of India's most celebrated musicians, poets, and filmmakers, widely known as the 'Bard of the Brahmaputra'. His compositions, rooted in Assamese social and cultural life, transcended linguistic barriers and earned him the Bharat Ratna — India's highest civilian honour — awarded posthumously.
