Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday, 27 September 2026, visited Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi to personally review arrangements for the grand closing ceremony of the centenary celebrations of Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika, the legendary singer, composer and cultural icon widely known as 'Sudhakantha'. The visit signals the Assam government's intent to make the concluding programme a landmark tribute to one of India's most celebrated musical figures.

What CM Sarma Inspected

During his visit, CM Sarma took stock of the facilities, stage arrangements and overall preparedness at Bharat Mandapam ahead of the culminating event. The chief minister indicated that the programme is being curated to match the scale of Hazarika's enduring legacy across Indian music and culture.

Sharing details on social media platform X, Sarma wrote: 'Visited Bharat Mandapam today to review the facilities and preparations for the grand closing ceremony of the centenary celebrations of Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhupen Hazarika. We are curating an unforgettable tribute, one truly befitting the legacy of Sudhakantha.'

Who Was Bhupen Hazarika

Dr Bhupen Hazarika was born on 8 September 1926 in Assam and became one of the most distinctive voices in Indian music. His compositions drew extensively from the cultural traditions and lived realities of the Northeast, addressing themes of humanity, social harmony, equality and the everyday lives of ordinary people. His influence extended well beyond Assam, resonating across India and internationally.

Hazarika was conferred the Bharat Ratna — India's highest civilian honour — posthumously in 2019. He had earlier received the Padma Vibhushan and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, among several other major national recognitions.

Year-Long Centenary Programme

The closing ceremony at Bharat Mandapam is set to mark the culmination of a year-long series of events commemorating Hazarika's life, music and cultural contributions. The Assam government has positioned the centenary as an opportunity not only to honour his legacy but also to introduce his body of work to younger generations across the country.

The final event is expected to bring together cultural personalities, dignitaries and performing artistes for a large-scale tribute. Notably, Bharat Mandapam — a premier convention and exhibition complex in the heart of New Delhi — lends the ceremony a national platform befitting the stature of the iconic musician and filmmaker.

Significance of the Centenary

This centenary comes amid a broader national effort to spotlight regional cultural figures whose influence rivals that of better-known pan-Indian icons. Hazarika's work — spanning music, cinema and literature — remains a cornerstone of Northeast India's cultural identity and has gained renewed attention through streaming platforms and digital archives in recent years. The Assam government's decision to close the centenary year with a New Delhi event underscores the state's push to position Hazarika as a national, not merely regional, heritage figure.