Usha Mangeshkar to get Bhupen Hazarika Award at centenary event on Nov 29
Synopsis
Veteran playback singer Usha Mangeshkar will receive the ₹10 lakh Bhupen Hazarika Award on 29 November at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi — with PM Modi attending the centenary tribute to the Bharat Ratna-winning Assamese legend. It is a rare national-scale cultural event honouring a northeastern icon, bringing together the country's top political office and its musical heritage on one stage.
Key Takeaways
Usha Mangeshkar will be conferred the Bhupen Hazarika Award on 29 November 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi .
The award carries a cash prize of ₹10 lakh and recognises her lifetime contribution to Indian music.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend the centenary celebrations.
The event marks the 100th birth anniversary of Bhupen Hazarika , born on 8 September 1926 in Sadiya, Assam .
Hazarika was honoured with the Bharat Ratna posthumously in 2019 , and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1992 .
The announcement was made by Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma after a state Cabinet meeting on 23 October 2026 .
Veteran playback singer Usha Mangeshkar will be conferred the Bhupen Hazarika Award during the centenary celebrations of the legendary Assamese singer-composer, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Friday, 23 October 2026. The ceremony is scheduled for 29 November at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expected to attend.
About the Award and Its Significance
The Bhupen Hazarika Award carries a cash prize of ₹10 lakh and will be presented to Mangeshkar in recognition of her lifetime contribution to Indian music. Sarma made the announcement while addressing the media after a state Cabinet meeting in Guwahati. The participation of the Prime Minister is expected to lend national prominence to the centenary observance of one of India's most revered cultural figures.
Who Was Bhupen Hazarika
Born on 8 September 1926 in Sadiya, Assam, Bhupen Hazarika was widely celebrated as Sudhakantha — meaning the one with a melodious voice — for his richly distinctive vocal style and his ability to infuse social conscience into music. His compositions drew from Assamese folk traditions and addressed themes of humanity, social justice, communal harmony, and the dignity of ordinary lives.
Hazarika played a transformative role in carrying Assamese music and culture to national and international audiences. His songs, many of which reflected the struggles of marginalised communities and the spirit of human solidarity, remain embedded in India's broader cultural memory.
Awards and Recognitions in His Lifetime and Beyond
Hazarika received some of India's most prestigious honours across his career. He was awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1992 — India's highest recognition in cinema. He was also conferred the Padma Bhushan in 2001 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2012. In 2019, he was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour.
What the Centenary Celebrations Will Highlight
The 100th birth anniversary programme is designed to reaffirm Hazarika's enduring legacy as a cultural ambassador of Assam and the Northeast. Organisers expect the event to spotlight his contributions across music, cinema, and literature, underscoring the cross-regional resonance his work achieved during his lifetime and continues to hold today. Notably, this is among the first centenary tributes to a northeastern cultural icon to be held at the scale of Bharat Mandapam with the Prime Minister in attendance.
Point of View
Not just awards nights.
NationPress
23 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Bhupen Hazarika Award being given to Usha Mangeshkar?
The Bhupen Hazarika Award is a recognition instituted to honour contributions to Indian music, carrying a cash prize of ₹10 lakh. It will be presented to veteran playback singer Usha Mangeshkar on 29 November 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi during the centenary celebrations of the legendary Assamese singer-composer.
When and where is the Bhupen Hazarika centenary celebration?
The centenary celebration is scheduled for 29 November 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend the commemorative programme.
Why is Bhupen Hazarika considered a cultural icon?
Bhupen Hazarika, born on 8 September 1926 in Sadiya, Assam, was celebrated for music that blended Assamese folk traditions with themes of social justice, communal harmony, and human solidarity. He brought Assamese culture to a national and international audience and was honoured with the Bharat Ratna posthumously in 2019, along with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1992.
Who announced the Usha Mangeshkar felicitation and when?
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the felicitation on Friday, 23 October 2026, while addressing media after a state Cabinet meeting in Guwahati.
What other awards did Bhupen Hazarika receive during his lifetime?
Bhupen Hazarika received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1992, the Padma Bhushan in 2001, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2012. He was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna — India's highest civilian honour — in 2019.
